4.2
Quality3.2
Difficulty91%
Would Retake83
Reviews91%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
51
4
17
3
8
2
6
1
1
What Students Say
“Helen Read is a really nice professor of math”
MATH021 - 5.0 rating“She is a very organized and effective teacher”
MATH022 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
29%
Textbook Required
54%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.14 avg changeRatings by Course
MATH173
5.0
(6)MTHH
5.0
(1)MATH021022
5.0
(8)MTH022H
5.0
(1)022
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
MATH
4.0
MATH21
3.8
CALC2
3.4
MATH022
3.4
MATH173
3.3
Reviews (83)
Well, what can I say? I thought that she was heartless! I struggled with her course and thought that she could care less about my grade. She was very wrapped up in her Mathematica program and did not seem interested in wasting her time to teach us!
the first day i thought she was a boy. If you like using computers, then you might actually enjoy how she teaches math. She uses mathematica a lot. She will not accomidate for test changes or late homeworks. Beware!!!
She was a great teacher! The use of Mathematica was a little overwhelming at first, however, it gets easier. She is always available for questions both inside and outside of class. The way she breaks down grades is very fair so if you don't do well on one assignment, it won't kill your grade.
No Comments
Writes extremely fast, hard to keep up with. Lives by mathematica, kind of fustrating when you can work on a computer but not by hand!
No Comments
Very clear teaching style. If you're willing to keep up, there is no reason not to get a good grade. She is very fair, and always makes time to help if you need it. Computer-comfortable students will do better in her class. A good teacher.
hard course, hw 50% of grade!!!!!! tests were easy
newbies breathe easy- you dont have to deal with the last boyscout. She was the reason i changed majors. i flunked out of calculus and never looked back. evil mathematica crazy woman. She did warn me that i was failing in time to drop the course tho- that was nice.
Great teacher. She goes fast but her lectures make sense. She doesn't just read from the book. She is all about mathematica, but if you learn it well it works in your advantage.
Good teacher, paces her teaching to the class's level. Keep up with the homework, ask questions occasionally, and you'll do well. Don't try to be buddy-buddy with her - she's the teacher, you're the student. Remember that.
Personally, I thought the class was very easy, and the few things I had any question on, she was very willing to answer and help me on. The encryption stuff was very cool, only wish there was time to go faster or cover more material, although I suspect that would make the class a lot tougher for some. One of the best Math teachers I've had.
She doesn't answer questions well, and the class was more boring than it needed to be.
Really nice professor. Really hard class (I have gotten A's in all my others), but she is relatively clear. Maybe math just isn't my cup of tea. Either way, I recommend her, and she really takes the time to help you out, even with Mathmatica.
She is such a good *teacher* - it is obvious that teaching is her priority. She will take the time to answer your questions, both in and out of class. Take at least one class with her; you'll retain the content from the class because she teaches so effectively.
Good professor. Knowledgeable and interesting. Doesn't make class too stiff. She does not, however, give away those grades for free. You will actually have to do some real work for her.
way too obsessed with mathematica. i hate that program and that class was SO boring. she's a nice enough person but i hated the class
Really great professor. If you know how to use a computer and keep up with the homework, there is no way you won't get an A. She goes over any homework questions you have in detail and never skips steps, making everything really clear and easy to understand. She likes Mathematica a lot, but you learn it as the class goes on, and it's not hard
Very good professor. Passionate about what she teachers. I feel like half the semester was spent on mathematic but if you learn how to use it and practice once in a while you'll do fine as it'll make integration among other things a lot easier. No calculator used ever which is a big change for most. TAKE THIS PROFESSOR - EASY A if you do the work.
The class itself is very difficult, so it is good that prof. Read is a great teacher. The only issue is that she is incredibly impersonal when it comes to working with students individually. Don't expect any help on material outside of class, because you probably won't get it.
She is a great teacher, and if you do the work it's an easy A. Obviously it's a lot of homework since it's a math class. She is an awkward person, but great at explaining things... even outside of class contrary to what someone else wrote.
