4.3
Quality2.9
Difficulty69%
Would Retake180
Reviews69%
Would Retake
180
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
121
4
23
3
15
2
13
1
8
What Students Say
“Here is the truth about John”
MTH161 - 5.0 rating“This professor is nice but he is tooo fast”
MATH163 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
55%
Textbook Required
23%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-0.70 avg changeRatings by Course
MTH4
5.0
(2)MATHE004
5.0
(1)MTH04
5.0
(1)MTH03
5.0
(2)MATH166
5.0
(2)Difficulty by Course
MTH162
5.0
MTH111
5.0
MATH182
4.0
MTH261
4.0
MTH154
3.8
Reviews (180)
he is a very nice teacher, and all his tests and quizzes are open notes!! he is easy on homework, but a lot of homework!! with this professor, you will always have a second chance on your test and quiz, he is here to help us learn, not fail us!!!
Mr. Scalea is frickin' awesome! Definitely take him if you want to get an A. All you need to do is show some effort and you will succeed in this class. If you don't get something right away, Scalea will do his best to help you understand it. He feels badly when his students don't understand something!!
Take this class! Mr. Scalea is so nice and he really does not want to see his students fail. He provides make up chances for every test and quiz and while homework is assigned there are no due dates so you can do it at your own pace. Im expecting an A in this class.
Prof. Scalea is a really great math professor. I'd highly recommend him to anyone who normally struggles with the subject. He gives you EVERY chance to succede, and clearly cares about his students. Tests are not easy, but are open note, and he allows retakes (which saved my grade!) He gets an A++ from me.
He is very reasonble, he gives u time to improve your grade. I think he's the best math teacher so far for me.
Lots of studying; not hard just time consuming. Helpfulness: Absolutely dream. He's compassionate, forgiving and easy to listen to & learn from. I had no interest at all in taking this class but b/c of him I’m glad I did. I strongly recommend The Student's Study guide + textbook. Respectful & doesn't waste your time. Valuable class. A++ Professor.
Answers all Qs w/ respect, never looks down on you or says "We covered that already." Down-to-Earth.Open notes (anything you want) on ALL exams.Not open book.Retakes on exams & problem sets (takes higher grade).Exams are almost IDENTICAL to problem sets/homework.No due dates on homework. Very lax. No mandatory attendance.Very COOL!
Scalea is the greatest math teacher I have ever had! He made everyhing understandable and if you don't get it, he will do his best to help you. He also lets you re-take everything so you can get the best grade. Unlike most teachers, he's passionate about his subject and he wants you to succeed!
MR. SCALEA IS THE BEST TEACHER IN THE WORLD!!.Before i started taking his class i sucked at math.Mr. Scale made me change my mind, he helps you so much, he doesnt put due dates on the HW and lets u retake tests, he is very organized and wise, he is also very funny,very patient and goes beyond any expectations.If u take his class u will learn ALOT
John Scalea is a patient and very good math teacher. He has a quirky sense of humor and does a lot to help you boost your grade. When you take a math course especially something like math for liberal arts I strongly suggest him.
Fantastic teacher! Willing to help you figure out questions, and his reviews right before each test make the tests a walk in the park. Very good job of explaining difficult concepts, and will review until everyone's got it. Many second chances and extra credit, book is used but not too much. Planning to take 152 from him!
One of the best math teachers I've ever had. His teaching style is very student-friendly and his lectures are very understandable. He is an extremely helpful teacher who will spend as much time as needed to help you understand whatever is giving you trouble. I can say without a doubt that he honestly cares about you and your future. Two thumbs up.
I didn't get a good grade in his class but I can easily say that he is a great guy. He's always willing to help you out and he's even there after class if you have a personal problem--he DOES care. He doesn't make the mistake of oversimplifying things like a lot of math teacher and gives open note tests.
Great teacher. He goes so far out of his way to help out his students, its almost not even fair. If anyone doesn't do well in his class, it's entirely their own fault.
Wonderful professor. Very helpful and really cares whether his students are learning. Will explain difficult topics repeatedly until understandable. Best math professor I've had.
Love this guy! He makes the class laugh while still making it easy to understand the material. Back in HS I sucked at math -- not anymore! Now I really like it! Really really great teacher; wish I could keep him for Calculus. :)
THE BEST TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD!! Mr. Scalea is the bomb.com. I absolutly love his teaching style and his amazing willingness to help his students. Take his class. I took him for Pre-Calculus and Calulus and wish he could teach me every other subject I need. Did I say he is amazing? He is:) Mr. Scalea you rock!!!
easy teacher because you can retake all his tests, but all my friends who took him the previous are having a hard time in calculus because they didn't really learn anything from pre calc. easy to get an A in his class, but if you want to learn, you should take victorine. best math teacher at nova!!!
