Student turned instructor

There's a new Instructional Support Assistant on campus

Brie Wood’s journey at Linn-Benton started over a decade ago. She has had different roles over the years, and all have been in the same room the “Math Classroom”: student aide, instructional assistant part-time, Math 20 instructor, and now instructional support assistant.

At first Wood wanted to become a pharmacist. She started her college education in 2002 in the Pharmacy Technician program at LBCC.  

While taking classes, Wood found out she enjoyed math just as much as she was good at it. She made the decision to switch from the Pharmacy Technician program to pursue mathematics in 2003.

During her time as a student, Wood began work as a student worker in 2004. She helped at the math angle, one-on-one tutoring, and math help desk at the Albany campus, Benton Center and Lebanon Center.

She graduated with her Associates of Science in Mathematics from Linn-Benton in 2007.

Wood graduated from Oregon State University with her Bachelor’s in Mathematics in 2009.

In January 2010 Wood started her teaching career at LB. As an adjunct faculty working 20-25 hours a week. As well as being an adjunct, she continued helping at the math angle and the math help desk.

“I could always count on Brie to be exceptionally patient and kind to students. She has a confidence and an ability to explain math concepts that students appreciate,” said Vikki Maurer, mathematics instructor.

Spring 2015 was the last term Wood worked as an adjunct faculty. Linn-Benton welcomed the new Instructional Support Assistant in summer 2015.

“I’m really enjoying it,” said Wood. “I like that this position lets the student get to know you really well, and then the students feel comfortable enough to come back and ask questions.”

Wood’s position allows for students to come in outside of class time for one-on-one help. and enables instructors to have the necessary materials prepared for lecture; and Wood is available to assist in training future aides for Math 20.

“She readies the classroom and supports the instructors in a variety of ways,” said Maurer. “I feel fortunate to have such a competent, bright, capable, creative instructional assistant. Brie is awesome!!,” said Maurer.