I have been a math teacher for 7 years at a school for students with Language Based Learning Differences. I have taught geometry, algebra 2, precalculus, and probability and statics. I have my masters in Special Education from Boston University and my Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Recreation from Gordon College. I am a Massachusetts licensed teacher in Moderate Special Education and Secondary Mathematics.
I believe all students can learn math in the right environment with the right tools. As someone who grew up with a learning difference, I always took note of what good (and bad) teachers did that made learning fun and accessible. Now as a teacher of primarily higher level math, I always start class with a "low level/entry" question that prepares students for the "harder" topic of the day. I teach through questions and guiding students through using tools and strategies they already have to figure out how to approach this "new" problem.
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I am dyslexic and the majority of educational experience I was an outsider because I could not learn in a traditional classroom. However, math class was always a place where I felt like I could succeed because "words didn't matter here". I was fortunate enough to have many fantastic math teachers who really allowed me to stretch and reach my potential. I went from being in "regular level" classes to taking AP Calculus my senior year and scoring a 5 on that exam without accommodations. And I truly believe that is because I had teachers that gave me the tools to succeed. In my undergraduate, I really struggled to find success particularly because I didn't have the skills or strategies to fully understand my learning difference and how to best get the support I needed. But, I did graduate on time and began my teaching career at a small LBLD school down the road. Here is where I really learned what it meant to be dyslexic and gained strategies to support myself with my high perceptional reasoning and low working memory. I graduated from BU with my highest GPA ever and got my Masters Degree. I became the first person in my family to not only have a Bachelor's Degree but also a Masters Degree. Now as a teacher, my goal is to create a classroom where everyone feels welcomed and valued so they can learn math too!
Along with being a math teacher, I also teach an outdoor leadership class and a STEAM lab class. These classes really allow me to feel fulfilled in my career as I'm not stuck in "academics" all day. In addition, I am a houseparent to a dorm of 30 female students at our school, allowing me to build deeper connections and relationships with my students.
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Not Grade Specific
Specialty, Math, Algebra, Calculus, PreCalculus, Trigonometry, Classroom Management, Algebra 2, For All Subjects