He is an amazing teacher, teacher and explains material well. Gives you tons of extra credit opportunities. Every quiz and test can be taken the second time around and will take the best score. Best teacher def recommend him to all. Easy A -
Scalea is absolutely awesome. Wether you are a math wizz or a total donkey, he's the teacher for you. He will work hard for you - explains specifics until you understand the material. You can also re-take his tests if you bomb them. Plus you don't fall asleep to his teacher. He's a goofy yet funny guy and does a great job TEACHING.
Do homework, go to class all the time, you will get good grade and knowledge. GREAT teacher
He is one of the best Math teachers on this planet. He explains the concepts crystal clear. I was always a weak student in Math but after taking his class I realized how easy Mth cud be. I cant thank him enough.His aim is to pass the students with good grades not fail them unlike others. His tests are really easy and can be retaken 2-3 times.
Excellent Professor with the patience of Job. Don't quite get it in class? He'll explain it until you do. Having trouble with something while you're studying at home? Call him any time of the day or night, he'll help you. If you need a Math course and he's teaching it, TAKE HIS CLASS! Thank You, Prof. Scalea-it's been a pleasure.
This guy will exhaust every resource to help you. He is truly dedicated to teaching Math. I would strongly recommend taking one of his courses if you need developmental math credits. He does have some very odd mannerisms, though, which can be distracting. Still, if Math isn't your forte, take Prof. Scalea. He will do everything he can to help you.
Scalea is awesome...brilliant. Knows his stuff & teaches it clearly. Takes all the time you need to understand it as well. Love his sense of humor. He made my least favorite subject fun. He wants you to succeed & will help you do so.
He made this class bearable!He is great! Wants everyone to pass. He will let you stay as late as needed to finish an exam. He doesn't care how long it takes you, just do it!
Scalea is a good teacher. He will do everything he can to make sure you pass. He will stay after and give you opportunities to re-take tests. This semester, all of his test have been open notes. His test review is the same exact outline of the test with different questions. Easy A if you put forth the effort.
THE BEST
Makes it extremely hard to fail. Goes above and beyond to make sure you understand everything that is going on. Even lets you retake tests that didnt get a good score on.
By far the best math teacher an NOVA. He does examples, the class does related worksheet problems, which he then goes over with the class. You hand in those worksheets that he just gave you the answers to, for grade. Tests are open note/book/calculator/even cellphone for calculating. HW online - all of it is graded at end of term. Book optional.
this guy is amazing! love him hes so awesome! you can retake tests! someone give this guy a raise!
Took him for 151 and 152. Thanks to him I got my first A in math EVER with no tutoring. He doesn't skip steps, he will rework entire problems to make sure everyone gets it. Quizes are in class worksheets which you go over as a class. Tests/exams are open note and calculator. Homework is done online and due at the end of the semester. Amazing prof!
The best math teacher ive ever had
BEST TEACHER EVER. HELPFUL, IF YOU DONT GET IT IN HIS CLASS YOU WONT GET IT ANYWHERE ELSE! PROMISE YOU THAT
BEST PROFESSOR EVER!! I loved Scalea! If you don't understand something, he will put forth all of his effort just to help you! Can retake tests. Make sure to show up to class to do the in-class worksheets-he goes over them with the class before you turn them in!
He is the most wonderful teacher I have ever met. I took him for MTH 163 and MTH 271 and loved both his classes. The best teacher one would ever take. Even recommended him to my friends and little sister and she is taking him for MTH 151. Thank you for all your help.. YOUR ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
Best Teacher Ever. He pushed my grade up from a C to a B because of some technical deficulties. It didnt look good when I talked to the dean, but he believed in me, and for that, he is not only a motivation to keep my two jobs and be enrolled in school full time but so much more. He should be figure to all teachers confused or lost in this world!!!
He's THE GREATEST! I am someone who DESPISES math and can barely do simple arithmetic. He makes sure you understand what you're doing. He's not strict. If you wanna text in class, that's on you, but be prepared to know what you need to do in order to pass. Let's you retake tests and offers points on as much as possible. Definitely recommended!
Great Teacher. Online HW. You can retake test and use notes for the tests and final. Never bought the book.
Awesome teacher!! I used to hate math because I felt like I never fully understood it. Prof. Scalea truly helps you to understand what you need to know in a clear way and gives you the benefit of the doubt. Needless to say, though it can still be hard, I no longer hate math.
He is an amazing person and a wonderful professor. I feel that he has a solution to my every problem. I would love to take his class again. He is always there to help you so highly recommended.
Best teacher ever!!! Seriously try to take all the classes he teaches becuase he is the BOMB!!!
NOVA ran out of engineering professors so they hired him from math to teach Engineering Econ. Not bad for his first year with the class. There is way too much homework though. Tests are straight from the class worksheets, open note. He accepts corrections for half credit. Must have a graphing calculator. Book is for homework only.
Best teacher ever INDEED!!!
He is the best teacher I've EVER had. Very helpful, he stayed with me after office hours to help me with homework. A very dedicated professor indeed.
easy points for work in class..test are home take! it's not easy, but it's not too hard..hes helpul, so nice!! im pretty sure if you work with him, youll get a good grade
He is the kindest professor - he wants to help every student, wants us to succeed and goes above and beyond to help! You MUST work, but he gets you there if you don't understand! BEST person/instructor!!!!!!! Must say I gave him a big hug when I passed and am very thankful!
