Meet New Educators at Our Schools

Patch gets to know the newest teachers in the area. Today we introduce you to Ellen Ziliak, a mathematics instructor at Benedictine University.

Name: Ellen Ziliak, Ph.D.

Current town: Oswego

Department/Courses taught: Mathematics and Computer Science/Calculus II and Discrete Math

Would you ever teach any other subject? Which ones and why? It is not very likely that I will teach any other subject.  My research is related to algorithms, so maybe far down the road I would teach a topics class that might have a hint of computer science.

Total number of years teaching (and where, if preferred): I am starting my seventh year. Prior to Benedictine, I taught at Colorado State University.

Where did you complete your undergrad, and why? University of Evansville.  I chose the school for three reasons: they had all of the majors I was interested in at the time (mathematics, education and computer science), it had Division I spring board diving, and it was located within five hours of my hometown of St. Louis.

Have you participated in any field or laboratory research throughout your career? Not really, I am a pure mathematician, so my area of research does not lend itself readily to field or laboratory research.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were a student? Why? I have had several, but I guess I would choose Dr. Joe Stickles, who was my undergraduate advisor. I think he was a great teacher because he cared a lot about his students and he got to know them on an individual basis. I enjoyed the way he put in extra personal stories to make lectures more memorable. He was my inspiration to go on and become a mathematics professor.

What do you think is the most effective teaching method? Some combination of teacher-guided instruction and collaborative group learning.

Any interesting class moments so far? Not yet. Right now I am just getting to know my class, things get more interesting once we are all more comfortable with each other.

How much out-of-class work do you assign? One assignment per lecture period due once a week.

What's your most prized possession on your desk, in your office or workspace? I am a bit of a minimalist, however I guess I would have to say pictures of my family.

Where do you spend the most time on campus? In the Birck Hall of Science.

Favorite "college" movie:  "Old School"

Least favorite "college" movie: I don't think I have one.

What are your outside interests? I enjoy being in nature, I like to hike, bike, run, walk and camp, and since I went to school in Colorado, I like to ski.

Do you frequent any Lisle restaurants for coffee/lunch/snacks? If so, which ones? I am pretty new to the area so I haven't yet had a chance to explore the restaurant scene near campus.  I hope to get out more in the near future and see what the area has to offer.