Rick Darnell
Lecturer
Contact
- Office
- Math 004C
- Phone
- 406-243-5311
- Richard.Darnell@umontana.edu
- Office Hours
"When people come and say, 'I hate math,' they're saying, 'I hate my mathematical experience.' Because math is objectively a beautiful, profound expression of human thought. You can't expect someone coming from high school math to have a reasonable critique.
What they're really saying is, 'I was devalued in this experience.' And I say to them, 'I'm sorry that's the experience you had, but I'm here to present you with another one. And you have to be open to that.
So: Are you willing?" -- Aris Winger
In Person: (Drop-in hours, no need for appointment)
Monday:
Tuesday: I'm in and out of meetings, but will be around my office from 9ish to 4ish otherwise. Feel free to email and see if I'm here.
Wednesday:
Thursday: I'm in and out observing classes, but periodically stop in to my office. Feel free to email and see if I'm here.
Friday:And, by appointment (email or call to schedule)
Online (Zoom): By Appointment at
***Making the most of our **
Answer this question...?
- Get help with a homework question or general topic from class
- Try to identify what it is you know AND don't know. The more you can communicate these two things, the easier it is for us to have a productive conversation.
- Bring in a specific homework question (or two, or three, or...) that you're working on, and be able to explain what you understand AND don't understand about it. "I don't understand any of it," is not a helpful starting point, and is frustrating to us all as I have to go on a "fishing expedition" to try and figure out what exactly it is you're having issues with.
- Talk about progress towards learning
- Be sure to check the syllabus and your current status on Canvas.
- Is the issue a missing or incorrect assessment? Have evidence and documentation as appropriate to confirm the missing or inaccurate information.
- Is it to make a plan for improving an assessment over the course of the semester? Check the syllabus and come equipped with ideas and a plan that will serve as the starting point for our conversation.
- Get help with a homework question or general topic from class
Personal Summary
I am a native of the Kansas City area, who left soon after college to head west. The first stop was east central Wyoming, where I met my wife Jane. For more than 30 years of marriage, we've traveled the intermountain west with our two daughters and various pets as Jane has advanced in her career with the US Forest Service. This is our second tour of duty through Missoula -- the first being more than 25 years ago -- and it has been quite enjoyable to see how the town has changed and evolved over the intervening years.
Education
- Kansas State University (Mass Communications/Radio-TV), B.S. 1988
- Regis University (Mathematics), B.A. 2004
- Chadron State College (Mathematics Education), M.A. 2012
Courses Taught
Current classes (Falll 2025)
- M115: Probability and Linear Mathematics (MWF 8 am @ North Underground Lecture Hall)
- M132: Number and Operations for Elementary Teachers (MWF @ Liberal Arts)
- M162: Applied Calculus (MWF @ North Underground Lecture Hall)
Previous UM classes taught
- M105: Contemporary Mathematics
- M121: College Algebra
- M122: College Trigonometry
- M132: Number and Operations for Elementary School Teachers
- M133: Geometry and Measurement for Elementary Teachers
- M234: Higher Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers
- EDU497: 5-12 Mathematics Pedagogy
Teaching Experience
- 91视频, 2016-Present
- St. Joseph Elementary & Middle School (Missoula), 2020-21 (Covid-19 Sabbatical)
- Western Nebraska Community College, 2008-2015
- Eastern Wyoming College, 20012-2014
- Laramie County (Wyo.) Community College, 2006-2008, 2011-12
- Chadron State College (Neb.), 2010-11
- Chadron Public Schools (Neb.), 2008-2010
- Laramie County (Wyo.) Public Schools, 2001-2005, 2007-2008
- Liberty Common Charter School (Colo.), 2006-2007
Honors / Awards
- Cox Educational Excellence Award (Univ. of Montana), 2025 for superior teaching, mentoring, accessibility to students, and campus/community service
- Outstanding Performance Award (Univ. of Montana), 2022-23, 2023-24 for efforts in improving instructional quality on campus and reducing DWF rates in freshman service math courses
- National Institute for Scientific Teaching (Yale Univ), Scientific Teaching Fellow and Mentor
- Regis University, Magna Cum Laude, 2004
Hobbies
I'm an avid bike commuter who would like to spend more time touring and camping on two wheels. When I'm not riding, I have spent the last 20 years building and maintaining bikes for family, friends, and other good folks in my garage and through organizaiton such as FreeCycles. After a lot of years of avocational, amateur efforts, I finally attending bike maintenance school in 2023. My wife and I also enjoy spending time hiking, camping, and floating when we can find the time and opportunities.
Other time is spent playing harmonica and ukulele, exploring with our dog, visiting our kids and grandkid, and trying to keep on my goal of reading at least one book a month.