Professor Scalea is awesome. He really cares that his students do well. He is very helpful and works with his students to make sure they pass. He is fair and is willing to spend time with his students in class, lab, and at office hours. I am not a math person and he helped me a lot.
Professor Scalea is awesome. He really cares about all of the students in his class and takes time to work with individuals. He read to us for about 5 minutes at the end of class because he thinks it is important to be well-rounded. I just signed up for another class with him.
AWESOME TEACHER, VERY HELPFUL AND NEVER COMPLAINS. VERY ENCOURAGING HE'S SO MUCH FUN!! TAKE MR SCALEA :)
Professor J.Scalea is one the best (math) teachers I've ever come across at NOVA. He cares about his students succeeding by putting the work in and offering help if needed. He makes math comprehendible and stress free even if you're not a wiz at it. No struggling is allowed. Take him for any math class!!!
Scalea is a legend. If there is a professor out there that will bend over backwards to make sure you understand the material, it is John Scalea. I don't care which math you are going to take, just take it with him and don't look back.
Mr. Scalea gives you advices that help you in life. He's a great and friendly teacher. He makes me want to be a better person.
Scalea is wise-guy from MIT, he knows what he's talking about and actually gives you advice for real life. He gets no happiness for failing you so put some integrity and work in the class and you will be fine.
Excellent teacher! Wants to see you do well and is willing to do anything to help you succeed. Very nice and approachable if you have questions or concerns. I would highly recommend you take any of his classes!
Very polite and helpful professor. Very hard exams and does not curve. Watch out for the final, I averaged an A until the final and got 16/100. Passed with a C.
Great engineering econ professor. Incorporated his years of industry experience into the classroom so that the students may understand the importance of what they're learning. I think that for a class like engineering econ, this is very important. Concepts may seem tricky at times, but that's an aspect of the class, not the professor.
Mr. Scalea is like the father everyone wants. He is dedicated like mad to help you succeed. If you don't understand something, he will teach you personally. He also is so relaxed, it's amazing. Take him for MTT. If you don't, you will fail. I cried when I passed MTT with him because I knew I would never have another professor like him.
Overall great professor. He was nice and the class was set up with enough extra credit to raise you a whole letter grade. he has a lot of knowledge about the airline industry and he uses his background as a baseline for the lectures. Buying the textbook is necessary as all of the hw comes from it. I recommend taking his class.
GREAT TEACHER!! WILLING TO HELP AT ALL COST. HE IS THE MAN!!!
Mr. Scalea is such a nice man. He really motivates you to want to do better in life and is very inspirational and funny too! He also knows math on the back of his hand. But one thing that bothered me with his class was how I didn't really learn anything. But tests, exams are all open note. He does care about his students learning... ask questions!
Professor Scalea told entertaining stories throughout the lectures, and demonstrates the problems clearly. I felt that he was very interested in my personal success. When I told him I got an in-class problem wrong, he would even look at my work and find my individual mistake.
Mr. Scalea is so patient and kind. He really wants you to learn and do well. I never felt stupid asking a question. Even if your answer is wrong, he always finds something right about it, so you don't feel like an idiot. He makes me feel capable of learning the material and I know he will stick with me every step of the way.
Absolutely the best math teacher I ever had. I hate math and simply do not understand it. He would always explain very clearly and answer any questions anyone had to the fullest. Very courteous. Tests were open note but not the final. Studying is recommended though. Gives points for the worksheets done in class so attendance is mandatory.
Professor Scalea took a really tough class, and made it as easy as possible. If you pay attention, take good notes, complete the homework (done in class) and practice, you will pass. If you don't take good notes... You will fail, guaranteed, because the textbook is awful. You will only know what to do if you write down how he does it in class.
Math has always been a subject I struggle with and I wouldn't have passed if it weren't for Prof. Scalea's teaching style & patience. He truly cares about you succeeding unlike other math teachers. Provides good office hours & ample opportunity for extra help when you have questions! He is both an excellent Professor & human being.
ALWAYS THERE FOR HELP! ALLOWS RE-TAKES ON ALL EXAMS... VERY NICE PROFESSOR
*No partial credit *Doesn't pay much attention to emails
Best math teacher I have ever had. Although, there was a test every week and he makes you work for your grade. Attendance was not "mandatory" but necessary as you got worksheets each class. I also spent massive amounts of time in the math lab, but I'm not very good at math.
Professor Scalea lectures are boring, but you take notes, and youre graded based on that. plus test every week; but you are allowed to retake it. a little grumpy sometimes, but he is there for you.
Burns through the material and tests every week but are open notes and lets you retake exams. Puts some tricky questions on tests. Lots of opportunities to earn points from turning in homework and worksheets. Lots of extra credit points too. Show up every class, turn in all homework, do OK on tests and you will get a pretty good grade.
