Jamie Covell Math Instructor I graduated from University of California San Diego with a BA in Music and got my California Teaching Credential through their program two years later. My master’s degree was in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University Bakersfield followed by a supplement to my credential in Mathematics. I have roughly forty years teaching experience in both public and private schools. I retired from Tri-City Christian Schools, Vista, California in May 2024, after 21 years teaching Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Business Math. My husband and I celebrated our 50th anniversary last year with an evening spent with 50 friends and family at a dinner hosted by our 3 now adult children. Course Description Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra introduces students to higher level mathematics. The curriculum covers many components including order of operations, equations, fractions, decimals, ratios, exponents, probability, inequalities, and graphing. Students should start the course with a strong foundation in the operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Algebra 1 Algebra 1 is the gateway to all higher mathematics. The curriculum covers equations (including 2 variable equations), inequalities, exponents, functions, linear and proportional relationships, scientific notation, square and cubic roots, quadratics, and factoring. Students should start the course with the ability to solve basic, two-step, and multi-step equations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Students should be able to solve and graph inequalities, use formulas (including unit conversions), solve percent equations and proportions, perform fraction/decimal conversions, evaluate operations with positive and negative exponents, evaluate using substitution for both one variable expressions and ordered pairs, and determine if a series of ordered pairs is a function.