Michael Appelhans, M.S.C.E

President & CEO, Lead Faculty of Mathematics & Physics Program Design

As the creator and president of MA³ Academics, Michael Appelhans has spent a lifetime pursuing perfection of his craft. His passion and excitement for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering has led him down a truly remarkable road, culminating in this program. He received his M.S. and B.S. in Civil Engineering Summa Cum Laude from the highly acclaimed Engineering Program at Purdue University. His teaching experience includes tutoring, mentoring, and teaching at various institutions including Lake Champlain Waldorf High School, William A. Wirt High School, Indiana University Northwest, Purdue University North Central, Colegio Trener (Lima, Peru), Minneapolis Community College, Purdue University Calumet, Purdue University, Vincennes University, and most recently at Ivy Tech Community College. This wealth of experience at both secondary and post-secondary schools, coupled with a rigorous education, has given him a unique perspective and understanding on how to deliver the highest quality virtual education.

Here are some of his most notable accolades:

• Pioneer in Virtual Instruction
• Pioneer and Advocate for Open Education Resources (OER)
• Frequently rated in the 99.9 percentile out of a million students surveryed over a four year period nationwide in categories such as: committment to student learning, student interaction, preparedness and organization, and more.
• Alumni Hall of Fame Nominee, Minneapolis Community College
• Perfect 4.0 GPA Recognition, Purdue University West Lafayette
• CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award, Purdue University Calumet
• Mathematics, Science, and Computer Award, Minneapolis Community College
• Award of Excellence for Outstanding Achievement As Minneapolis High School Champion In Mathematics 24 Contest, Minneapolis Public Schools.
• Outstanding Mathematics Achievement, The Council of Presidential Awardees in Mathematics.

For more about Michael, including publications, additional accolades, volunteer work, and more:

Teaching Philosophy

Mr. Appelhans has an enormous amount of experience: over 11,000 face-to-face contact hours, thousands of virtual teaching hours, and thousands of hours tutoring and mentoring. Michael has a lot to say about what it takes to be an exceptional teacher. Below are highlights of what "Exceptional Teaching" entitles. For a full discussion, "Learn More" below.

"I think it is important to be very well versed in the subject that one is teaching… But this is not enough. An exceptional teacher should have a well-rounded wealth of knowledge. He/she should be able to see the connections of his/her subject to other subjects… know the applications of their field to the real world."

"Exceptional teachers have a passion for the subject that they teach. They see the inherent and intrinsic beauty in their subjects. However, they are not blinded by their own interests as to miss the beauty and importance of all fields of study."

"Teaching is an intensely social occupation…teachers often need to entertain in the process of transferring skills. Exceptional teachers are performance artists who are experts in their field and possess excellent communication skills."

"My enthusiasm derives from meeting students where they are in their process, and to develop their skills in relation to what they need to know next. In my opinion, it is just as worthy an accomplishment for students to learn to multiply fractions as it is for students to recognize the power in an applied differential equation."

"I appreciate pure mathematics as an aesthetic, poetic system. However, mathematics considered as a tool grounds it in practical experience."

"Different cultural paradigms sometimes require a different performance and strategy in order to transfer skills effectively. The juxtaposition of differing strategies exposes the underlying principles of teaching in general, and gives a deeper understanding of the pedagogical approaches used in teaching."

"Students in introductory courses need first of all, and perhaps most of all, to trust the teacher. Or to say this another way, the relationship is as fundamental as the content. Learning is optimized in the quality of the interpersonal relationship. This is no less true for intermediate and advanced courses."

"A superior level teacher also understands the pedagogical, and even the psychopedagogical aspects of this incredible profession."

For more on Learning Styles, Personality/Behavioral Traits, Diversity, Pedagogy, Teaching Methods, and more:

Testimonials

Over the decades, Mr. Appelhans ("Mr. A") has forged countless relationships with his students, and those he has mentored and tutored. Whether it was over one semester or many years, Mr. A had a positive impact on the lives and careers of those he worked with. Here are just a few of the testimonials from students, parents, and colleagues.

When I was in High School, I was struggling with Algebra 2 Trigonometry. I met with Mr. A at least once a week for the whole school year, to help me better understand this subject. He was patient and took any amount of time needed to make sure I understood each problem we reviewed. Everytime I had a test in class, he was always encouraging and enthusiastic which helped me believe in myself and my ability in this subject. I would not have passed the class or understood any part of the material without his help. Currently I am a senior in college at Valparaiso University in Indiana. I will graduate in May of 2022 and I already have a job in sales lined up! I couldn’t have made it through junior year of high school without Mr. A!

Testimonials

"Mike Appelhans was my high school math teacher. Math was not a subject I had a natural affinity for, but Mr. Appelhans always made it engaging and fun for me, and I got better grades in his math classes than I ever did in any others because he communicated the concepts so clearly to me. I can still remember some of the vivid analogies and images he used in class to illustrate concepts in mathematics. I did not go on to pursue math, and currently work as a photographer, but I may not have gotten into Middlebury College if Mr. Appelhans hadn’t been such a good teacher!"
William currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.

"Mike Appelhans was my high school math teacher. Math was not a subject I had a natural affinity for, but Mr. Appelhans always made it engaging and fun for me, and I got better grades in his math classes than I ever did in any others because he communicated the concepts so clearly to me. I can still remember some of the vivid analogies and images he used in class to illustrate concepts in mathematics. I did not go on to pursue math, and currently work as a photographer, but I may not have gotten into Middlebury College if Mr. Appelhans hadn’t been such a good teacher!"
Taly is currently studying in Belgium.