I love this man. Take him you will not regret it. OPEN NOTE EXAMS. that should be enough to convince you, plus he's so sweeeeet
He is super sweet and nice and never gets mad. However, if you are a person who does not understand math at all, then I recommend you not take any of his classes. For math, some people need clear and concise notes to follow through with, but Mr. Scalea does not do that. I have not learned anything and I am scared that I might have to retake it.
He is one of the nicest professors I have had. He came in on a Sunday once to let me retake a test. His tests are tough but his grading is very fair.
Just finished MTH181 with him. Very nice, polite, and friendly. He is not the greatest at explaining certain concepts. He gives automatic 90 pt extra credit to everyone. His in-class worksheets (4 or 8 pts each) almost bump the grade up an entire letter grade. It's impossible to fail the inclass wksts since he goes over every problem. Tests are ok.
Real nice guy that will help you out, you just have to ask. Tests are tough but nothing that wasn't covered in class is on them. Would recommend
You must work hard to do well in this class. Exams are open note, but they are pretty difficult. John is a great professor, never have I seen someone who works hard for his students. You use mathxl for homework, but it seems that a lot of his test questions come from the book. He truly cares for your success even allows retakes.
John Scalea is a great professor and person. He is very helpful, caring, and has a good way of plugging concepts into the real world. He has some great anecdotes that are relevant to what he is teaching. Expect homework. Notes are easy to take. Math XL has unlimited attempts. Grading is clear. Do the notes and homework and you'll pass the class.
If you aren't great at math I would recommend Scalea. He assigns homework online, which also explain what you do wrong and how to get the answer. For class notes, he gives worksheets and works out the problems. All the homework is due on the day of the test and he lets you use a calculator on the tests.
Extremely thoughtful and helpful professor who provides re-tests if you have difficulties. This professor is saddled with a course that covers enough topics to fill three semesters as an accounting major so clarity is an issue. The instructor is aware of this and provides ample opportunities to do better in this course but the material is dense.
second time taking his class, he is not bad of a professor. You got to work hard for your grade. Take advantage of him saying he will help you if you need it. MathXL takes a long time to complete, open note test, super hard though (you can retake if you did terribly). Go to class and complete the notes! (alot of work for this class).
Very smart, very nice guy. This teacher was wasted on this subject. His grading is incredibly flexible. He takes 10% off the potential total so that you can skip some of the work you absolutely cannot stand without suffering a penalty (X/660 becomes x/600). That said, the book is completely useless, so pay attention in class if you want to do well
This professor is nice but he is tooo fast. I am taking another professor and he explain more clearly and is verify helpful. I wouldn't this guy again ever.
I love Professor Scalea! Math is by far my hardest subject. He realizes that Math isn't for everyone & his students have lives outside of class. He gives credit for in-class worksheets, h/w is a large part of the final grade and you can use notes on exams. He teaches life lessons through stories about his life. He's polite. Expects you to work hard
There is a lot of homework to do for this class, but the homework is great practice for the tests. This class can feel a little slow if you are already very familiar with the subjects, but if this is new to you, the pace is good. Tests can be retaken at an extremely flexible schedule. Put in as much work as you need, no reason not to get an A.
He is the best professor ever. I suck at math, but he explains it to you so easily you won't even believe it. He is so caring to his student, he is willing to help you with your college stuff. Just take him. It has been such an honor.
I took this professor for some of my first math classes. I must say, I was not very confident and didn't really think I could do it. He was awesome! really made me feel like I could do it. he is all about helping you learn. I would take this guy for another class in a heartbeat, Need more professors like him.
Let me tell you one thing, he is very nice. He does allow you to retest. But he is extremely difficult to understand. He is a very tough grader, he cuts point from you like a cake. He puts things on test that has not been reviewed in class. Homework is too much.
great prof and amazing person, class is hard tho u need to work cuz its math.
Prof. Scalea went a little bit fast for me. Much of the material I had never heard before and we sort of just whizzed through it. That being said, he was very accessible outside of class and lets you take up to 3 other versions of a test if you don't like your grade. The online homework is very time consuming, but the practice is helpful
Scalea really cares about us students and will help you if you seek it. However, I found the homework load a bit ridiculous, accounting for less than 10% of your grade but consisting of hundreds problems. Be prepared to take long & tough tests every 3 classes. I didn't like the class much, but maybe it's just bc it's trig.
I had Professor Scalea for MTH 163. Scalea is knowledgeable about math. He gives decent lectures on the subject matter of the course. Be sure to do the homework because it will help a lot when it comes to testing time. Tests/exams count for a good portion of the course grade. He is very caring and wants you to pass his class.
Scalea is a great professor who really cares about the students. He schedules review days before exams and allows you to retake tests. Do not skip class, though, or you will have a hard time on the tests.
Difficult coursework for the mathematically challenged, but he is so great with his students that I highly recommend taking him. Bends over backwards to try to help you with the material, offering lots of opportunities to retake tests. He has a couple rules he expects you to follow in class, but he's more like a dad than a disciplinarian. Take him!
