Meet the Teacher

I love math. Can I just put that out there? I love to play with it, and I love to teach it. My favorite teaching moment is watching that light bulb go off in a student's head when they get it. That aha moment when everything starts to make a little more sense. I love to take that aha moment and run with it, stretch it and see how far we can take it. We do lots of group work and activities designed to encourage students to talk about math. What do they notice? What do they wonder? At first, some feel a little uncomfortable sharing their thinking, but as we grow as a group, most find their voices and join me in talking about math. In my room, everyone is heard, everyone has a voice and everyone has a choice.

This year looks a little different, but we are still collaborating, sharing our thinking and talking all things math. We just do it masked and six feet apart. Some of us are physically in the classroom, others are online half the time and still others are online all the time. We are working hard to keep this classroom inclusive and student-oriented. To make sure this happens, we are using a lot of technology. All classes are live-streamed via Google Meet. Assignments are posted in Classroom. Activities are redesigned to allow all students to participate virtually. And so far, it is working. I conduct weekly check-ins asking my students how they are doing and what they need from me. Students work in pairs, small groups or as a class to complete assignments like virtual scavenger hunts, breakout rooms and other digital activities. Students show their work using online whiteboards and I can watch them working and help in real-time. Desmos activities also let me see what students are thinking, share those thoughts with the class and then discuss them. It's been very exciting!

We are continuing to build our Interactive Notebooks. Each student creates a physical notebook filled with brightly colored, interactive notes that open, close and can be otherwise manipulated. These notebooks are a great way to teach my students how to problem-solve and find needed information. Students may use their notebooks on any assessment or project (except for the NYS Algebra Regents Exam), giving them ownership of their learning and making them responsible for their work.

On a more personal note, I have been teaching for 27 years and each year I think I enjoy it a little bit more. I am certified in Elementary Education K-6, Special Education PreK-12 and Mathematics 7-12. I have a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and another in Educational Technology. I also hold two graduate certificates, one in Online Teaching K-12 and the other as a Technology Integration Specialist. So as you can see, this year, with all its dependence on technology, is right up my alley. I love searching the internet and talking to all my math friends on Twitter, looking for new ways to help my students make connections in math. I am mom to two amazing young women who are both out in the world happily living their best lives. I enjoy seeing the world every chance I get and often travel with my oldest daughter. I have two fuzzy little poodle mixes (oodles of poodles!) that love to snuggle while I'm on my laptop, and I am currently anxiously waiting for the scores to drop in December to see if I achieved my National Boards. (I did! I am now a bona fide National Board Certified Teacher!!!)