Eric Fink, Chemistry, Math

B.A., U.C. Berkeley, M.A., U.C. Santa Barbara

Teaching at York is an activity that Mr. Fink finds very energizing and fulfilling. As a great believer in education in general, particularly in science and mathematics, Mr. Fink is enthusiastic about helping young people to gain a better understanding of their world. The small class setting and motivated student body at York are crucial for the sort of relaxed yet intellectually intense discussions that he finds most effective in teaching

The courses that Mr. Fink has been teaching most frequently at York are Chemistry, AP Chemistry and Calculus BC. While he personally loves all of the different fields of study in science, he finds chemistry particularly enjoyable to teach. Students are always excited to see demonstrations involving burning and other visually dramatic chemical changes. The combination of descriptive qualitative explanations with more abstract numerical calculations is at the heart of science, and is most clearly introduced to students in a beginning chemistry course. With improved skill at using mathematics and logic, students can tackle the more complex problem solving that occurs in the second year chemistry course.

Mr. Fink is the proud parent of two daughters who graduated from York in 2001 and 2004. Some of his fondest memories involve York Wilderness Club trips with his daughters both before and during their school years at York. He loves to engage in a variety of outdoor activities, and has supervised trips to Big Sur, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and several other locations. Keeping physically active is a daily endeavor, whether playing Ultimate Frisbee on the soccer fields with York students, or swimming at the Monterey Sports Center after his school day ends.