VERY NICE MAN BUT TOOO MANY TESTS AND THIER HARD AND LONG AND BORING TEACHING STYLE, BUT KIND AND HELPS OUT
Professor Scalea goes way above and beyond for his students, providing every opportunity to help throughout the course outside class hours. There are 6 tests, midterm and final. My only saving grace for this class was the ability to retake the tests I had struggled with. Highly advise to complete the online HW ahead and READ ahead of each class!
Scalea wants you to do well. I am terrible in math this was my third time taking math 163. Taking precalc with Scalea made me feel like I could actually do well. One of the only professors I've ever had who will do everything in his power to help you. You also have the option to retake tests which you should take advantage of! I HIGHLY recommend!
Professor Scalea really cares that his students pass his class. The material is challenging, but if you show up to class and pay attention, it'll be easier. You can retake the tests to get a better grade which you really should take advantage of. He posts reviews for all the tests that are really similar to the tests so you really should do them
Difficult class if you're not great at math but AMAZING professor! Prof. Scalea is not only helpful, but also very caring. He understands math is not easy for everyone, so he lets you take different versions of the tests to improve your grade. He sincerely wants students to work hard to get the best grade they can! Great human!
Professor Scalea has saved me from failing math 173 because of test retakes and extra credit. He is a fair grader but the class is very hard and he tries to be accommodating. I don't think I would have passed 173 if I were have taken anyone else! Believe retakes come in handy especially for a 5 credit course
Professor Scalea is just an amazing and compassionate professor. He wants his students to succeed and gives them every opportunity he can to make that happen. I have a math disability and found the class to be challenging. Luckily I was able to retake tests for higher grades which really helped me to succeed and show my fullest potential. The best.
Prof. Scalea is easily the BEST Math Instructor at NOVA. So nice, helpful and really wants his students to succeed. Offers retakes for every exam and offers to help students with just about anything, Math or otherwise. Take him, you definitely won't regret it
You'll learn by actually doing the problems (which are basically the same questions you'll encounter on exams). He collects all HW and projects at the end of the semester (procrastinators, beware!), and generously allows retakes of exams.
The tests are hard and the homework on MathXL is not as great as the paper homework.
First off I want to say hes a very nice professor, but his teaching style is not only hard but its extremely confusing and boring. He gives so many tests that are long and difficult. Allows retakes but never responds to emails. Tests are not open note.
Prof Scalea was one of the nicest professors I have taken even though he allows retakes his exams are hard and even a c is a challenge to get
Professor Scalea is a good professor. If you are not good in Math you will have a hard time with the course work. He gives test reviews for all test and the homework is easy. You can turn in all the homework at the end of the semester and retake any test before the final.
Hes super nice and funny!! The way he teaches may not work for everyone. He hands out worksheet at the beginning of the class and he gives you the answers and then you turn it in at the end and you get 5 points. The tests are long and difficult but you can retake them up to 4 times. Overall, if math isn't your best subject i wouldn't take him.
Was hesitant about taking him because of his mix of good and bad comments on here but he ended up being my favorite teacher ive had so far. He lets you retake all of your exams and is really there to help you and wants you to succeed. I understood the way he taught well which is hard for me to find because im bad at math. I recommend taking him!
Honestly, he's not really too bad of a professor, and my class seemed like an oddity, but at least for me, there were some serious issues, mainly in consistency. He was consistently late for class by 5-15 minutes, he consistently would rarely post the home work, and posted multiple weeks worth of it one class before the final because he forgot to.
John is an average professor, but I had a lot of issues with him. He is a very tough grader, the material on the exams were 10x harder than what we went over in class. On top of that, he is very disorganized and lost one of my tests. If you take anything from this review, take this, DON'T TAKE HIM OVER THE SUMMER.
Really good teacher but very difficult class over the summer! If math isnt your best area I would take Prof. Scalea in a regular session! He lets you retake tests which is good because they are HARD! Especially if youre not a math person. Grades this fairly quickly and is very reachable outside of class! Easy to pass but hard to get A-B range!
Professor scalea is the nicest person in the world, BUT his class was very hard and challenging for me. He teaches very fast and theres also ALOTTT of homework, BUT on the positive side he lets you retake all your tests which helps. Hes very sweet and nice but his class is challenging!!
Professor Scalea is hilarious in class. I've taken him twice, and his personality makes me want to come back to class. Unfortunately, I could not really grasp the subject, but I think that's just math in general. Be sure to read the textbook! It's really important that you fully understand the subject. He will help if you ask!
Mr. Scalea is a really nice and sweet man, he truly cares about his students. It is more than a math class, but a class of life lessons, so if you are there to just learn math it is not the class for you. However good for the credits, I think it is easy to pass with a A or B as long as you do homework and attend class. Tests can be difficult.
Professor Scalea is a really sweet and caring man. Every class starts out with a life lesson and then he starts with the math. His classes are boring, and the tests are hard. There's a lot of homework so stay up to date on those. He will let you retake each test once. The tests are based off the hw. he's always happy to help when you're confused.
