Kim Castagna - West Hills Community College

Professor: Kim Castagna

Department: Mathematics

College: West Hills Community College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MATH15PRECALC
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Mr. Castagna is a tough cookie. He takes joy in the first couple days of class in intimidating people who might not be in the correct level of math. His class was very hard work, but he is true to his word. There are no surprises in his class and you know where you stand always. If you show initiative, he will be very willing to help.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MATH64
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

The professor allows at least 3 weeks to complete roughly 6 homework assignments (10-15 questions each sections). A large portion of the grade comes from the chapter test (every other week taken with a proctor). This is my second online math class and I would not recommend taking his online class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PRECALC
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took Pre-calc in class and i began disliking math. His teaching style is confusing and he just pays attention to one side of the class completely ignoring the other side

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MATH64
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I think he's a great teacher. He tells you up front what the expectations are and he sticks to what he says. Maybe not flexible, but you know where you stand. If you have a problem, ask, or go to his office. I love math, after being turned off to it by a poor high school teacher, Mr. Castagna made it fun again. He is reserved, private, not chatty.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MATH15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Definitely knows his material. If you are unsure about your math skills this may not be the instructor for you but if you're like me Mr. Castagna is the best instructor hands down. Gets to the point doesn't spend half the class with stories and nonsense and you'll learn something if you pay attention. I am sad that I will not be able to take his Math 1A or 1B class because he switches every semester with Dr. Ganter but I left his class with lots of knowledge.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MATH1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Calculus can be a difficult subject, and Castagna has had a lot of mixed reviews. However, I found him extremely helpful. If you pay attention, ask questions during lecture, and really try in the course you should have no problems. He was also very helpful during office hours, helped with any questions I was absolutely stuck on with the homework.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MATH64
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This was the hardest class ever! I had to drop because I am not a Math person. DO NOT take this class online if you are not good at Math! I also hired a tutor and had to drop, the teacher does not communicate or help in any way. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MATH64
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

DO NOT take this class online if you are not a math person. The teacher gives no instruction & you are on your own completely! I had to drop the class bcuz even with a tutor I was lost. The teacher is not helpful whatsoever. STAY AWAY!!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CALC1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very helpful if you go to his office hours. Tests come from hw so just study hw problems and you will pass his tests. Also, he gives extra credit, by the end of the semester I had 98 extra credit points, almost an entire test. If you have an A in the class you do not have to take the final.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MATH15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Not a great teacher in my opinion, he doesn't really teach. Uses problem from the math book and just does it on the white board without really explaining steps or how to do it. Homeworks he assigns odd problems but you must do EVERY single problem or he won't give you credit. If you miss a day you're practically lost in his class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MATH1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a "meh" kind of teacher. He tries to explain the lesson that he's teaching, but he doesn't really try to explain it in a type of clarity that everyone can understand. Math-abled students can understand him, but with the not-so-good in Math ones, good luck. You are gonna need some tutoring.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MATH64
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Online course = Bad idea/not recommended from him. No instruction at all-Completely on your own. Unpersonable-actually though he was a she the whole semester till' we had to go in for the final. Never introduced himself begining of semester, just business, won't waiver, or help if you are falling behind. No makeup work or ex credit. ON YOUR OWN!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MATH64
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is an awesome teacher. I always struggled with math prior to his class but with his class I understood everything. He is extremely helpful and very intelligent.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MATH15
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The first time I took the class, many people in the class had already had calculus and he taught to their level. The second time the majority of the class was more on level and the teaching was much better for me. He's also very helpful during office hours and unlike many instructors here, if he says he's going to be in his office, he is.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MATH63
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great instructor. Willing to help if your willing to ask and work. Kind of a smart ass, but very fair overall.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MATH63
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Does not cut any slack. You either do your homework or you don't. He doesn't give any in between grades. You do your homework? Don't leave any problems blank or else he will not count it at all.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MATH61
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

So I graduated from highschool at 15 when I took the cal. high school perficancy test, since i didn't finish all of my classes I did have to catch up in math, he was a terrible teacher! and bsicaly taught the class like you should already know how to do it, it annoyed me because I was there b/c i didn't know how to do it!!! DUH or i would be in a different class right?!?

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PRECAL
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

maaaaaaan. whoever said he's EASY..you are WRONG!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PRECALCULUS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Extremely well organized. Makes good use of class time. Excellent for students who want to learn. Bad for students who want to goof off. Wish I could take all my math classes from him. Best Math teacher ever.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MATH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

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