The majority of my classroom teaching experience involved teaching math and science to 5th and 6th graders at Fairview School in Auburn. In 2003, I earned a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and focused my coursework on how learners learn mathematics. My next position was as a math coach in Auburn. For eight years, I worked with teachers in all of Auburn's elementary schools. I also worked with some teachers at Auburn Middle School during that period. In 2009, I joined the Oxford Hills Staff and worked as a math interventionist for four years. Last year I returned to the classroom as a 7th grade mathematics teacher. My first year at OHMS was an adventure and a great learning experience. I'm excited to begin this school year having a year's experience under my belt.
My experience as a 6-12 math learner was one of memorizing for the test. I did not understand the procedures I was learning and was not made aware of their real-life application. However, since 1993, I have been consistently engaged in coursework/professional development involving research-based mathematics instruction. Mathematics learning has become my passion. I am anxious to be able to apply my learning in a whole group setting again. My goal in working with 7th graders is to build/maintain an enthusiasm about learning mathematics and (I may be dating myself now) to never sound like Charlie Brown's teacher. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrbumvF-Oe4)