Great Professor. She always went over any questions we had on the homework and didnt collect it. Quizzes and tests werent hard if you did the homework though. She really like Mathematica, which made a lot of the class easier
handwriting on board is incomprehensible! She's not the worst but doesn't give good notes.
Endearing.
First thing comes to mind is someone who could care less about you or your well being. Not personable and treats students the same way.
I had mixed feelings about her. Positive: She was usually very clear in teaching material. Negative: She's definitely not the most personable professor...she was always willing to help, but wasn't always very helpful. It also took a while to get used to Mathematica, which was frustrating at times, but turned out to be pretty helpful in the end.
Really helpful. Great pace. Had her for Calc 2. Mathematica wizard. Not difficult if you go to class and do the work. Truly wants you to succeed.
She is wonderful. I had her for calc 2 and she is by far the best math instructor I have ever had. If you go to lecture and do the work you will do great. Mathematica is tough in the beginning but really helpful in the end. Take her course
One of the best professors I've had at UVM. She teaches well, she's available to help, and she grades fairly; she's generous with partial credit too. I've had her for 21 and 22, and I'd recommend her to anyone. She comes off cold, but if you go see her, she is really sweet.
I took both Calculus I and II with "HPR" my freshman year. She is a great teacher. She loves the subject material, presents it in a way that is more clear to the average person, and is a sweet lady. A couple things: class calculations are done with Mathematica not TI calculators and you don't really need to buy the textbook (just an online code).
Prof. Read is a great teacher; she presents the information in an easily accessible way and it is obvious that she not only knows what she is talking about, but that she loves the subject as well. She is also easy to get in contact with if issues arise.
Favorite math teacher at uvm. She explains things really clearly and is always available for extra help.
HPR is an amazing professor and knows her stuff. Would highly recommend.
HPR is a great professor. If you pay attention in class and do all of the WebAssign, you will do just fine. She is a very fair grader. Mathematica does take some getting used to, but I ended up loving it. Take 21/22 with HPR if you can.
Straight forward and always available to help. VERY messy notes sometimes hard to follow and goes slightly fast. Mathematica takes getting used to but it can be a helpful tool once understood.
I loved Helen. She seems dry at first, but she is actually a great math teacher. The class should be easy if you take your time on the webassign and do the mathematica labs. She is very straight forward, you'll know what to expect. No tricks.
I loved Prof Read's teaching style! Handwriting is a bit rough, but you get used to it. Really good at TEACHING the Mathematica software, which is not something other professors seem to be able to do.
She actually teaches mathematica, which is surprising. She grades easy you just have to do the homework. Lots of grades to help boost overall grade.
She's the greatest woman alive
Shes a saint.
Uses a computer program more than actually doing mathematical workconcepts. Expects you to know how to use the program. The final is more of the computer program than calculus itself. I recommend taking Math 021 with a different professor. Learn how to do the math with paper and pen, not a glitchy system.
Teaches a computer program instead of teaching calculus. Tests are hard and if you miss a quiz for any reason (like being sick or not being in the class the first week of the semester) you get a zero. Homework a.k.a. using the computer program is worth so much of your grade that if you don't figure it out you are going to do terribly in the class.
Great teacher, but a lot of homework. I sucked at calc 1, and took her for calc 2 and it was much better. Her tests aren't impossible, but her grading is pretty strict. Her Mathematica labs actually teach you how to use the program (which I use to hate more than anything) and it's actually very helpful. A++ teacher
Fair grader, very nice, very clear, enjoyable personality. She doesn't make the class any more difficult than it needs to be, however just due to the nature of the class, I certainly wouldn't describe it as easy.
You think that you have the material down, then homeworks are fine, and quizzes are okay. but then exams are tough. not really a friendly professor.... not rude, but comes across as arrogant.
Helen Read is a really nice professor of math. She is always there to help you whenever you have questions. Although she gives many practices but they are really helpful.
HP Read is a very clear math teacher and explains things really well, she grades fairly and her class is super straight forward. She's also pretty nice and helpful when you need it, just be wary of mathematica, it can be really weird, but she'll help you through that.
