Olympia LePoint - Mathaphobia: How You Can Overcome Your Math Fears and Become a Rocket Scientist

Acknowledgments

I thank my mother, Pamela LePoint, who stands by my side during my trials, and success. I am honored to be her daughter. I'd also like to thank my family members.

True friends are the ones by your side when the limelight is off. I'd like to thank the following people: Cristine Carrier and Bodo Schmidt, Ed and Laurie Carmack, Adam Nunn, Brooke and Tom Turpin, Jeanine Powell, Diana and William Zelnis, LaToya Brown, Aileen Duenez, Tyrone Fox, Marie and Laurie Lundin, and Justin Phillips. I've been fortunate to have met a number of great mentors, thank you especially to the following: Bonnie Collins, Paul Richey, Ben and Cindy Tenn, Nick Johns, Phil Monroe, and Shellie Hadvina. I am privileged to have great pastors in my life, as well as the following university professors: Dr. William Watkins, Vice President of CSUN, along with Dr. Mark Schilling, Dr. Frankline Augustin, Dr. Michael Neubauer, Dr. Werner Horn, and the late Mrs. Jane Pinkerton.

I would also like to thank my Rotaran friends: Don Robinson, Maureen Tepedino, Gerry and Kathy Turner, LJ Rivera III, Jim Hoyt, Carol and Bob Donahue, Denecia Jones, Beatriz Phipps, and Penny von Kalinowski. And I thank my Mathaphobia Educator Staff: Michael Carlson, Roger Richardson, Shea and Courtney Smith, Melanie M. Aunchman and Silva Feroian.

There are several co-workers who've helped me, including; Dr. Zhaofeng Huang, Dr. Dale Deardorff, Steve Hobart, Sandra J. Washington, Dennis Early, Bob Martinez, Carl Main, as well as my special astronaut friend, Robert Curbeam (retired U.S. Astronaut). I also thank Ellen Faitelson and Dirk Zir-bel's family, Ana Bonilla, and Chryssi and John Trachsel, Kael Beverly, and Terresa Burgess.

Each of them re-encourages me to overcome situations when Life throws every unimaginable challenge. I am thankful to have built relationships with these honorable men and women.

And, most of all, I am grateful for one moment in time related to this book. One night, I went to sleep asking the universe for a way to complete this masterpiece: given my situation. When I awoke, I received clear direction to call my Freshman English Professor, Johnie Scott. Perplexed, I followed this instruction. After calling him, I was floored to discover that his daughter was a seasoned book and magazine editor, who would later be the editor of this book. As a result, I thank God for introducing me to Angela "Penny" Scott, who helped bring my stories to life!

About the Author

Olympia LePoint is best known for her role as an award-winning rocket scientist, a science entertainer, and university educator, striving to help people to overcome math fear. Mathaphobia: How You Can Overcome Your Math Fears and Become a Rocket Scientist, is her debut self-help educational manual, designed to empower adults and students to ace math without doing more math problems! As an internationally-recognized leader within the Math and Sciences field, LePoint helped launched NASA's Endeavour, Discovery, Columbia, and Atlantis Space Shuttles. She won the 2004 Boeing Company Professional Excellence Award, and The 2003 National Black Engineer of the Year "Modern Day Technology Leader" Award.

LePoint has appeared in countless magazines and news publications, including recognition in 2010 as "The New Face for Math Literacy" for her Mathaphobia explanation on Oprah.com . She also appeared on NBC News, Dr. Drew's Life Changers TV Show in 2012, as well as The Bret Lewis News Hour, The Halogen Network, and on Christians OnDemand Episode(s). LePoint uses psychology in conjunction with math's creative-thinking to help individuals "Beat the Odds." This dynamic speaker is regularly featured as a guest Math and Science expert on TV and Radio.

She holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mathematics and a Masters Degree in Applied Mathematics from California State University at North-ridge. As a CEO, keynote speaker and college educator, LePoint has channeled her passion into helping millions overcome fear and succeed in the Math and Science fields. She formed the national education program, Olympia's End Mathaphobia Now, a system designed to end math illiteracy in America. Currently, LePoint serves as a Math and Science educational expert for TV, Radio, news publications, and other Social Media outlets.

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