• Mr. Chad Erbrecht
    Mathematics Teacher

    Background:

    I am a graduate of Grove City College with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education, and a Master of Arts in Education from California Univerity of Pennsylvania.  I started my career teaching 5 years in the Fairfax County Public School System teaching Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Honors Algebra 1, and Honors Geometry in 8th grade. I started working at Upper St. Clair in the fall of 2009 teaching at both Fort Couch Middle School and Upper St. Clair High School.  I have been the co-sponsor for the Ultimate Frisbee Club, the Archery Club, and chaperone ski trips with the ski club.  
    I am currently teaching Honors Goemetry, Academic Geometry, Conceptual Geometry, and Differentiated Math.
    I can be reached by:

    Phone: 412-833-1600  x2636     Email: cerbrecht@uscsd.k12.pa.us

    Courses Taught:

    Honors and Academic Geometry:  By the end of this course, you will have experienced the major components of Euclidian geometry, as well as some exposure to non-Euclidian geometries. Topics will include, but are not limited to, fundamental geometric thought, geometric shapes, transformations, and basic geometric reasoning and proofs.

    How to be successful in Geometry:

    Geometry is similar to other math courses because new material is built on the knowledge of previous material.  The material continues to build on itself throughout the year.  Geometry also varies from other math courses, however. In Geometry, students will have the opportunity to learn the process of how math was created.  In this class, students will be exposed to numerous definitions, postulates, and theorems.  I refer these generally as “the Theory.”  Success will depend on a long-term working knowledge of these items.  Items studied in early chapters will continuously show up throughout the remainder of the course.  For this reason, it will be important that the students take certain measures to help ensure a long-term understanding of those items.  Methods to accomplish this will be suggested in class, but it is the student’s responsibility to decide to use those methods.  Never before has it been necessary to study “theory” in previous math courses.  Focus on the theory first, and the ability to solve the problems and do proofs will come as a result of that theory.  Success in Geometry is a by-product of knowing this theory well first.

    My first and most useful strategy to accomplish this is to study that day's notes for 10-15 minutes each night.  Before beginning the homework assignment, reviewing the definitions, postulates, and theorems “the theory” from that day’s lesson.  Remember this is far more beneficial if it's done before beginning the nightly homework. Students should review the items again before quizzes, and then again before the chapter test.  This will allow students to study the material several times in order to transition that material into long-term memory.  Last minute cramming of the definitions, postulates, and theorems will most likely lead to short-term knowledge, and a lack of understanding.  This type of studying causes short term knowledge of the material and will gradually lead to struggles later in the course.  Not studying these items at all, or cramming these items the night before the assessment tends to result in lower performance as the school year progresses.  Laying a proper foundation of the theory in the first several chapters is critical to success.  I hope this helps!