Moves too fast and the in-class examples are way easier than the online homework questions. Too demanding with workload, expect to do homework each night on a topic just learned that day, only to learn a new topic the next day and have homework on that the following night. There is just not enough time to absorb the material.
Not very clear with the material, goes very quickly and seems to be scattered. Often only goes over what you need to know during the last 5 minutes of class right before she assigns homework on WebAssign, which is often much more complex than the couple in-class examples gone over at the end of the class. Tests are tough, but fair.
She is a very organized and effective teacher! Started each class by going over difficult homework problems. The lectures were super clear and to the point. Made sure everybody understood the concepts before moving on. Still, the best thing is: she taught Mathematica in a way that you could use it as a study tool to understand difficult concept
Helen is an awesome teacher. I do not enjoy most math courses, but combinatorics is basically fun puzzles. She explains concepts very clearly, uses a good mix of examples, and keeps class interesting. This course the perfect amount of challenging as long as you go to class and keep up with the homework.
Great professor. Explains material thoroughly, does many examples & goes over homework. Helpful @ office hours. Math that makes you think & really stimulating counting problems & arrangements. Not easy, every problem is different, but put in the work & you'll succeed. Uses Mathematica on tests, no need to calculate things by hand.
Great teacher, learn a lot in the lectures, and if you skip class it's going to be very difficult for you. It's fairly easy to take notes in her class.
Professor Read is one of the best professors I've had to date. She has a passion for math, and it is infectious. Even if you aren't a math or engineering major, you have to care about the subject matter, and you will do well. She teaches in a very structured manner, but you have to put forth effort in order to keep up. I hope to have her again!
very reliant on mathematica, for those who are not familiar with software, you are going to have a tough time, as her labs are very reliant on them
Helen is amazing! She explains every topic so clearly, and if you miss something or need it explained again all you have to do is ask. The assignments and tests are fair and very straightforward.
She is a wonderful person who is a joy to be around. She's easy to talk to in and out of class. She's very passionate about what she does and makes learning very easy! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! One of the best teachers I've ever had!
Amazing teacher who is very good at helping people figure out and plug the holes in their mathematical backgrounds, as well as explaining calculus so it's easily understood. DO NOT take the Tues/Thurs section. 2-hour blocks are too long, especially at the end of the day. It's impossible to focus on math for 2-hrs. Take her in a normal section.
If you like structure, this Read is great. Material is extremely difficult, but if you put in the time and effort, including office hours, it really helps. Lectures are ESSENTIAL, and the textbook is rarely used. She teaches fast, but if you ask questions she will explain thoroughly. Extremely consistent with her syllabus!
Great professor, but the material can be difficult if you're not a math person. The lectures are very organized and straightforward, but will be useless to anyone who doesn't take notes or show up to class. That being said, show up to class and take notes. If you need help, go to office hours and she'll help you out. You'll learn a lot if you try.
You have to show up in order to get a grade, even though she doesnt take attendance, its not the stereotypical college scenario. Very structured and straightforward. She kind of seems like a robot at times as ive only seen her smile a handful of times but shes definitely a genuinely nice person who cares about her students.
I really love Calculus as a subject but this professor really makes it tough for me to enjoy it. Didn't learn a single thing from her to be honest. She's pretty nice about the deadlines and is extremely knowledgeable in her subject, she just can't teach very well. A lot of homework and labs, very heavy usage of Mathematica. Wouldn't take her again.
Professor Read is very knowledgable in her subject and helpful, but I believe she needs to work on her style of teaching and what she uses to teach. Mathematica is used frequently in this class and if you aren't Mathematica savvy like me, then you will struggle on quizzes and tests.
Helen is the best. Mathematica can be tough at first but is very helpful after you learn how to use it
Learn how to use Mathematica you're graded on those labs, quizzes and tests. If you keep up with the class and go to office hours it'll be fine. She always goes over at least some of the homework problems every class so thats nice. Has lots of office hours. Not graded by attendance at all.
She is super knowledgable, patient, and wants to make sure you'll come out understanding a topic after you ask a question. Do the homework as best you can, go to class, and you'll do just fine on her quizzes and exams. For anyone needing this class and may not feel very confident about Calc II, (like I was) I'd 100% recommend.
