Teaching

Teaching Experience

  • Applied Calculus - Math 104
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Fall 2025
    -Instructor of Record (1 Section)
    -Textbook link (OER)

  • Calculus I - Math 106, W. H. Thompson Scholars Section
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Fall 2024
    -Instructor of Record, Recitation Instructor (1 Section)
    -Textbook link (OER)

  • Calculus III - Math 208
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Fall 2023
    - Recitation Instructor (2 Sections)
    -Textbook link (OER)

  • Intermediate Algebra - Math 100A
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Summer 2023
    -For credit course taught at the Reception and Treatment Center (Formerly the Lincoln Correctional Center)
    -Instructor of Record

  • College Algebra - Math 101
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Spring 2023
    -Instructor of Record
    -Textbook link (OER)

  • Intermediate Algebra - Math 100A
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Fall 2022
    -Instructor of Record
    -Textbook link (OER)

  • Algebra I
    Lincoln Correctional Center, Fall 2022
    -Volunteer Educator

  • Trigonometry - Math 102
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Summer 2022
    -Instructor of Record
    -Textbook link (OER)
    -Five week summer course

  • Calculus II - Math 107
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Spring 2021
    - Recitation Instructor (2 Sections)
    -Textbook link (OER)

  • Calculus I Recitation - Math 106
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Fall 2021
    - Recitation Instructor (2 Sections)
    -Textbook link (OER)

