About Me
Currently I am in my second year of instructional coach for the Boone Community School District. Prior to this position I taught Calculus and Geometry for seven years at Boone High School. I have been in education for sixteen years. Fortunately, when I attended the University of Iowa for my undergraduate degree in mathematics I was able to earn a K-12 teaching endorsement. Due to my love of mathematics and mathematics education I continued my education to earn a Masters of School Mathematics (MSM) at Iowa State University.
Through my work in the MSM program and working with student teachers as a cooperating teacher, it is very clear to me that there is a disconnect between theory and practice. Implementing lessons that I have developed to have more of a constructivist approach to learning mathematics has allowed me to see how to connect the theory with reality. I want to work with current teachers as well as future mathematics educators to show how the Common Core including the Mathematical Practices can truly be implemented and practiced.
Throughout my teaching experience I have been a part of many collaborative groups that have challenged my teaching and helped develop my pedagogy. I went into education to change the world. I believe I can have a far greater impact by sharing what I do and how I execute best practices in mathematics through modeling empowering my colleagues and encouraging them to do the same.
It concerns me to see how many of my colleagues have a fixed mindset when it comes to mathematics education. Many believe students either are or are not mathematicians. This is often reflective of their own experiences. Wanting to provide an experience for future teachers that not only puts the Mathematical Practices into practice but also encourages a growth mindset is a passion of mine. In order to provoke true mathematics education reform, we must create experiences for our educators that model what we are asking them to do. I plan to continue my own education and hope to provide inservice and pre-service education to mathematics teachers.
Through my work in the MSM program and working with student teachers as a cooperating teacher, it is very clear to me that there is a disconnect between theory and practice. Implementing lessons that I have developed to have more of a constructivist approach to learning mathematics has allowed me to see how to connect the theory with reality. I want to work with current teachers as well as future mathematics educators to show how the Common Core including the Mathematical Practices can truly be implemented and practiced.
Throughout my teaching experience I have been a part of many collaborative groups that have challenged my teaching and helped develop my pedagogy. I went into education to change the world. I believe I can have a far greater impact by sharing what I do and how I execute best practices in mathematics through modeling empowering my colleagues and encouraging them to do the same.
It concerns me to see how many of my colleagues have a fixed mindset when it comes to mathematics education. Many believe students either are or are not mathematicians. This is often reflective of their own experiences. Wanting to provide an experience for future teachers that not only puts the Mathematical Practices into practice but also encourages a growth mindset is a passion of mine. In order to provoke true mathematics education reform, we must create experiences for our educators that model what we are asking them to do. I plan to continue my own education and hope to provide inservice and pre-service education to mathematics teachers.