Faculty of the Week: Shaocheng Ma
Grace Yang / The Exonian
By DHRUV BHAGAYATH, KAYLEE GONG, ANGELA HE, and JADE YOO
The faint scratch of pencils on paper fills an Academy Building classroom as students hunch over a particularly challenging math problem. At the head of the Harkness table, Instructor in Mathematics Dr. Shaocheng Ma sits quietly, hands folded, observing with a slight smile. He waits not to deliver the answer, but to guide the discussion forward when the time is right.
S. Ma’s journey to arriving at his Exeter classroom was far from ordinary. From growing up in China and attending a British boarding school to pursuing degrees in engineering and human implant design in England, Dr. Ma has overcome countless obstacles to arrive at the Academy and grow into the beloved faculty member we know today. Despite his reputation for high standards and challenging classes, S. Ma has become a student favorite due to the commitment he shows in teaching critical thinking through math.
Prior to his arrival at Phillips Exeter Academy, S. Ma pursued his studies in engineering and human implant design at Imperial College London. Ma pondered on his decision to teach at Exeter despite his primarily British academic history. “My wife and I both went to boarding schools in England, so boarding school is part of our DNA. When I decided to work as an educator, I thought boarding schools were a great fit for me and my family. PEA is one of the top schools in the country, so I applied, and here I am.”
S. Ma went on to detail the differences he experienced after moving to the US, explaining that “[In England] students make the decision about what they want to do in the future at an early age. But in America, from what I’ve seen from students at Exeter, they are more well-rounded. Many students sitting in my classroom are able to diligently solve math problems while writing beautiful essays.” He further praised Exonians for the diverse array of athletics and arts in which they participate. “After school, I see them running on the field, playing in a soccer or football game, performing and playing musical instruments.”
Despite S. Ma’s genuine and supportive personality, Exonians across campus often hear whispers of his tough grading before having even stepped foot in his classroom. However, they quickly come to discover that S. Ma’s methods may be difficult but are designed to push students and help them grow. “Everyone always talks about how Dr. Ma is a tough teacher with challenging tests that make you think. While that’s very true, it is true in the best way possible,” said lower Melody Ma, one of his students.
Lower Allen Klingel added to this insight, “We generally go through homework questions quickly, after that Dr. Ma would give us practice problems that stimulate test problems that I think are very helpful to me to grasp the concept deeper.”
Lower Artur Ferreira echoed that sentiment, saying, “When we go to class, he goes to each problem and he goes up to the board, explains the problem if we have questions. And he’ll also show his homework because he does all the problems over the summer. He has details, like a page worth of work for each problem. And then also, if we finish problems early, he’ll give us practice problems so that we can learn more.”
Lower Angelina Wang affirmed that description. “Not only are his lessons easy to understand and straightforward, but Dr. Ma goes above and beyond to make sure his class knows the material. Sometimes, when there’s a really difficult problem, he’ll send us video explanations of the problems, and he’s very nice. I remember a time in spring term when he brought donuts for Saturday class since he appreciated us coming despite it being the weekend. He’s also the fastest responder and grader I know. Once, I went back to the classroom after forgetting something during the test, and by the time I was back at 12:45 p.m., my test was graded.”
Commenting on that method of teaching, S. Ma reflected: “I don’t think my standard changed a lot through the years of teaching, but what I did is I decided to offer more help,” he explained. “I send the test topics in advance, run evening review sessions, and meet with students in the dorm to make sure they feel supported.”
Chair of The Mathematics Department Panama Geer, reflected on the growth she has seen in him. Geer emphasized the fact he arrived relatively recently and the strong contributions he has already made. “Dr. Ma has many wonderful traits, but one of my favorites is when he comes by to tell me how a particular student or group of students is improving. Clearly, it warms his heart to see that he is making a difference for students. It is a great reminder of why we do what we do.”
This mix of high expectations and genuine support really resonates with his students. “Dr. Ma is a great teacher because he is very clear about the topics we learn and is always willing to help us when we are lost,” said lower Sophia Xue.
M. Ma added, “While math is the foundation of Dr. Ma’s work, he also focuses on getting to know his students and supporting them individually. “I love how passionate he is about the subject,” M. Ma shared. “As a person, he will always ask us about our weekends and start a conversation if you finish a problem early. His classroom is welcoming.”
Lower Alyssa Wang stated, “I appreciate his planning skills and thorough solutions for each problem. He is also very open to helping his students and reexplaining what we don’t understand.”
Lower David Liu, S. Ma’s advisee and student, shared, “Dr. Ma always has his door opened for me to ask for his help.”
Lower Joshua Mullen shared a similar sentiment when describing his personal encounters with the instructor. “He’s very supportive and always listens to me. He’s almost like a parent figure.”
S. Ma also values the thoughtful discussions and collaboration that the Harkness method creates. “The beauty of the Harkness table is when students show me methods I have never thought about for solving problems,” he said. “Those are great moments.”
S. Ma’s goal for his students extends beyond the classroom. “My biggest hope is that they leave my class understanding the importance of critical thinking,” he said. “It’s not just about solving math problems but training to solve real-life problems rigorously and logically.”
His philosophy is evident in how he turns setbacks into chances to grow. M. Ma shared a particularly memorable example. “After our second test, Dr. Ma took 20 minutes to lecture us about how it’s okay to fail and grow from it. He shared his own stories about almost failing a class in college. It was hilarious, and he turned what could have been a gloomy day into something inspiring.”
Senior Jacquelyn Addo echoed that example: “I like the fact that he brings humor to classes and creates a respectful class environment.”
For S. Ma, teaching is not about chasing perfection but about the process of growth. He takes pride in seeing his students’ eyes light up when they finally understand a concept that seemed impassable days before. It is in these moments of breakthrough that his work finds its purpose.
Geer applauded S. Ma’s prioritization of a student’s well-being and learning. “It has been a real privilege to work with Dr. Ma right from the start. He is an excellent teacher who works very hard and strives to give his students the best experience possible every day. Whenever we have discussed a student who he has a concern about, it is evident that he puts the wellbeing and best interest of the student first. He has high standards for his students, and he is able to help them rise to those standards with not only excellent teaching but also encouragement, kindness, and compassion.”
S. Ma exists on campus as a figure beyond a good teacher but also as a warm presence and faculty member to many. Instructor in Mathematics Stephanie Girard added, “Dr. Ma is a thoughtful educator and colleague, who I look forward to working with for many years to come. He cares so much about his students, helping them develop a deeper understanding of the mathematics they are studying. Dr. Ma is also a thoughtful person, in general. He checks in with me often, asking about my family and sharing snippets of his family’s adventures and day-to-day activities. He is genuine, warm, and easy to be around.”
As S. Ma’s students walk away from his classroom, they carry more than formulas and equations: they carry resilience, sharp critical thinking, and an understanding that failure is just a step toward success. His impact goes far beyond Exeter’s campus, materializing in his student’s world outlook.
Wang, for one, explained, “Dr. Ma actually led me to like Exeter math. My prep fall experience destroyed my ego, and to be honest, I spent most of my winter sitting in math and waiting for time to pass. After having Dr. Ma, though, math became more interesting, and it might be my favorite subject.” Dr. Ma’s dedication to his teachings and overall kind character have shown through the extensive impact he has on students and their perception of math.
As M. Ma put it, “Dr. Ma doesn’t just teach math. He teaches us how to think, how to grow, and how to believe in ourselves.”
