The Transylvania Times -

As a first generation, non-traditional student, Blue Ridge Community College math faculty member Ben Kearns can relate to the wide variety of students he encounters in the math classroom.

"This is definitely where I want to be," said Kearns.

This fall, some Blue Ridge students who are signed up for their required math credits may be thinking, "This is the last place I want to be."

Kearns enjoys teaching reluctant math students.

"I watch students say they hate math at the beginning of the semester, but let go of those negative expectations by the end," he said.

Kearns encourages student...