Ms. Dudek joins LHS math department
October 6, 2021
CC: Why did you decide to become a math teacher?
Elizabeth Dudek: I didn’t want to work in a profession where I would do the same thing hour after hour. I enjoyed school and my teachers made teaching look enjoyable. I liked that each group of students would make the job interesting and different. I also wanted to go into a profession that would allow me to have a lot of time home with my own children when I had them.
CC: What is your number one rule in your classroom?
ED: Give your best effort.
CC: How long have you been teaching?
ED: I taught for 15 years at Palmer High School
CC: What made you decide to teach the subject you teach?
ED: I always like math in school. I like that there is a process and a correct answer.
CC: What is the biggest takeaway from teaching so far? “… all students can be successful, all students may get there different ways but they can all be successful.” — Elizabeth Dudek
ED: That all students can be successful, all students may get there different ways but they can all be successful.
CC: What is something your students have taught you?
ED: Patience and being calm goes a long way.
CC: Who was your biggest role model?
ED: My Freshman and Junior year Math teacher Mrs. Rosenberg really encouraged us all to succeed in math and work hard. My parents were my role models. They showed me that hard work causes success and that I should enter a profession that I would like. My younger sister was also a role model. She is only 4’11” but doesn’t let that stop her from doing anything.
CC: How do you like teaching at LHS?
ED: Teaching at LHS is great, everyone is so nice, helpful and welcoming. My students are eager to learn and work hard.
CC: What is the most challenging thing about teaching and how do you deal with it?
ED: The most challenging thing about teaching is getting the unmotivated student to participate and complete work. I just keep trying to help the student and seeing if there is a reason they are not completing work. Sometimes it helps if I find something besides math to talk about with the student and make a connection.
CC: Where did you grow up, and go to school? Tell us a bit about it.
ED: I grew up in Hicksville, NY which is on Long Island. Most people on Long Island know Hicksville for being the first big stop on the Long Island Rail Road after you get out of the city. There are a lot more people and traffic and a lot fewer trees and green space. I graduated in a class of 364 students. I competed with the high school marching band and indoor Colorguard. I also danced. There is also more of a variety of stores and more that are open 24 hours. I never realized that Mcdonald’s actually closed before I moved here. I met my husband at Sacred Heart University after we graduated, we lived on Long Island for a few years but always knew we wanted to move to Belchertown before we had kids. It is quieter, has fewer people, more green space, and his parents were retired and were willing to watch our kids. I love living in Western Mass and it’s great that my in-laws still watch my boys (Ben grade 6 and Luke grade 8) before school every day.
