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The Payton Math Department believes that students learn best when they are actively doing mathematics. Our courses take a problem-solving based approach, in which ideas arise in multiple representations (numeric, graphical, symbolic, and verbal/contextual). We incorporate technology where it is enriching; we use the Nspire+CAS calculator in class and on homework to explore ideas and hone skills, but also use Mathematica, Geometer's Sketchpad, Fathom, and other software. We value both pure mathematics and proof along with investigations, discovery, and applications. We take a varied approach to meet the learning needs of all of our students.
The Payton Math Department believes that students learn best when they are actively doing mathematics. Our courses take a problem-solving based approach, in which ideas arise in multiple representations (numeric, graphical, symbolic, and verbal/contextual). We incorporate technology where it is enriching; we use the Nspire+CAS calculator in class and on homework to explore ideas and hone skills, but also use Mathematica, Geometer's Sketchpad, Fathom, and other software. We value both pure mathematics and proof along with investigations, discovery, and applications. We take a varied approach to meet the learning needs of all of our students.
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Paul Karafiol
[Department Chair]
Paul Karafiol has been teaching for twelve years, at Phillips Academy, Andover, Providence-St. Mel School, and since Fall of 2000, at Walter Payton College Prep. Mr. Karafiol graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. in Philosophy in 1992 and received an A.M. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1994, specializing in ethics and logic. He created Walter Payton's student development program, was an initial sponsor of the Gay-Straight Alliance, and has coached the math team since the school's opening. Mr. Karafiol also created and continues to supervise the PALS peer mentoring program, in which upperclass students run freshman orientation and freshman advisory lessons. Mr. Karafiol coaches the developmental team for the Chicago Area All-Star Math Team, for which he also co-authors the tryouts. He is the head author of the national ARML competition, and a co-author of the textbooks Advanced Algebra Third Edition and Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry Third Edition from the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. Mr. Karafiol is one of two 9-12 directors on the Board of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics and serves on the appeals committee at the ICTM State Math Contest. In 2007, Mr. Karafiol achieved National Board Certification. Mr. Karafiol has spoken at a variety of local and national conferences, including Mathfest (summer meeting of the Mathematical Association of America), NCTM National and Regional conferences, and the Metropolitan Math Club annual Conference of Workshops.
Website: sites.wpcp.org/karafiolp
Scott Galson
Scott Galson earned his B.A. in economics and psychology from Colby College and his M.S. in mathematics education from Northwestern University. In 2008, he achieved National Board Certification, and received the Siemens AP Teacher of the Year award for Illinois. Scott came to education after working in economic forecasting. Scott is the dean of the Class of 2012 and a math team coach. He and his wife enjoy the outdoors and love to bike, hike, and ski with their two sons. Before moving out to Illinois in 2003 from New England, Scott and his wife lived for two years in Suriname, South America as volunteers in the Peace Corps.
Website: sites.wpcp.org/galsons
Byron Espinoza
Byron Espinoza earned his B.A. in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined the Walter Payton team in 2005. He is a coach for the math team, sponsors a gaming club, and recently became part of the Instructional Leadership Team. He enjoys trying out new technology, and routinely uses software such as Geometer’s Sketchpad and Mathematica in his classroom.
Georgia Tolias
Georgia Tolias joined the Payton faculty in 2005 after having spent the previous 12 years as a full-time mathematics professor at Purdue University Calumet and DePaul University. She completed her doctorate in mathematics education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993. Dr. Tolias is excited to be a coach for Payton's Math Team and enjoys cooking, dancing, and traveling in her spare time.
Michael Caines
Michael Caines obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from the University of Chicago in 2001, and, after succumbing to his affinity for math, went on to earn a Master of Science in Teaching Mathematics degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2008. After a year of teaching at Lane Tech High School, he has joined the team at Walter Payton and is eager to begin. Michael enjoys coaching math team, and he is involved in the newly-formed Chicago Junior Mathematics League. His other interests include: reading, cruciverbalism, Warhammer 40K, Magic: The Gathering, Rock Band, and, when he is not feeling lazy, exercise.
McKendry Marano
McKendry Marano is starting his teaching career at Walter Payton College Prep. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.S. in mathematics and computer science in 2005, where he was a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. After realizing he wanted to pursue teaching as a career, McKendry earned his Masters in Teaching (M.T.) from the University of Virginia in 2007. He then moved up to Philadelphia, where he has spent the past two years volunteering with City Year, an AmeriCorps program that specializes in tutoring, mentoring, and running after school programs for inner city kids at schools. Besides teaching McKendry is passionate about the environment and traveling.
