Testimonials
Here are just a few testimonials of how Mrs. Sharon Bellak's love for students and teaching as-well-as her Bellak Approach has helped numerous students, too many to count.
Mrs. Bellak,
I was so overwhelmed with passing the exit exam this morning, I could not properly express how grateful and appreciative I am for having been a student in your class. Oddly, I picked your class because your name sounded fun and cheerful. My gut instinct was correct.
I have never been a strong student in the math field. I entered this class with zero faith that I would do well, and truly have been my own enemy! Your enthusiasm and excitement for numbers, fractions and monomial factoring truly changed my outlook. I have not experienced a teacher with such passion and care as yours, since my grade school education.
Thank you seems like such a shallow way of expressing how much I truly appreciated ALL the extra time you so willingly gave to our class in extra tutoring. I wish I could pay you for the 20 plus hours of extra teaching you supplied just me with, and I wasn't there for every session you so graciously offered. I KNOW in my heart all your efforts, time, and HEART were a direct result in my passing the class.
I hope I feel as passionate about nursing, as you do about teaching math. Not only are you an amazing educator, you are a true inspiration to me. Your weekly attitude and professionalism were a constant reminder that I should strive to reach that level of dedication and heart in my new career path.
Thank you again,
Have a great summer. Work on your book. I'll be the first in line to purchase it! I have three nieces, they will all benefit from your Bellak Dance!Best,
Keri
I was very concerned about taking Pre-Algebra in a condensed 6-week summer session, due to the amount of material that had to be covered. My instructor, Mrs. Bellak, and her passion for math and love for teaching soon erased any concerns that I may have had. Not only did I pass her class but I also maintained an “A” average the entire term. I’m thirty-nine years old and the only memory of Pre-Algebra that I had was a frightening one. So in closing, I’d like to say that if Mrs. Bellak could successfully teach me this much material in such a short time, that I’m sure to retain, she could teach anyone. Mrs. Bellak is an asset to the community college, as well as the teaching community.
Phillip
Being only one of several thousand students Mrs. Bellak taught over the years she probably doesn't remember me, but I was one of the fortunate ones to have her as an instructor at Gulf Junior High during the following school years:
- 1974-75 (Seventh grade): Pre-Algebra
- 1975-76 (Eighth grade): Algebra I
- 1976-77 (Ninth grade): Geometry
I started her Pre-Algebra class with a severe dislike for mathematical concepts but, as with vegetables, I knew I had to learn to at least tolerate them. During that first year she taught me to not only master but to love mathematics, for which I’m very grateful. I am now trying to instill the same ideas in my two children – tough going at the moment but seeing progress.
By the time any person leaves school a myriad of teachers/instructors have come and gone, with only a few leaving a lasting impression. I am happy to say that Mrs. Bellak is one of those few who not only cared enough about her students to persevere with the most unlikely, but whose lessons helped me form a solid belief system. I can’t begin to count the number of times that we had to demonstrate the congruence of angles or triangles, but there was a lasting result: believe nothing until it’s proved. This lesson alone would serve anyone well in today’s climate of biased news media and Internet falsehoods.
Mrs. Bellak – I am forever grateful for your tenacity and caring. My prayers are with you in your latest endeavor.
A former student from the 70’s.
Andy
Sharon Bellak is one of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable math instructors with whom I have had the opportunity to work. With over 37 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Bellak has developed tools and strategies, which she refers to as “Bellak’s Tricks”, that have helped her students experience success in mathematics. She is an award-winning teacher, with her most recent recognition being chosen by the Pasco County Math Teacher Association as the 2009 Middle School Math Teacher of the Year. She has also led students in winning math competitions such as MATHCOUNTS. Algebra Team, and Continental Math League.
Mrs. Bellak’s Math Prep course is certain to help any child gain knowledge and confidence in math!
David Salerno ~ Principal
Seven Springs Middle School
Mrs. Bellak,
As you know all too well, the Mobius strip is a symbol of continuity. An endless loop bound only by temporal limitations. I wish to convey both thanks and congratulations by letting you know how I view your contributions to the world: a perpetual source of kindness and generosity. Mrs. Bellak, I thank you for everything. I’d like to personally thank you for everything you have done for me as both my teacher and mentor. I still remember my middle school math days on the “Dream Team” like yesterday. Promptly arriving for another interesting lesson and lecture. It was in YOUR class where I built my foundation in mathematics; crunching a myriad of numbers and committing countless formulas and theorems to memory. It was in YOUR after school MATHCOUNTS program that I learned to love this complex array of cryptic numerals called math. You have had such a profound effect on me , an effect that I am truly grateful for, something I wouldn’t trade the world for. So now in retirement, I’d like to congratulate you on another milestone in your career as well as becoming such a revered individual in my life and in the lives of others.Thank you so much!