Helen is a really good professor. Not many can teach a math class well, especially a difficult one like calculus 2 but they do it amazingly well. All the material is well explained, they are easily available out of class, and even though the class is very test heavy, Helen gives a lot of partial credit so if you have test anxiety too, youll be okay
HPR was great, class was very structured and there was a lot of work. The work was manageable how ever. I would take her for the rest of my math classes if I could
Professor Read is such a great professor. Really wants you to succeed and will go over any subject that you have a question on until you understand it. Weekly quizzes, but they're easy as long as you put the work in beforehand. Really fair with grading and gives excellent partial credit. Would absolutely take them again.
Professor Read is a great math teacher! You can tell they are genuinely passionate and extremely knowledgeable about the subject. There aren't any surprises, the class is very consistent with a quiz or test at the end of each week and webassign assignments every night (except after quizzes/tests).
Prof. Read will give you a great understanding of the material if you are committed to going to class everyday, doing all the homework, and spending time outside of class on the material. If you are looking for an easy credit, take another professor.
Helen Read is hands-down the best instructor I have ever had. Maybe she's not always the most exciting, but heck, this is high-level math not an amusement ride. Her instruction is the most clear, concise, and easily understandable of any professor at UVM. Her assignment load is doable and understanding.
Prof. Read is the best math teacher I have ever had. They are the reason I am a math minor. Their class isn't easy by any means, but the lectures and examples help so much. There's a quiz almost every week, but they're short and easy to study for. The tests are every few weeks and you get a review assignment that prepares you very well.
I have taken Calc I and Calc II, and next semester will be taking Calc III with Professor Read. They do a very good job of explaining the coursework thoroughly and concisely. By far my favorite lecturer at UVM. If you can, take their courses. They upload all class notes online, so attendance is optional, but listening to them explain helps so much
Professor Read is clear in their directions and lectures. They will stop to try and explain things in a different way if you ask, which can be really useful in this subject. If you're not a math whiz, you should do the practice problems outside of class, because counting is surprisingly difficult. Their exams usually have Star Trek references.
The GOAT. All you need to know
I love Prof. Read. They are a fabulous professor who genuinely cares about their students. I can pop into office hours for a quick question and they help or reteach it to me in 5 minutes. I highly suggest them for any class. I am taking their Calc III next semester and I am excited to see them on Day 1! They are also a nonbinary legend.
Professor Read was great, goes pretty slow to make sure everyone understands the material and gives plenty of opportunities for questions. Homework every night but its not too bad, quizzes once a week and 4 tests throughout the semester. I like their drop policies so if you tank a homework or a few quizzes you wont get screwed.
Professor Read is a good teacher but the lectures often went by really really slow and were hard to stay engaged in. However, I think you cannot do well in this class without attending the lectures, as the content is much tougher to understand straight from the book. There is Webassign after every class and additional labs on Mathematica.
Dr. Read is a great professor! Calc II has a significant amount of coursework; you'll have daily homework assignments due at the start of next class, a quiz/exam every week, and a mathematica lab every 1-1.5 weeks. The heavy workload is made up for by clear, helpful lectures and in-class review. Also, memorization is required for quizzes/exams.
Prof. Read is awesome! Highly recommend taking with them. The tests and quizzes were very fair. They were very very responsive to questions whcih made the course a lot easier!
Lectures drone on and are the enemy of a sleep deprived college student. Attendance isn't mandatory but is taken by Prof. Read. Tests/quizzes are brutal in their point structure.
For calc 1: Attendance was taken but not mandatory. We had weekly quizzes and 4 tests which were always fair and easy to predict what would be on them. Definitely do the homework as it is good practice and for a grade.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
29%
Textbook Required
54%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.14 avg changeRatings by Course
MATH173
5.0
(6)MTHH
5.0
(1)MATH021022
5.0
(8)MTH022H
5.0
(1)022
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
MATH
4.0
MATH21
3.8
CALC2
3.4
MATH022
3.4
MATH173
3.3