Here is the truth about John. Mr Scalea is a really nice guy. His goal is to make sure all of his students passes the class. All you need to do is take his test retakes seriously and make sure you show up to class. If you do all of that, I granted you will earn higher than a B.
One of the nicest professors I have ever come across. Though, his classes and lectures are a bit dragged and arent as helpful as they should be. So far, as many students have mentioned, he puts in the grades at the end of the semester. He also doesnt communicate well in terms of whats going on in class. Nice guy, wouldnt take again tho.
Hes a really nice, genuine guy, and I feel bad. But he cant teach. Hell explain the material but not teach it. He cares about his students and wants them to succeed. He is really funny though. Every class is a life lesson, then he teaches. He allows retakes on tests and theres a lot of homework involved.
Outstanding professor, class is very easy and those who say it's not they just didn't try.
Professor Scalea is a very nice professor. "Scalea wants you to pass," is what he would say every class. And he truly means it, he gives you 3 attempts on each test and 2 attempts on the midterm but not the final. Homework is Aleks which is a handful but manageable. Overall the ones that gave this AMAZING MAN a bad rate they just didn't try.
Professor Scalea was one of the best teachers I've ever had! You can retake all the exams 2 times and he really helps you throughout the semester. Honestly, he is not really good at answering your emails on time, but everything else about him is great. Although, you need to study hard since it is an advanced math class and that's never easy!
Worst professor I've had in terms of teaching. Yeah he's a nice guy and cares but he would take simple concepts and make it more complex. His tests are very long and you won't be able to finish it in class. He allows retakes of tests but that's because no one can pass them. Seriously, just find a different professor. He's not worth it.
He's a really great guy and a great teacher if you put in the effort/actually pay attention. I was not the greatest at math in high school, but I payed attention and ended up with an A in the class. Calculus is a hard subject, but if you do all the problem sets and study those, you'll be fine on the tests. He also gives good extra credit
If you aren't good at math, I suggest you take a different professor. Scalea isn't the best at explaining how to solve problems. I would only retake Scalea for another easy math classe, not for more advance classes. If you already have a basic understanding for math, take him. Allows test retakes/ gives exam reviews almost identical to actual exam.
If you SHOW up and take initiative to retake his tests I GUARANTEE you will get atleast a B. I literally graduated from high school without taking algebra 2, and I got an A. THIS MAN MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO FAIL. His retakes are if not exactly, very similar to the original test, and he gives a study guide before-hand.
You get to retake every quiz 3 times, and the midterm twice. No retakes on the final. but these 3 things will make up 90% of your grade. He isn't very good at teaching the concepts but he will make it impossible for you to not get atleast a B. As class goes on he will make to get more lenient as he gets to know you more. Easy A
His way to teaching is old school and wasn't for me. But I think he knows the subject really well. For me, he doesn't explain it well and I couldn't understand his lectures. I have to read the book in order to better understand it. He's a good professor, but he just wasn't in tune with the way I study.
He is easily one of the best professors at NOVA. If you show up, pay attention, and put in effort you should pass with an A or a B. He allows re-takes and extra help outside of class. He just wants his students to be successful. I ASSURE YOU IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO PASS IS CLASS.
He is easy going professor but you have to work hard in calculus. His tests are heavy; however, if you do the problems set and pay attention, so you will be fine in the exams. Also, you can re-take the test 3 times but each time the score will reduction 5 points.
Prof Scalea is a nice guy but I found his lectures pretty difficult to understand. He doesn't use canvas and his teaching style is pretty old school. When in a lecture he will say what he is writing but doesn't explain/teach the material very well. Would not take this class again.
Scalea doesn't really know how to explain math concepts, but he's super helpful outside of class. I got an A in his class with an average high C test grades, but thats bc he gives out 5 pts for just showing up to class (total 100 pts). There are test retakes! Really great guy overall!!!
He is a nice guy but honestly cant teach. Calc solely depends on your professor and I do not recommend him. Ive never done bad in math and hes overall not good at narrowing stuff down. Basically my whole class was struggling. 6 test that were basically every week and one final. Retakes are allowed but harder. He also never even posted the syllabus
He is a very traditional teacher; however, he is also very diplomatic and very understanding. Mr. Scalea is kind and funny, he admits his flaws and mistakes, which is more than I can say about most of the teachers I had in High School. You can tell he cares about each and everyone of his students.
So I was under the impression that he was going to be somewhat easy. Wrong! I had the hardest time figuring out his excel project and what the instructions were for those projects. So much homework between MyMathLab, Excel projects, and studying for tests. One positive thing is he does give you a review test before each test. Choose wisely.
Scalea is the best math teacher at NOVA. A lot of ppl struggle with math & he really tries to help everyone succeed. There's a lot of work (projects, MyLab, 4 tests, midterm & final), but he gives you practice tests beforehand that almost match the tests (the #s are different though). Sign up early because his classes fill quickly. He's a real gem!
