Authors & Principal Investigators

Philip Hotchkiss has been teaching college mathematics since 1994 and at Westfield State College since 1998. His most formative mathematical experiences as a student came when working in small groups. It was in these small groups that he really discovered his love for mathematics and teaching. These small groups helped foster his mathematical curiosity and helped form the basis for his belief in Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL).

When Philip began teaching, he used the traditional lecture style in his classes since he didn't know any other way to teach. Through his work with colleagues at previous institutions and involvement in Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching, a program for new and recent PhD's in Mathematics) he slowly began to experiment with collaborative learning and other non-traditional teaching methods. Upon arriving at Westfield he started to learn more about IBL and now uses it almost exclusively in all his classes.

Philip really enjoys the closer interactions with his students and the opportunities for deeper mathematical understanding that the inquiry classroom provides. Not only does he believe this has made him a better teacher, it has also made him a better mathematician.

Philip earned his B.S. in Mathematics from Union College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from The University at Albany, the State University of New York. He taught at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania; Rhodes College in Memphis, TN; and at The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN before coming to Westfield.

Volker Ecke loves being in the midst of learning and teaching. He feels that it is truly a gift to be present when people discover new connections, when they apply their understanding to new situations, when they integrate new insights with prior understanding, and when they learn to trust their abilities to approach a new situation with curiosity and confidence. Dr. Ecke is passionate about supporting teachers and faculty in exploring ways to support all their students.

Dr. Ecke is a co-founder and member of the leadership team of the New England Community for Inquiry-Based Learning, which in turn is part of the national Communities for Mathematics Inquiry in Teaching Network (COMMIT) Network.

After undergraduate studies in mathematics and physics at the Universität Konstanz (Germany), Dr. Ecke earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He spent his professional career at a public university in the New England area.

Dr. Ecke is grateful to the academic community of NE-COMMIT for allowing him to practice and constantly refine this art; grateful for his colleagues for giving him the freedom and support to dive deeply into this inquiry himself; grateful to his students for inspiring him in co-creating and living in a learning community.

Christine von Renesse is a passionate teacher, who loves teaching at all levels — from elementary school through College. She uses open inquiry techniques in all her classes, believing that this is the most effective and enjoyable way of learning and teaching. Her students learn to take responsibility, to think independently and to enjoy the endeavor of challenging questions with growing confidence.

The mathematics for liberal arts classes at Westfield State University allow Christine to bring her passion for dance and music into her mathematics life, exploring the deeper connections together with her students. In the mathematics courses for future K-12 teachers she brings her students into the classrooms, collaborating with the teachers in finding effective ways to explore mathematics together.

Christine is also part of the leadership team of the New England Community for Inquiry-Based Learning, which is turn is part of the national COMMIT network.

In her free time Christine loves to explore nature, sing in harmony and go dancing, especially with her daughter.

Christine has a Master's Degree in Elementary Education, a Minor in Music and a Master's Degree in Mathematics from the Technical University Berlin, Germany. After receiving her Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, she is now a professor at Westfield State University.