Advanced Math Activities

I have taught every core secondary math subject from 8th grade through Calculus. My most beneficial teaching experience to date, was teaching a class of students for three sequential courses. It was an opportunity to observe what skills my students retained each year. But most importantly, I watched each of my students construct their mathematical framework. This gave me great insights into the constructivist learning environment.

My class always begins with a spiral WarmUp to build automaticity with Algebraic manipulations. The last question of the WarmUp is a challenging problem for those students who need it. Each lesson will build upon the skill from this spiral WarmUp. My lessons are targeted to run 15 minutes. The lesson introduces vocabulary and notation. At the end of each lesson I will give an example for each student to try on their own. I reveal the correct answer and students compare their work with their partners. The rest of the class is spent on an activity which is targeted to run 20-45 minutes. I close class with a Cool Down problem which I use as an exit ticket.

2015 Star Teacher Award 2016 Star Teacher Award

University of North Texas BA in Mathematics University of Texas at Arlington MA in Mathematics

When I began teaching in 2006, I taught only Algebra 1. My focus was to build number sense and mathematical reasoning. For the past few years, I have taught three Advanced Mathematics courses each year. PreAP Algebra 2 is my foundation course. From those classes, I am able to identify and recruit students for my Junior and Senior courses. For Juniors, I teach IB Maths HL Year One. For Seniors, I teach AP Calculus BC. Many of my students from PreAP Algebra 2 will join the school's UIL Math Team, which I coach.