Respectfully yours,
Denn
Former Student / Mathlete
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Dear Sharon,
At the very beginning God gave us a blessing and an instruction to “be fruitful and MULTIPLY.” Throughout your adult life and your educational career you have trained up many students and multiplied your gifts and passion in the lives of others. In addition to numerical values and equations, you taught us values of hard work, high standards, problem solving and team building. As you transition into a new chapter, I wish you continued fruitfulness.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeff Olsen, Grace Community Church, Wesley Chapel, Florida
Former Student / Mathlete
I am proud to recommend Sharon Bellak as a math teacher/tutor to the parents of my middle school students. Having worked with Mrs. Bellak for the past four years, I have witnessed her dedication to each and every student and her thorough knowledge of the math curriculum at all levels. Mrs. Bellak's math "tricks" and step-by-step explanations have proven successful for struggling as well as advanced students.
Her approach in preparing students for success on standardized tests is unique to our area of Pasco County. For students who need that extra boost in math skills, there is no better way for them to achieve the level of math competency necessary to excel in school, in testing, and in the real world.
Susan,
Middle School Teacher and veteran teacher for 37 years
Mrs. Bellak,
If only you had also taught English, then maybe it wouldn’t be as difficult to convey in words how much you impacted my life and career goals. As a twelve year old student I quickly absorbed the passion you put into teaching me and many others. I cannot imagine where I would be today without your guidance. Taking on a very similar passion, the foundation that you helped me build in mathematics has currently led me to working with students in a classroom atmosphere teaching the things you taught me to love, in addition to working on a master’s degree in Structural Engineering. I find myself frequently asked, “Where did you get such a passion for math?” and the thought of the afternoon sessions we had practicing for the MATHCOUNTS competitions was always first to mind. One thing is certain; you always had multiple explanations and tricks delivered with excitement and patience that always made learning mathematics a new exciting adventure. The understanding in mathematics I (and many others) gained while under your instruction goes well beyond the classroom. I can only hope to pass on this passion in the same way you did. Best wishes in another chapter of your mathematical endeavors.
Thank you so much,Russell,
Former student, but always a Mathlete!
Writing this testimonial puts me in a bit of an odd position. One usually imagines the teacher being asked to write a recommendation letter for the student, but here the roles are reversed. Also complicating matters is the weight of the debt I feel to Sharon Bellak: How can I do justice in a short space to someone who influenced my career and my life in such a profound way?
I worked with Sharon during my formative middle school years. In the sixth grade, I began to take an interest in mathematical problem solving. Mrs. Bellak was the coach of the MATHCOUNTS team for our school, and I soon found myself attending her after-school meetings, working on practice exams, talking with other students about problems, and absorbing her words of wisdom and problem-solving strategies. Though my memories are somewhat clouded by the intervening 15 years, three aspects of Mrs. Bellak's teaching still stand out: First is her enthusiasm for the material; she always seemed excited by what she was teaching, and this enthusiasm proved contagious. Sometimes it would be a joke, sometimes it would be a funny gesture, but she always knew what to say or do to get students motivated to learn about mathematics! Second is her generosity with her time. She was genuinely invested in my learning, and she was willing to go the extra mile to help me understand. The third aspect that continues to impress me is her professionalism and experience. Even though her work with MATHCOUNTS was purely a labor of love, she always took it seriously and came prepared for every meeting. I still remember the thick folders housing the solutions she had written out for the past decade of MATHCOUNTS exams; these were often different from the published solutions, incorporating the tips and tricks she had accumulated from years of teaching problem solving to middle-school students.
Sharon likes to say that with the proper mathematical foundation, anything is possible. I would like to think that my life in some small way demonstrates this. As an eighth grader under her tutelage, I had the honor of taking first place in the 1995 Florida MATHCOUNTS state competition. I went on to several other honors in middle and high school and ended up majoring in mathematics at the University of Georgia. In 2008 I completed my mathematics Ph. D. at Dartmouth College. Later this year the American Mathematical Society will publish my first book, a textbook on number theory intended for use by advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. And it all started when I met Mrs. Bellak; she introduced me to the joys of mathematical problem solving and her training gave me a leg-up in all my subsequent studies of mathematics.
I was saddened when the economic situation forced Sharon into retirement. It was troubling to think that a teacher with so much to offer would no longer be welcome in the classroom. This is why I was so pleased to hear that she was starting up Bellak Math Prep. Somehow despite all the turmoil and tumult, the world seems like a better place with Mrs. Bellak at the board.
Paul Pollack,
J. L. Doob Assistant Research Professor/National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This is Sherra Kriston, Garrett's mom. I was in the office last week to pick up my daughter, and saw your cards for Math prep. I wanted to personally thank you for all of your help with Garrett when he was in middle school. Garrett is ending his junior year now, and we recently received his SAT scores back. He got a perfect score (800) on the Math portion. I wanted to let you know, you can feel free to use him as one of your success stories. Have a great week!
Sherra Kriston
