Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XII, Issue I - Spring 2018 | Page 19

JASON WETHERINGTON:
FACULTY
PROFILE
S E E I N G TH E B E A UT Y A N D P O W E R O F M ATH
Jason Wetherington, wife Stephanie, and their three
biological and six adopted children.
F
or too many, math class, or even mere mention of the
word, stirs anxiety and visions of jumbled numbers and x’s,
y’s and z’s—problems unsolved. However, for others, like
PHSC Mathematics Professor Jason Wetherington, math means
passion, beauty and power.
Wetherington has a history with PHSC. He took classes at the
College as a dual enrollment student while attending Hernando
High School, in Brooksville, where he graduated in 1994. He
received his Associate in Arts degree from PHSC one year later.
Wetherington transferred to the University of South Florida (USF)
to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering; however, he soon
transitioned to mathematics. When considering whether to
become a mathematician or an engineer, Wetherington explains
that those who ask how will I use it, should become an engineer;
and those with the desire to improve it, or say show me why, are a
natural for mathematics. “I say, show me why,” said Wetherington.
Armed with a bachelor’s in mathematics from USF and a master’s
in mathematics. Wetherington is currently working on his
dissertation on higher education administration for his Ph.D.
Wetherington began his teaching career at Springstead High
School, in Spring Hill, then at Central High School, in Brooksville.
Three years later, he became an adjunct instructor at PHSC North
Campus, prior to his full-time post at the College.
Wetherington has taught all levels of mathematics, but it is the
upper-level math, starting with Calculus 1, where he finds his
passion resides. Algebra focuses on the language of the math;
there are more rules in algebra, he explains. “It’s when you see
the formulas used in application that math starts to make sense.
Algebra is essential for moving on in college, but it is in courses
like calculus, where the beauty and power of math can truly be
seen,” said Wetherington. Also, he explains, grasping the concepts
of higher math can pave the way to many high-demand careers in
the STEM field, he explains.
Wetherington teaches two online courses and four traditional
classes. “I have grown to appreciate the usefulness of online
teaching. Students who may otherwise not have access
to education, now find it through online instruction,”
said Wetherington.
Wetherington is not only dedicated to his profession, but also to
the College and its mission to serve the community with quality,
accessible higher education. “I love teaching at PHSC. We are all
about community. Our residents look to us to help them get where
they want to go in life,” said Wetherington.
Wetherington Outside of Math
There is more to PHSC Math Professor Jason Wetherington
than passion for numbers, patterns and infinite theories. Early in
his teaching career, he was a competitive powerlifter, who set a
Florida state record in 2006, benching 505 lbs. After suffering an
elbow injury, he turned to running as a sport, which evolved into a
great passion. “My first race was a PHSC 5K. I’ve been running for
11 years,” said Wetherington.
While teaching and running are important, his major focus remains
on his family. Wetherington and his wife of 18 years, Stephanie,
treasure their children, and will forever mourn the loss of their third
child, Isaac. Born with a heart defect, Isaac lived most of his brief
life at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa before transferring
to world renowned Boston Children’s Hospital. “Stephanie took
our older children, Koah and Abigail, with her to Boston while I
stayed at PHSC to teach,” said Wetherington.
Tragically, Isaac died at 18 months old. “Reflecting back at
that time of our lives,” Wetherington said, “I feel like I lived in
another dimension.”
Stephanie, who became a health advocate while caring for her
youngest son, was compelled to adopt special needs children
soon after Isaac’s death, explains Wetherington. Quoted in a
Tampa Bay Times article, Stephanie stated, “When he (Isaac)
passed away, we knew there were other children out there with
special needs like him, but they had no one to fight for them.”
Since 2012, the couple adopted six children—one with cerebral
palsy, two with heart defects and three with Down syndrome.
“Two children came to us from Ukraine and the other four are
from China,” said Wetherington. Additionally, in 2015, the couple
had another biological child, son, Wilder. Now, a family of 11,
Wetherington and his wife find inspiration in the odds their children
beat every day.
SPRING 2018
19