Warm smile guides students to arithmetic goals

Eleven years of public schooling have taught me many things. I’ve learned how to tie my own shoes, how to calculate the electron configuration of a helium atom, and the amount of wives Henry VIII really did have. But still, to this day, I cannot understand Algebra for my life.

Square roots and powers, X and Y variables, slopes, distances, and graphs. Not to mention the fifteen different formulas that have to be memorized for every lesson. It all seems like a big hassle, a puzzle that most of us can’t understand.

Math teacher Priscilla Loven solves this problem for countless students each and every day. Loven teaches Algebra and C++ (Computer Math) throughout the halls of Neshaminy High School, and has been doing so for the past 11 years.

She began her career after receiving a master’s degree from St. Joseph’s College. She started out teaching for six years at a school on the Main Line. When she finally moved back to Bucks County, where she grew up as a child, teaching positions were very hard to find.

“I got involved in politics and became the Tax Collector for Lower Southampton Township for 12 years,” said Loven. “I knew, however, that I really wanted to teach. Luckily, I was able to get hired at Neshaminy, and have been very happy since.”

After spending a few years at the middle school, Loven found her way to the high school, where she has continued to teach to this day. “I love the challenge and enjoy helping a student understand a specific concept,” said Loven.

Loven’s students are grateful to be in a class with such an understanding and interesting teacher. Sophomore Ross Gertz, one of Loven’s many students, commented, “I’m in both C++ and Algebra 2, so I have Mrs. Loven twice a day, and I still can’t get enough.”

Although her class is very challenging for most, Loven facilitates the learning process for every single student, and helps everyone understand the difficult concepts presented in class. “She’s one tough cookie,” said Sophomore Jared Teich. “Tough but fair.”

After-school hours you'll find Loven in her garden. “[Gardening] relieves tension and helps me appreciate the little pleasures in life,” said Loven. Her husband Robert Loven, a coach recently inducted to Neshaminy’s sports Hall of Fame, retired from Neshaminy two years ago, so they try to relax at the shore whenever possible.

Loven’s students really do appreciate the time and patience she puts into teaching. Her goal is to help everyone succeed, and while she goes the extra mile when helping a student, she doesn’t favor or discriminate against anyone.

“She’s wonderful,” added Sophomore Josh Andrzejewski. “She makes algebra easier to understand and gives us life lessons along with class lessons. To put it simply, I’m lovin’ Mrs. Loven.”

Loven hopes to continue her teaching career at Neshaminy, so any future math students can pray to be in her class. “Since I’ve only been teaching here for about 11 years, I still get excited when I see a student learning something they didn’t know before,” said Loven. I’m looking forward to having these moments multiply in the coming years.”

Although I may never like algebra, being in Loven’s class can at least help me understand it. Her warm smile and amiability allow any student with a problem to discuss and resolve the concept they do not understand. She’s a great teacher and future classes are privileged to have the opportunity of being a student of hers.

By Evan Overton
Staff Writer