Teaching style is kinda frustrating and boring, but his class is easy. If you do the homework, you'll totally ace the quizzes and tests;they're the same! He's a really nice and understanding person, not a jerk like some professors.

R. LaPuma was a great teacher... he seemed a little nervous at times and he kinda looks like Screech, but he is genuine. The other students in the class were mean to him and that wasn't right. I got an A, but I am smarter than the average MESA student.

Rus was always available for help when I needed it. Although this was the first time he taught this class, I learned a TREMENDOUS amount and I'm glad I had him as a professor. He is genuine and always means well.

He is a really nice guy. The class in itself is difficult but he keeps it simple. His explanations weren't always all that clear, but if you read the book and did the homework you had no problems.

He is very helpful but doesn't seems like he has a lot of expreience teaching lin. algebra. Lectures are almost totally useless since he simply copies the proofs and theorems from the book and puts them on the board, and doesn't explain them as well as th

A good and fair teacher. Does need to organize a little better. He seems kind of timid. But an interesting class. Very fair tests and quizzes.

people who dropped were thought they were too cool.. the kind that make lame comments out loud in class. I took this teacher and i royally suck in math. i did awesome. hes great w/ questions and will give you great hints on the exams. he does lots of examples, go to class and youll do well.

either I am in coma or him.

there's always room 4 improvement w/ anyone including mr. la puma. but instead of bagging, please be an adult and tell him how things can be improved n take at least to some credit to why you failed the class. be real!!! u know u didn't like his style, u lost interest, n u failed to do what it took to pass the class or settle for a W.

i feel this prof. works hard at trying to teach the students. he multi tasks by having more than just 1 class(i.e. subject). he may work at a slower pace than others, but that's to help you understand better. if you pay attention and involve yourself in class discussion, you might just learn something from him. good job professor.

People said Linear Algebra was easy. Russell's proof-based Linear Algebra course was not. He seemed very nervous on the first days of class but he taught OK when he got comfortable with the students. He knows his math and Linear Algebra well and will spend a lot of time after class to help you if you ask.

All you have to do is show up, do your homework, and youll be set for the tests! His teaching style is boring, but if you take notes and read the book, his homework wont be hard. Also, his test and quizes are out of the homework so if your failing then you know why. overall, pay attention, do your homework and youll be fine.

first off let me say Math is not my thing He is a bit timid, seems confused at times, and some what unorganized I belive this is because he is just way to smart for his own good Love this class Great teacher Do your homework you will do well He doesnt teach from the book but his ways are easier so show up! he will help you anytime you need it!

he stutters,he's kinda disorganized and looks nervous but he's an excellent teacher who tries to make it easy for everyone, really sweet guy and if you ask him he'll help you,i love his classes he's funny and awesome

I'll get it out of the way first, yes - he has a stuttering problem. Did that keep me from learning what he put out? Nope. This is one guy you can tell is way too smart for his own good, and has all the material down cold. If you're stuck on something, he has 300 ways to explain the solution to you, and is very patient.

really nice guy, but not too clear on teaching, I had to study on my own to understand the material. He gave most of his quizzes to go home. The tests are somewhat hard, but as long as you study the material really good you should do fine.

He is so nice!! He is a goof and seems painnfully shy, but has a good heart. Unfortunatly he is not the greatest at teaching. I recommend him if you are really good at math and just want a kind hearted person as your math teacher.

This professor was one of the best I have had in a long time. Math is not my subject, but Mr. LaPuma made sure I understood the material. He teaches at a very adequate speed. The arrogance you typically find in math professors is absent with LaPuma. No regrets. Will be looking out for him in the future.

Nice guy, but a total math nerd. Class was way easier than I thought it would be. If you have a pulse and put forth any effort you should get an A. He really wants everyone to bet an A or B. Would take him again.

He is a pretty good teacher. Ill have to admit, he is pretty boring. All we do the whole class is take notes. But he does give like 20- 30 minute breaks. But if you copy everything he writes, you dont need to buy a textbook cuz you just need to study off your notes and your good for the quizzes and tests. I never bought the textbook for the class.

No idea how you would EVER fail his class. He is scattered, but he explains concepts very simply and genuinely wants everyone to pass. Don't need the book; he uses the Mathxl website (VERY helpful). Tests are straight from the notes. Quizzes are 4?'s, some takehome, some group. My big complaint? His lack of backbone leads to a distracting class. :(

La Puma is a very nice professor and he wants everyone to pass. He is dedicated to the class and answers any and all questions without frustration. He can be a little disorganized and people walk all over him which can make for a class that is distracting for other students. But he sincerely wants students do well and he makes it impossible to fail

He's a good professor with good intentions. Like what everyone else says he sincerely wants everyone to learn and pass the class. He's awkwardly funny and tries to explain the best he can but some students still don't understand. I still learned a lot. I'd definitely take him again.

