This was previously published in our December 2025 issue.
A student is presented with a deck of cards and picks one from the pile, watching the teacher shuffle the cards and throw them against the wall, and him moving the sliding board to see the card they picked on the whiteboard. This isn’t a normal occurrence in a math class, but in Chris Ritter’s geometry class, magic is something students experience.
Known for teaching Geometry Honors, Ritter strives to create a welcoming atmosphere for learning after working at Emmaus High School for 24 years. Aside from math, Ritter also enjoys adding a touch of magic to his teaching.
“I always enjoyed watching magic as a kid. I was always amazed by some of the [tricks]. But the way my brain works, I’m always trying to figure out how things worked,” Ritter said. “The trick I did with your class [2B Geometry Honors] is really just a math trick. You just may not realize that it’s all about the showmanship that throws people off.”
These magic tricks have helped engage his students and are often a core memory from his class, one of these kids being junior Nicholas Compano.
“There was one time we were in class working…he asked us to pick a card from his hand. Then, he threw the whole deck of cards up in the air and had us pick them up,” Compano said. “When we couldn’t find the card, he told us to look up. It was lodged in the ceiling tiles…and it just blew me away.”
Ritter uses magic as a brainbreak for the students, and by doing so, he leaves them wondering how he did it. Ritter has found inspiration for teaching through his 6th-grade teacher and uses his experience as a student to help better explain math to students who are struggling.
“There was a time when I struggled in high school with certain concepts. I try to remember that even though it might be easy for me right now because I’ve done it for so many years, this is the first time a lot of students are seeing it,” Ritter said.
Teaching a class that has concepts that are usually unfamiliar to students can be tricky, but Ritter makes sure his students have access to help as much as possible.
Georgia Hoffman, a junior at EHS and illustrator for The Stinger, experienced challenges in Geometry Honors and felt supported whenever she asked Ritter for help.
“It was really difficult, especially because it [geometry] was all new concepts that I had never heard of before. He would provide not just written materials, but also practice packets and efficient homework,” Hoffman said. “He would also supply valuable information and personal experience from teaching to give us strategies on how to pass.”
Using a bit of magic, Ritter engages his classes with the slight of hand. Caring about their entertainment and skill development, Ritter is always making sure that his students have the support and resources they need to be successful. Beyond the magic, his students admire his dedication.
Avery Berger, a junior at EHS, has recognized his willingness to take the extra step to help anyone struggling.
“I think that he really wants his students to be successful because he would always offer that you could come to any Hornet Homeroom or any block that you have free,” Berger said. “He’s really passionate about his job. He really enjoys working with students, which is pretty clear because he was always willing to help me.”
