Geneseo alumnus George Reuter ‘96 (pictured above) became a teacher at Geneseo Central High School following graduation. In 2013, Reuter returned to his roots and became a mathematics professor at Geneseo where he practices his unique teaching style focused on engaging students (Udeshi Seneviratne/photo editor).
Lecturer of mathematics George Reuter’s captivating presence in the classroom, combined with his passion for academia and unconventional style of teaching are all things that make him a notable professor on campus.
Reuter has been a part of the Geneseo community for many years, not only as a faculty member, but also as a student. He graduated from Geneseo in 1996 as a mathematics major with a secondary certification.
As a Geneseo alumnus, Reuter reflects on his experience by describing his vivid memories of gazing at Geneseo sunsets from the gazebo, utilizing the Taco Bell that once stood in the MacVittie College Union, attending hockey games and the exhausting Mamma Mia versus Pizza Paul’s debate.
Reuter grew up in Long Island and is from the town of Floral Park. He attended an honors school in Flushing, Queens named Townsend Harris High School.
After graduating Geneseo, he settled in Western New York, accepting a teaching position at Geneseo Central High School where he would work for four years. In 2000, Reuter began working at the Canandaigua Academy, where he spent 13 years teaching. Finally, he became a mathematics lecturer at Geneseo in 2013.
It’s apparent that reaching his position here at Geneseo has been a long road. Reuter has also proven that he is able to spin many plates simultaneously—especially throughout his career path—as a full-time employee with many students and as a father of six children.
With his experience as both a high school teacher and college professor, Reuter explains his passions for not only math, but for his students.
“Students are fascinating, interesting and welcoming people. The students make my job so special, I do have a passion for math, but I want to talk about it with my students, not at my students,” Reuter said. “I am fully aware of my students’ potential.”
Reuter’s presence in a classroom is characterized by his unique teaching style. He explains his teaching style as “passive aggressive lectures,” using humor and sarcasm to make concepts resonate with his students, and to make math truly entertaining and engaging.
In 2013, Math Department Chair Chris Leary described his classroom presence as, “a unique classroom personality, that leads to a weird and wonderful stream of consciousness lecture style that somehow manages to be organized and precise, while wearing with pride a veneer of chaos.”
It’s apparent that Reuter perceives his career as a true passion and deserves recognition for his hard work inside as well as outside of the classroom. Reuter makes note of his online lectures that he posts for his students as an extra source to excel.
“I’ve been utilizing the idea of a flipped classroom, where students will watch a lecture on YouTube, and in class we cement and practice the concept,” Reuter said. “I play on a college students’ passion for streaming on platforms such as Netflix and YouTube and introduce it as a source for learning.”
Reuter is currently teaching Calculus I, Intro to Proofs and is responsible for supervising education majors. Next time you register for a class, look out for George Reuter to experience his quirky and entertaining teaching style and to find yourself sharing his genuine passion for math.