Prof Scalea is a really great guy, he cares for his students, and wants them to succeed. I wasn't a huge fan of his teaching style though and felt that he went through the material pretty fast, but also keep in mind that it's a heavy class (5c). ALEKS is SUPER IMPORTANT, so don't slack on the homework. This class requires a lot of work, be prepared
Mr. Scalea is a great math professor as he does his best in lectures to present the material so that students will understand. His class has many assignments from in-class worksheets, to excel projects, to homework assignments. However, he does give students second chances on most assignments and has a very clear grading criteria.
To start, Scalea is a very nice guy, but an extremely tough and unfair grader. Though he does allow retakes, I would not recommend this teacher. The retakes are harder, and he penalizes you as well as nit picks every little thing. I got points taken off for putting 3, instead of (3,0) etc, or accidentally not putting "Y " 3. Also there are 6 exams
8wk! He is very clear with his grading, he cares and wants students to pass. There are 7 excel projects, 4 tests, midterm, final, and 30 mymathlab assignments. MML hw can be very time consuming but you have until the end to submit it. Whats great about his grading is that he multiplies your final grade by 1.1 :) as long as you try you should pass!
He can be a tough grader sometimes but he cares and his grading is very clear. Take him!
Best professor take him!!!! You wont regret it.
He really cares about his students. There were a lot of tests (like 10) and those made up your grade. You can retake the tests 3 times, each a different version of the same material. He is super passionate about his students passing and learning. He has really flexible office hours, so if you are struggling, then he'll be there for you. THE BEST!!
Mr. Scalea is a caring and inspiring professor. He just wants the best for his students. At first, it was challenging, however, I quickly got the hang of it. Take advantage of the retakes he offers. He is an honest, compassionate, and understanding person. He knows his flaws and admits them. He is a great individual and instructor.
DON" TAKE HIM.
The most boring person on planet earth. While teaching he will go on rants and talk about his life stories that have absolutely nothing to do with the course. You'd learn more by watching grass grow. Condescending and not willing to answer questions. Truly lives in his own world.
Mr. S does not know how to teach. He stands and talks to himself. Does not engage class and does not answer questions. Gives too much homework which he does not give grade on till the end of semester. So you don't know your grade till end. Very rude person. Stay away.
Professor Scalea was an overall great Professor. He does have a lot of HW and tests/projects but it was honestly helpful. I do wish he was a bit more understanding of us student's workload before assigning us SO much work but at the end of the day it paid off. He's a great guy with a true passion to teach. He genuinely loves teaching!!
Professor Scalea is an outstanding professor because he gives his best in order to help his students to learn and to understand the course material. In addition, he really helps students to pass his class. There are a lot of homework assignments, tests and projects, but if students follow his instruction, they will finish everything on time.
He is a good professor, however, he talks way too much. He is a caring guy. One time he started class at 3:20 when it ended at 3:40. He gives a lot of units in pearson. Overall caring professor but tough graded. Wishing you the best for you and your family.
He is an amazing professor. He creates many chances for you to retake the exam to improve your grade. People just feel tired and give up. He is a kind professor when he tries to offer you extra helps to get better in your math class. However, math class is naturally tough and difficult. You have to try your best to earn a good grade. No exception.
Mr. Scalea is an amazing instructor, and I highly recommend him. He has a classic dry math-guy sense of humor, which makes his lectures amusing. This in turn makes it easy to absorb lots of info in his sessions. He gives you many worksheets to use as study guides; if you use them, and review his practice tests, you'll get a C or better.
Ah! I love mr. Scalea he's one of the nicest profs I've ever had. He genuinely cares about his students and really helps if you ask. I would definitely take him again. Do take him if you have the chance.
He is nice professor. Easy A. He teaches the simplest way to deal with math problems. There are six exams and three make-up exams per exam. Assignments just submit at end of semester. Almost no assignments. Activities are easy and related to daily life.
TBH it was a very negative experience. This teacher loves to hear his own voice only. He will not answer any questions. He does not know subject matter and never responds to you. STAY AWAY!
He loves to hear himself speak, you will get bored very quickly but he is very understanding and will try and help you to the best of his abilities. He has ton of tests but he does do retakes and reviews, reviews are very similar to the test. He will make sure you pass and remind you of assignments
In this class, he will provide 8 unit tests, 2 exams, and 5 projects. Each of tests and exams, he will provide reviews, and he will provide many opportunities to retake them. Especially, the projects I felt so helpful in my life.
Professor Scalea is caring and gives chances of retakes for the tests. Overall great professor
Scalea is an kind man he was extremely accommodating when it came to my anxiety disorder and accommodations. However there are 5 tests which you need to study for and mymathlab as well as mini projects. He allows retakes and makeups. Pay attention in class and review outside of it and you'll do fine.
He was a great professor, and was very ready and willing to help any student in any way they needed. He was a very approachable professor. His lectures can last a little long, and you'll need to pay attention to get a good grade. He offers up to 3 chances to retake any test, and offers retakes again before the semester ends.
