Q&A with Dr. Frank Fielder, Professor of Mathematics

By: Larry Stevenson (Whetstone contributor)

Larry Stevenson: How long have you been teaching?

Frank Fiedler: Since 1998, as a grad aid student.

LS: Have you changed your style since you started teaching?

FF: Yes I have. I’ve taken inspiration as well as notes from other teachers to help me improve. Teachers constantly change their style to best benefit their students.

LS: What rewards do you personally get from teaching?

FF: Teaching is like being on stage performing. When you perform in front of your students you gain from them learning. You feel good about yourself when your students are learning. As far as bad days, you feel as if you let yourself down.

LS: Where did you go to school? What was your major?

FF: I started at the University of Technology in Dresden, Germany. Then I did some schooling Israel. Finally I came to the U.S. earning my PHD in Mathematics.

LS: What drew you to the teaching field?

FF: Growing up I was an athlete, but I always liked engineering and math. Math was always my backup plan.

LS: What was your worst or most interesting job as a student?

FF: I didn’t have many jobs growing up. I was a research assistant in Israel. I was overworked, but it was my worst and best job at the same time.

LS: Where were you born and raised?

FF: I was born and raised in Germany, East Germany.

LS: What are your favorite movies?

FF: I have a lot of favorite movies, but my three most favorites are: “Empire Strikes Back,” “Men in Black” and “Independence Day.”

LS: Do you have a favorite book, poem, or screenplay?

FF: I really don’t have a favorite. I personally like the author of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Author Conan Doyle.

LS: What is your favorite music or artist to listen to?

FF: I like Symphonic Metal, Symphony X, and music with heavy guitars. 1990 Metallica is a favorite as well. My favorite group is Night Wish.

LS: What is your favorite food?

FF: I love American cheesecake, it’s unique. I love all types of food. I love to eat.

LS: What are your hobbies?

FF: I’ve always had a passion for photography. I just never had the time to fully commit myself like I wanted to. I also like to remodel my home.

LS: What are you most passionate about in life?

FF: I am most passionate about my family. It is important to have your family in order. I am also passionate about my friends.

LS: What did you want to be as a kid growing up?

FF: I always wanted to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games for the 100 meter dash.

LS: If you could do anything over again, what would you do?

FF: I didn’t really make any big mistakes, just a couple small things. I wish I would have married my wife earlier.

LS: Is there a moment that you would want to relive?

FF: In 1989, during high school in Berlin, the wall came down and I didn’t even notice it. I wish I could have seen the wall when it came down so I could say that I saw it.