Sahuaro High School is excited to welcome a new addition to the math department, Mr. Dee. With a background that spans teaching physical education, military service, and now math, Mr. Dee is ready to impact students by applying real-world knowledge in his classes.
Before joining Sahuaro, he taught physical education at Roberts-Naylor K-8 here in Tucson for four years. This role gave him valuable information in classroom management and working with students. “I had some experience with Boy Scouts, but I didn’t have experience working in a public school, so working with those kids gave me a lot of joy,” he reflected. “I enjoyed doing it, but it got hot out there. I just tried to do something a little bit more inside.”
With five years of PE experience and a passion for teaching through the military for four years, Mr. Dee is starting a new journey by teaching financial math and algebra. He sees financial math as a valuable opportunity for students to learn skills they will need and use throughout their lives. When asked why he switched to math, Mr. Dee explained that the opportunity to teach financial math interested him. “I thought this is a good time to give students the last little bit of knowledge that could apply to the real world, something they could definitely see using,” he said. “Budgeting, buying a car, buying a house, paying rent for an apartment, I could see a bunch of real-world applications to financial math.”
His approach to teaching is rooted in real-life scenarios, helping students see the relevance of the lessons they’re learning. His goals for this year are simple yet inspiring. “I want to take the curriculum provided to me and add different aspects to different projects that’ll bring what we’re going through on the computer into a real-life scenario.” His approach to teaching aligns perfectly with his belief in practical learning.
At home, Mr. Dee has three cats, a wife, and two children. His daughter has just enrolled at Pima Community College, and his son is enjoying his senior year at Sabino High School. When he’s not teaching or spending time with his family, he enjoys a variety of outdoor activities. “Transitioning jobs is very time-consuming,” he explains. “But when I do have free time, I enjoy bicycle riding, mostly around the loop in Tucson. I also like camping and fishing.”
Now settled at Sahuaro, Mr. Dee is excited about what lies ahead. “It’s a fun, vibrant campus,” he said. “There’s a lot going on and I really enjoy being a part of it. I’m happy to be a Cougar.” With his unique blend of military, teaching, and life experience, Mr. Dee is sure to make a lasting impression on Sahuaro’s students, preparing them for life beyond the classroom.