This professor is literally the best professor out there. You cannot go wrong with Mr.Scalea. He is a very caring professor and wants his students to pass his class. He lets you retake exams. He is accessible outside of class. His exams are pretty straightforward. They are similar to the reviews he gives out. Take him I promise you won't fail.
Mr. Scalea is a phenomenal teacher. He cares about his students passing his class. Those that say that failed was because they didn't try to put in effort. This teacher is easy going and will help you. He is one of the easiest math class i've ever taken. I passed this class because we were allowed to retake exams.
Mr. Scalea is a pretty good teacher, his class has a lot of tests (once a week or once every two weeks.) but the homework can be done at your own pace and the projects are easy. My biggest complaint is that he pretty much only does word problems not regular problems, that was difficult for me. but overall a solid teacher and class.
Prof. Scalea truly cares about his student's well-being. He makes sure to go through each topic/problem clearly and it's very easy to follow along and really understand the topics. Not only is he really good at explaining everything but he lets you RETAKE exams as many times as you need. He is the reason I will be able to get off Academic Probation
He gives you the opportunity to do better by giving several test options and letting just your higher score. He gives projects that are fair and not really difficult. The only thing is if you take the complementary class of 54 and 154 at the same time like is require for many. It can be a little bit overwhelming with homework online plus test every
This is the best math teacher in Nova!! I am a freshman at nova and i was scared to get a good teacher but he was so chill and his class is so easy to pass all you have to do is pay attention to class. He is very funny in class.
He will make sure to give you the grade you deserve and will trying to work around your schedule to make sure you are passing and happy with the grade you receive at the end of the quarter.
Way too fast and crams a lot of different units in one class. Doesn't take the time to EXPLAIN, he flys by everything. When you ask multiple questions he says we'll talk about it later or will try to belittle them for asking too much. Would never take this class again. Only positive was being able to re-take. Tutors were better than this teacher.
He's a kind and empathetic instructor, always ready to assist his students in succeeding. His teaching methods are clear and supportive. He consistently opts for word problems over multiple-choice questions on his tests. I suggest taking his course if you're searching for a teacher who is committed to your success.
I took MTH 161 twice because I failed the first time due to not doing my part. The second time, I did all the work, attended class, and went to tutors, which helped me pass. The professor is caring and wants you to succeed. He does his part, and if you do yours, you'll be successful. He even allows test retakes and accepts late submissions.
His class was VERY easy. The only reason I did not get an A is because I'm not the the best at turning in assignments on time. In an effort to be fully transparent, I found his lectures INCREDIBLY boring. I often thought he went through concepts too slowly, and that he could have moved on quicker. Other boredom, I had no issues with his class.
Prof. Scalea is a caring instructor who wants his students to succeed. While his lectures can be a bit slow, he offers helpful resources like retakes and projects to support learning. Unstuck ai was a great supplemental study tool for me.
Was his class hard, yes. Did I almost fail all my exams, yes. But was he there supporting me through everything to make sure I got my B, YES! he is the sweetest man ever, an angel. He lets you redo exams as much as you need. Hw yes was annoying but he was so nice. But I'm happy I never have to take this class again.
Scalea is a great professor he truly really cares about his students!!, he always tries to make us laugh and have a smile on our faces, he always has office hour if you need them. He also is very understanding with any last minute changes. I would definitely take him again, he's always is willing to help his students no matter what.
One of the best and most understanding Professor's I've ever had the pleasure of taking, let alone the best math teacher I've had. 500 stars out of 5, would go to his spacious office cube again. He's so forgiving with letting you take retakes and will go over projects with you so you get the full grade. With his help I pulled my F up to a B.
This class is decent. Compared to the rest of the math instructors at my campus probably the best class you can take for 161. There are many credit opportunities, and there are like 5 exams/tests you have to do. However, you can retake each of them, and get a better score. The tests are not easy though, so put a lot of effort in studying.
If you want a math professor who actually wants you to succeed and will work with you, then definitely take him! I had him for an 8am class, and while it's a bit annoying to be up early, its worth it. There is a lot of homework but its doable if you do it on time. He allows for retakes. The projects are easy grade boosters, done in class. Take him!
Professor Scalea is a really really nice guy. I was honestly so sad that I had to drop because im terrible at math. He really cares about his students and genuinely seems to want them to succeed. If you need a math class credit, take him. The workload is significant, all math classes are, but at least you'll have a teacher that cares about you.
This professor was difficult to understand during lectures as many of the steps taken to solve equations weren't explained. The problems we did in class weren't anything like the homework we received through ALEKS. There was hours and hours of homework on ALEKS.
He's amazing! Super caring, wants you to pass, and an amazing dude! lets you retake tests, then only adds the points you earned to the grade book, the homework is 80 points (that's a whole test grade!) was willing to meet on Sunday for kids in finals week. Reviews before tests, and is more than happy to answer any and all questions. 20 out of 10!
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
55%
Textbook Required
23%
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B
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