His aloofness is distracting at times, but he is pretty clear in class and works to make sure you succeed. Never uses the book in class, just get the online code.

He is awesome! I took both his Trig and Precalculus classes. He is really helpful! You really don't need to purchase a book (assuming you don't miss class). Take his practice tests and you will absolutely ace the class!

Very helpful and thorough. If someone asks a question, he will not move on until his answer is understood. He is great at explaining concepts in different ways (visually, algebraically, etc,) He is passionate about math, and if you are too, you will get a whole lot out of his class. Also, his tests and quizzes are reasonably written and graded.

Awesome professor, may be nervous sometimes but he is honestly the nicest guy. I just finished his class this semester and I would definitely take another class with him. Never even needed the text book, just buy the homework code for my math lab! Cheers! - Timmy Nguyen

Very sweet and helpful guy.

Pros: very nice, helpful and fair. His jokes are hilarious. All notes posted on his site. Super cool. Cons: some lesson plans seem like he's "wingin it", but I didn't have a problem with it; some might. Also, kinda slow to grade. I didn't have a problem with it; some might. Only buy stand alone mymathlab access code. Overall: awesome teacher!

He is VERY kind and helpful! Tests can be pretty tricky at times but he is also a very gentle grader! Most of his tests cover several chapters and a lot of material, so this is not the class to cram. Don't leave hw last minute. He is not the best with time management and yes at times he was a bit all over the place, but I am still glad I took him!

Grow familiar with his lectureexample problems because his tests are almost identical to them. I found the ones who struggle are those leaving early during the break thus missing out on 1hr3hrs of lecture, or don't show up to class much. Makes perfect sense since his test is almost identical lecture. He gets boring so ppl like to leave early.

Hes an awkward,smart guy which shows during the 1st weeks. I mistook his awkwardness and nervousness as being a bad professor. Doesn't seem to handle pressure well and says he gets little sleep(he seems insomniac) Thought I had to work extra hard this semester, but he turned out to be a really good teacher just gets boring due going way to indepth

Super Legit Professor! Great class! Extremely easy! Take him for Professor responsibility if you can as well. I really enjoyed learning from his lectures. He made it worth it! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Clearly instructor about online HW assignment, take home quiz (drop 2 lowest quiz), 3 major test (drop 1 lowest test), and 1 final test. Make sure that done all online HW to do well on the test.

easy professor if you can teach yourself the material.

He is a good professor, the tests are really hard if you don't study, helps a lot.

He assigns a lot of home work, but it is helpful for your quizzes and exams. There is no drop for the exams, but the lowest will be counted 6% towards your grade. You might need to teach yourself, but most of the college professors do not teach deeply I guess.. The exams are pretty much based on the quizzes, and he also tells you what they cover.

Professor La Puma is a very nice person! His lectures could be a bit dull and boring, and you may have to teach yourself the material. But a very easy grader and gives out a lot of take home quizzes. Exams are straight forward and easy if you study quiz problems. Also, he is very slow with grading so be patient..

This man is by far the most boring professor I have ever met. So dull and makes you go to sleep. He's a nice guy but not the best at explaining stuff. You'll pass if you study but be prepared for nap time in his class

He is a nice professor who will work with you if there are issues with the material or if you are having personal issues, which to me goes a long way. Very nice guy, but you can tell he is not used to teaching online.

He's a really funny, charismatic dude.

La Pummee is such a w teacher ngl. Brodie walked in on the first day of school blasting youngboy and rapping along to the lyrics. His favorite catchfrase is "I'll be back in a flash!''. he loves his students and isnt terrified by us at all! I love seeing his 2004 honda civic in the parking lot when I walk to class in the morning. Overall W teacher

Professor Lapuma is not perfect, but he is good. A lot of the enjoyment from his class comes from how much you can tell he admires math. I never had an issue with the time he took to respond to emails, and I liked that his textbook was free. His lectures can be unorganized at times, but as long as you are paying attention, you should be fine.

He is a good professor and really loves what he teaches. There were times where it was difficult for me to understand but if you do the homework assignments from the textbook you'll do fine, tutoring also helps. He allows one side of a page for a cheat sheet so that also helped a lot!