My name is Eddie Gibba, and I teach 6th grade math. This is my 19th year of teaching.  I taught 5th grade for my first 9 years, then made the jump to the middle school level where I have split my years between the 7th and 6th grade levels.

As far I my schooling goes, I received a BA in philosophy from the University of California, Irvine in 1996. After this, I wandered a bit, taking various jobs around the country (fish factories in Alaska, ranch hand in Montana, Toys “r” Us in Florida to name a few) before returning to school to receive a teaching credential. I received this from Pacific Oaks College in Pasaena, California in 2001.

 My wife and I met while teaching in California.  The topsy turvy climate of budget cuts led us to strike a new path and make the move to Idaho in 2010.  Fast forward 11 years, and we now have our own son who is ready to embark upon his educational journey in the Middleton School District (Wesley is 6, and will be a first grader at Mill Creek Elementary School :)).  Also, I am lucky enough to work with a great math department, which includes my amazing wife (who teaches 8th grade at the middle school)!  

As a teacher of middle school students, I believe the most important quality that I can have is patience. What I attempt to communicate to my students throughout the year, what I most want them to know, is that no matter how many mistakes they make (whether it be in math or even a poor behavior choice), I will always be there to help them. In fact, I would like them to know that making mistakes is essential to the learning process (of course, I will lead by example, and make many of my own mistakes throughout the year :)).  Once students understand this about me, I feel that the classroom can be a place where communication lines are open and no one is afraid to make a mistake. With each year comes a new journey with new students, but the destination I hope that my students reach at the end of our year together is always the same – a belief in oneself and a determination to overcome obstacles.

A trio of quotes from John Wooden, (with whom I share a birthday) always helps to focus me in my job

"If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything."

“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”

“Success is never final, failure is never fatal, it is courage that counts.”