Selected Student Quotes

37 Fall 2024 Calculus I I don't think there is a better classes than this, I understand the some negative feedback is required to improve the class. But I believe if all my classes were like this one collage would be 'easy'.
36 Fall 2024 Calculus I The instructor is very relatable and treats us like colleagues rather than just students. It's a nice change of flow compared to the big lecture halls.
35 Fall 2024 Calculus I He always helps as much as he can. He tries to be as available as possible so we can get help when needed. He gives us helpful advice and study guides.
34 Fall 2024 Calculus I Mr. Macdonald is an amazing teacher and really cares about if his students grasp the content. He typically has office hours everyday and if any questions come up outside of them I am able to email and get an email back explaining to me what it is I was struggling with.
33 Fall 2024 Calculus I The size of the class along with the personality of the professor welcomes an open and free environment where you're not afraid to ask questions and get help if it's needed. This class was the easiest of all my classes to connect with other students to work together on problems.
32 Fall 2024 Calculus I He takes time to help students with all of their questions and needs. He has many resources and office hours, to help students to preform better. Very good teacher!
31 Fall 2024 Calculus I Sam is really good with communicating with students, I often saw him helping out around the room making sure everyone understood. He's very understanding with everything and I really appreciate that.
30 Fall 2024 Calculus I I don't think he has any flaws!
29 Fall 2023 Calculus III Best math recitation teacher I've ever had and I feel like I won the lottery in math reci teachers.
28 Fall 2023 Calculus III Sam always came with a positive but honest attitude, was very understanding, and truly cared about our success.
27 Fall 2023 Calculus III Sam is very approachable. He makes the recitation more focused on actually understanding the material.
26 Fall 2023 Calculus III Sam was very helpful and taught the material in a way that students will understand, rather than just giving us the textbook answer or method.
25 Summer 2023Intermediate Algebra The whole course was great, and I truly learned a lot. The teaching was amazing.
24 Summer 2023Intermediate Algebra The teaching of the class was wonderful, including content, homework assignments, and the fact that we were reviewing and working on algebra problems during the beginning of class.
23 Summer 2023Intermediate Algebra The strength of the course was the willingness of the teachers to pace the material we were covering to fit the needs of the students.
22 Summer 2023Intermediate Algebra The strength of this course comes from the teachers. Their ability to help us through our struggles makes the material easier to interpret. You changed my view of math and education as a whole.
21 Spring 2023College Algebra This is the best college math professor I have come across. He is not only focused and engaged in his students well-being but he is also a great cheerleading mentor when it comes to actual academics.
20 Spring 2023College Algebra I've never felt truly comfortable in a math classroom until I entered this one.
19 Spring 2023College Algebra Sam was a very welcoming and easy person to talk to. I can have a hard time asking for help at times, and his communication skills allowed me to release the fear of asking questions. I enjoyed how he taught, definitely made learning easy and possible.
18 Fall 2022 Intermediate Algebra Sets clear expectations while making sure the assignment and what is expected is fully understood. Understands the difficulties of being a student and having life as well, marvelous at communication and responding.
17 Fall 2022 Intermediate Algebra I have never had an instructor who is so willing gave his best each and every class. Sam went above and beyond my expectations in being available to offer assistance in our course work and answer questions. My success in this course is primarily because of his dedication to giving every opportunity to succeed.
16 Summer 2022Trigonometry Mr. Macdonald was a great teacher. I felt welcomed to ask questions and I could tell that he really cared about his students understanding the material.
15 Spring 2022Calculus II Sam. Just the way he teaches is phenomenal. He is definitely one of the best math TA's and just in general teachers I've had. He is almost always available to help with questions and is very good at getting back to emails. And just the fact that he truly does show that he wants us to learn and to succeed.
14 Spring 2022Calculus II Sam is consistently available and willing to help. He celebrates every success and is driven and motivated to ensure every student understands the concepts and feels welcome. I couldn't ask for a better TA.
13 Spring 2022Calculus II Sam was able to explain all of the concepts that we were learning in a way that made sense to me. He was also very good at making the recitation feel less like a chore by playing music in the background and talking to us as people rather than as students. Sam was the only reason I was able to succeed in this course, because I didn't absorb any information in the lectures, but he was able to help in a way that solidified the information in my head.
12 Spring 2022Calculus II Sam breaks down the material in a way that actually makes sense. He doesn't just assume we know everything, and welcomes questions without making me feel stupid.
11 Spring 2022Calculus II Sam has been a great TA. He is devoted to his students' success. He answers questions promptly and has great office hours. He is always willing to help and is very knowledgeable about the math that he teaches. I have shown up to every recitation, and I believe that showing up consistently and his help have contributed greatly to my progress with the class.
10 Spring 2022Calculus II I truly attribute my success in Calc 1 and 2 to you and the caring help you provide. Based on my experience with other classes so far it is difficult to find another GTA who cares as much about his students success and well being as much as you do. You are very relatable and always find a way to lighten the mood. Your study sessions are very helpful and I looked forward to them both semesters. I am upset that I won't be able to take you for Calc 3. Every one of your students was lucky to have you, I was lucky to have you. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to us.
9 Spring 2022Calculus II You are an awesome instructor! My experience with math instructors has generally been middling to bad, so it was very refreshing to have an instructor that is actually good lol
8 Spring 2022Calculus II Sam's abailabilty and willingness to help has been top notch. Give this man a raise and make him head of the department.
7 Fall 2021 Calculus I Thank you so much for going above and beyond with the office hours this semester. I know you aren't required to be as available as you were, and you don't need to be so available, but I know that it helped me a ton.
6 Fall 2021 Calculus I You're going to be the teacher all the students love. Immaculate vibes smacdiddy
5 Fall 2021 Calculus I I think you did an amazing job helping and making sure everyone understood the material we covered this year. I really appreciated the communication that you had with your students because not a lot of professors or other TAs communicate well. My advice is to keep that up.
4 Fall 2021 Calculus I You're really good at teaching in a way we would understand, so keep doing that. Also, I appreciate how you would make mistakes, whether intentional or not; reminds me that math can be hard for anyone and everyone is still human. Unless you're actually an alien, then that'd be pretty cool
3 Fall 2021 Calculus I SAM IS A GREAT TA!!! PUTS A TON OF WORK IN.
2 Fall 2021 Calculus I I can't think of anything that Sam could improve on. He is kind to all students and tries his hardest to help everyone understand calculus. There is nothing he could improve on, and any attempt to imply that he can improve is complete blasphemy.
1 Fall 2021 Calculus I Sam is by far the best TA I have had this semester. Is almost always available to give help and responds to questions very quickly.
0 Fall 2021 Calculus I There is nothing Sam can improve upon, and the very notion of it would be an affront to God. In all seriousness he was my favorite instructor this semester and I don't have any complaints at all.