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Hi! I'm Ms. Savaria (Miz Sa-vAIR-ia). Please use the drop-down menu to view my current classes. In my past 7 years at Pathfinder I have also taught Intermediate Algebra, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and Personal Finance. I graduated from Belchertown High School and received my Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics from Western Governors University.
"Why math ?"
I prefer to use the term problem solving. I look at a math problem like a jigsaw puzzle: you know there’s a right way to do it, you just have to figure out how to align the pieces correctly. There is comfort in knowing that, though you may struggle, every problem has a solution. The Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks outlines this focus on problem-solving in their Standards for Mathematical Practice. All students are expected to:
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Model with mathematics.
Use appropriate tools strategically.
Attend to precision.
Look for and make use of structure.
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
In every math class at Pathfinder Tech, students work toward mastery of their fundamental math skills, with an emphasis on the Standards for Mathematical Practice. This empowers students to transfer their mathematical skills to the practical, real-world problems encountered in their technical programs.
"But I hate math!"
No worries! I understand that many students have had negative experiences with math with the past. I only ask that they come to class each day with their materials, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn from their mistakes. I’ll take care of the rest!
More about me...
I enjoy many outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, and reading in my hammock. I have a sister, Lauren, and a brother, Christian, both of whom graduated from Pathfinder! While we grew up in Belchertown, we all finished high school through the School of Choice program while living in Springfield. My dad Steven is a civil engineer and drummer, playing in mostly jazz and blues bands. I have two cats, a HUGE Maine Coon named Binx and a new kitten named Butters. I also love music and going to live shows .
How can families support students with their math work (especially if they never liked math much themselves)?
The best thing you can do for your student is to shift the focus of your discussions from grades to work ethic. The "I hate math" or "I'm just not a math person" mentality is a very hard barrier to break down for students; they often feel they have permission to give up when they don't immediately understand a concept because math isn't their "thing." Help them to see that perseverance and problem-solving are universal skills!
If your student is struggling, try saying "I had to work really hard in math, too!" Then shift the focus to actions that are within the student's control:
What are the directions asking you to do? Did you ask the teacher to clarify the directions?
What are the expectations for this assignment? (Much of our practice in math asks students to give their best effort on each question, but does not penalize wrong answers.)
What resources are immediately available (guided notes, printed examples, videos)?
Have you sought out extra help (from the teacher or peer tutoring)? How do you ask for help (email, sign-up form)?
Can you explain this step/problem to me (from either a teacher example or student work)?
Strong basic math skills are also essential to success in all math classes. If your student is lacking skills like multiplication facts, it can be incredibly frustrating to do all the algebraic steps of a problem correctly and still get the wrong answer. Free smartphone flashcard apps allow you to integrate basic skill practice into a daily walk around the block, a car ride, or an appointment waiting room. Need recommendations? Just ask!
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