Math Department
Andrea Adams, Southwest inclusion teacher, is a 2004 graduate of Texas State University – San Marcos. Ms. Adams started teaching at SHS in 2007. Ms. Adams teaches Algebra I, Geometry and Math Models. “I was voted Gallardian (class favorite) at SWT in fall 2002. I was a coach up until the current school year. I write poetry and play guitar. I teach because I love to see students accomplish great things.”
Cherie Burkett, a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, began teaching in 1991. Ms. Burkett arrived at SHS in 2005. She currently teaches Algebra II and History of Mathematics. “I have taught every Math course the state of Texas has to offer.”
Charles Haley is the Lead Content Teacher for the math department. He came to Southwest HS in 2007 after starting his teaching career at Dunbar HS in 2004. Mr. Haley graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1973 with a BS in Mathematics. He also has Masters Degrees in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology and in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. After retiring from the US Air Force, he served 11 years as a Minister of Education. At Southwest Mr. Haley has taught AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, Ordinary Differential Equations, and Precalculus. He is a sponsor of the National Honor Society. In his free time, he enjoys golf, serving in his church, and spending time with family.
Lynda Hicks started at SHS in 2008. Ms. Hicks started teaching high school in 2007. She has prior experience as a Teaching Assistant in college. Ms. Hicks graduated from University of Southern Miss with a Master's degree in Psychology and LSU in Shreveport with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Classes taught: Math of Models, Survey of Math, History of Math, TAKS tutoring
Heather Hines started at Southwest in 2008. Ms. Hines currently teaches History of Math (9th grade), Math Models, and Algebra II Honors. She graduated from Midwestern State University with Bachelors in Accounting and a teaching certificate in secondary Math. She intends to start working on her Masters in Mathematics in the fall. And she has three little boys.
Don Morland started teaching in 1975 after graduating from Texas Wesleyan. Mr. Morland has been teaching Geometry at Southwest since 2007.
Adam Nicholson began his teaching career here at Southwest in September 2009. Mr. Nicholson graduated from Abilene Christian University in May 1998 with a BS and in 2002 with his Master’s Degree. He teaches Algebra I and Algebra I/H. Mr. Nicholson is married to his wife Jennifer (a Math teacher at North Side High School) since 2002. They have 2 Dachshunds (weiner dogs), named Hermano and Franklin.
Marco Petrilli graduated from Penn State University in 1985 with an Electrical Engineering degree and came to Fort Worth as a systems engineer on the F-16 fighter jet at General Dynamics. In 1988, he moved to Greenwich Village, NYC working as a recording engineer, music producer, and internationally touring musician. He moved back to Fort Worth to raise his two young sons in a proper house and so joined Southwest H.S. in 2006. He is now teaching Geometry and a Contemporary Music Academy recording ensemble-- an innovative course bridging the gap between the band department and media tech program. He extends an open audition invitation to students who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, & singer/songwriters.
Charles Reidl
Ned Smith started teaching in 2002 after graduating from Florida State University. Mr. Smith has been teaching Algebra II and Geometry at Southwest since 2008. He is also a football and track coach.
Shane Szymanski started his teaching career in 2005 after graduating from Texas Tech University. Mr. Szymanski has been teaching Algebra I since 2007. Coach Szymanski coached football, baseball, basketball and track for his first two years of teaching.
Lemuel Taylor
Charlene Trotter started teaching at Southwest in 2000. She got her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education/ 1st teaching field - mathematics/ 2nd teaching field - English at University of North Texas. She presently teaches Honors and Regular PreCalculus - 4 classes and 2 PS Math. Ms. Trotter has taught every math course from 7th grade math thru AP Calculus, plus Linear Algebra and Analytic Geometry. “I have traveled quite a bit throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Love it!!! Traveling gives one a broader perspective on people, customs, history, art, nature, climates, etc.”
Jennifer Wentworth was inspired to be a math teacher during her high school Geometry class. She majored in Mathematics at Baylor University and then earned her Masters in Math Education at The University of Texas at Austin. After graduation Jennifer had the opportunity to teach math for a year in Juticalpa, Honduras, which allowed her to teach and travel around Central America. She has been teaching since 2003 and has been at Southwest High School since 2008. She teaches Algebra II and Geometry, as well as being involved in the Southwest Academy of Petroleum Engineering and Technology (SAPET).