Jill Tani
Jill Tani joined the Math Department at Walter Payton in 2008. She began her career as an actuarial and benefits analyst for Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Having decided to leave the corporate world, Ms.Tani spent several years as a classroom assistant at Near North Montessori School. She holds degrees in Mathematics and French from Grinnell College and is currently working towards her Master's Degree at National-Louis University. Aside from shaping the minds of young mathematicians, Ms. Tani enjoys laughing at her own jokes and spending time with her husband and dog.
Laura Kaplan
Coming soon.
Paul Karafiol
[Department Chair]
Paul Karafiol has been teaching for twelve years, at Phillips Academy, Andover, Providence-St. Mel School, and since Fall of 2000, at Walter Payton College Prep. Mr. Karafiol graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. in Philosophy in 1992 and received an A.M. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1994, specializing in ethics and logic. He created Walter Payton's student development program, was an initial sponsor of the Gay-Straight Alliance, and has coached the math team since the school's opening. Mr. Karafiol also created and continues to supervise the PALS peer mentoring program, in which upperclass students run freshman orientation and freshman advisory lessons. Mr. Karafiol coaches the developmental team for the Chicago Area All-Star Math Team, for which he also co-authors the tryouts. He is the head author of the national ARML competition, and a co-author of the textbooks Advanced Algebra Third Edition and Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry Third Edition from the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. Mr. Karafiol is one of two 9-12 directors on the Board of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics and serves on the appeals committee at the ICTM State Math Contest. In 2007, Mr. Karafiol achieved National Board Certification. Mr. Karafiol has spoken at a variety of local and national conferences, including Mathfest (summer meeting of the Mathematical Association of America), NCTM National and Regional conferences, and the Metropolitan Math Club annual Conference of Workshops.
Website: sites.wpcp.org/karafiolp
Scott Galson
Scott Galson earned his B.A. in economics and psychology from Colby College and his M.S. in mathematics education from Northwestern University. In 2008, he achieved National Board Certification, and received the Siemens AP Teacher of the Year award for Illinois. Scott came to education after working in economic forecasting. Scott is the dean of the Class of 2012 and a math team coach. He and his wife enjoy the outdoors and love to bike, hike, and ski with their two sons. Before moving out to Illinois in 2003 from New England, Scott and his wife lived for two years in Suriname, South America as volunteers in the Peace Corps.
Website: sites.wpcp.org/galsons
Byron Espinoza
Byron Espinoza earned his B.A. in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined the Walter Payton team in 2005. He is a coach for the math team, sponsors a gaming club, and recently became part of the Instructional Leadership Team. He enjoys trying out new technology, and routinely uses software such as Geometer’s Sketchpad and Mathematica in his classroom.
Georgia Tolias
Georgia Tolias joined the Payton faculty in 2005 after having spent the previous 12 years as a full-time mathematics professor at Purdue University Calumet and DePaul University. She completed her doctorate in mathematics education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993. Dr. Tolias is excited to be a coach for Payton's Math Team and enjoys cooking, dancing, and traveling in her spare time.
Michael Caines
Michael Caines obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from the University of Chicago in 2001, and, after succumbing to his affinity for math, went on to earn a Master of Science in Teaching Mathematics degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2008. After a year of teaching at Lane Tech High School, he has joined the team at Walter Payton and is eager to begin. Michael enjoys coaching math team, and he is involved in the newly-formed Chicago Junior Mathematics League. His other interests include: reading, cruciverbalism, Warhammer 40K, Magic: The Gathering, Rock Band, and, when he is not feeling lazy, exercise.
McKendry Marano
McKendry Marano is starting his teaching career at Walter Payton College Prep. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.S. in mathematics and computer science in 2005, where he was a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. After realizing he wanted to pursue teaching as a career, McKendry earned his Masters in Teaching (M.T.) from the University of Virginia in 2007. He then moved up to Philadelphia, where he has spent the past two years volunteering with City Year, an AmeriCorps program that specializes in tutoring, mentoring, and running after school programs for inner city kids at schools. Besides teaching McKendry is passionate about the environment and traveling.
Jill Tani
Jill Tani joined the Math Department at Walter Payton in 2008. She began her career as an actuarial and benefits analyst for Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Having decided to leave the corporate world, Ms.Tani spent several years as a classroom assistant at Near North Montessori School. She holds degrees in Mathematics and French from Grinnell College and is currently working towards her Master's Degree at National-Louis University. Aside from shaping the minds of young mathematicians, Ms. Tani enjoys laughing at her own jokes and spending time with her husband and dog.
Laura Kaplan
Coming soon.
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