Q: Mrs. Vereyken, you are known as one of the most fun math teachers at Paly. What are some of the kinds of things you do to spruce up your class?
A: I try to tell stupid jokes and try to make my classroom relaxed and welcoming. Often times I will try to encourage the student interaction in classes and make sure its not just a lecturing math environment for the kids. I want to create a home-like feel which may lead to a more productive and fun environment.

Q: I have heard you are a freshmen math teacher? If you don’t mind me asking, what is your favorite torture tactic that you use on the freshmen?
A: Ha-Ha, do I torture my freshmen? I try not to treat them any differently than I would treat a class full of juniors. I give freshmen no sympathy however. I want to teach them to get with the program, I give no retakes, and no homework will be accepted late. Overall, I really think the thing I’m doing is giving kids the shock that happens when you transition from middle school into high school.

Q: What is the hardest thing about teaching freshmen?
A: Definitely trying to teach them the entire high school routine and not just about math. Older kids know they need to turn in their homework and that you must take notes, and it really takes some freshmen a while to fully realize this. But above all, I love teaching the freshmen.

Q: So I hear you enjoy sports, what are your personal favorite sports and teams?
A: I love baseball, hockey, football, and basketball. My favorite teams are probably the Giants, the Sharks, the 49ers, and Stanford college sports.

Q: You have two children, correct?
A: Yes I do

Q: What are your hopes for your young’uns? Do you want them to become sports gurus or do you want them to become the ballerina types?
A: I don’t really have a preference, I just hope they both find something they love to pursue and absolutely love to do. Currently, my daughter is in love with soccer so, we will see where that takes her.

Q: I bet being a high school teacher makes you constantly relive your high school career. Did you like your high school experience?
A: I really did. During high school, I was part of the marching band as well as the school color guard. I always had so much fun going to competitions and I was so close with the other kids who participated in marching band. I also played three years of varsity basketball. I was just really lucky to meet great people in high school.

Q: Aside from being a great teacher here at Paly, you have the reputation as being an incredibly kind and generous friend. In fact, you carried Mrs. Harris’ babies. How did this come up and what inspired you to do this?
A: One day when Ms. Harris was talking about kids, I offered on a whim to do this, and she just sort of said, “Are you serious?” It was very informal but, I absolutely love my kids and I couldn’t imagine life without them. Especially when I had my daughter, a few of my friends were facing problems and were unable have children. It really made me appreciate my ability to have children and for mine to come out so perfectly. The Harris’ are great people and I knew they would make amazing parents, and I really wanted to help them achieve this. It was really an honor to be trusted with such an amazing thing.

Q: This is such a hectic and happy time. Are there any special holidays that you celebrate?
A: Oh, I get so into Christmas! But Christmas is different when you are the grown up versus when you are the child. When you are the grown up you want to make sure everything is perfect and especially fun for the kids, its quite stressful actually.

Q: What was on your Christmas list this past year? A personal grading robot? A personal chef?
A: For a real present I wanted running gear, an iPOD, and spa gift certificates. But I really can’t ask for too much, especially since I just had my birthday in early December! In a fantasy world, I would have asked for a personal chef (that would be so cool!), someone who arrived at my house from 5-9 am to get the kids up and ready for school so I could sleep, and a personal grocery shopper. That would have been ideal.