Math Whiz: Mario Rada

By DANIEL PERRY
Special to the Star

There was a time when Mario Rada was not good at mathematics.
“I struggled for some reason,” said the San Benito native and Harlingen resident. “When I got to The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, I had Dr. Olivia Garcia as an instructor. I took the intermediate math class and everything just clicked and everything has been simple.”
Now Rada teaches pre-calculus and pre-advanced placement algebra II at Harlingen High School South.
“I just like to explain things students might have difficulties with,” he said. “For me, it’s just fun. It’s like a puzzle.”
He said students who have difficulties in mathematics should not be afraid to ask questions, get tutoring or work together with classmates to solve problems.
Rada, 35, is scheduled to graduate in May with a master’s degree in mathematics from UTB/TSC. During spring semester he is doing a teaching practicum serving as a teaching assistant for an evening college algebra class twice a week at the university’s Off-Campus Teaching Site at Los Fresnos High School.
“It’s a little more rigorous and it’s a faster pace,” Rada said about teaching college students. “Whatever you cover for one year in high school, the students get it four to five months.”
Rada said the biggest challenge in teaching, studying and attending classes has been grading homework and tests.
He attended summer sessions to get ahead on his master’s work.
“I think summer classes are better because it refreshes you on a daily basis,” he said.
After graduation, Rada wants to bring dual credit college-level mathematics courses to Harlingen South. He said doing this could encourage students to try harder to pursue higher levels of mathematics.
Rada is a graduate of San Benito High School and has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from UTB/TSC.
He enjoys spending time with his wife, Jenifer, watching “American Idol” and “Smallville” and cheering on his favorite basketball team, the San Antonio Spurs.

Daniel Perry is an informational writer at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. For mor information, log on to www.utb.edu.