Math Solves (and then sum)

A third year mathematics teacher born, raised and working in Queens, NY. Trying to collect her thoughts and impart some good on the world of 20-somethings who may or may not like math (or being adults).

[mathapprentice-blog]

There might not be anything more frustrating than going to the NYC passport agency with the only silver lining being the trip at hand. After a 4:30am rise, 5:30am arrival at Hudson street, and finally a 2pm departure with my brothers passport in hand, we stumbled upon this gem. I personally think there should be a Tumblr devoted solely to NYC sidewalk chalkboard signs and this one is no exception. I’ve recently arrived at the crossroads where teaching and alcohol might be synonymous? No, maybe not. However maybe it is for many other teachers. In any case, laugh at the incorrect grammar if nothing else.  

[mathapprentice-blog]

Here’s to reminiscing about the group of students that changed my world. At the beginning of the school year I was frustrated because they refused to engage in conversation with one another. By November I couldn’t get them to stop talking and by February they were leading the class and teaching my lessons (with their own spin). Each of them had a brilliant personality and were more than willing to let it shine. They were more than happy to struggle with me and help me grow as I helped them grow. This was my first year teaching high school and I think I’m addicted. Here’s to the 2014-2015 EWSIS Freshmen. May the odds be ever in your favor. 

[mathapprentice-blog]

Summer Summer Summer Time

I was inspired by sergtpeppa to reflect on how I’m spending my summer. Then I was even more inspired by Jose Vilson’s post about how “summer’s off” aren’t all they seem. So I’m chronicling my summer, what I’ve been doing and what I will be doing.

Last day of school: finish classroom cleanup and lock up, head to Long Beach for staff BBQ, toes in the sand, head in the clouds

Week 1: Start i2 Camp at the Marymount Campus, teach “How Computers Think” to Senior campers (all 4 of them), nervous but a good time, 4th of July weekend is for sleeping in and errands

Week 2: i2 Camp continues, teach “How Computers Think” to 18 Junior campers, very different and fulfilling experience, work with an awesome teacher from George Jackson Academy

Week 3: i2 Camp continues, teach “SpyCraft” to 17 Junior campers, mostly chaos and classroom management, very messy and cleanup heavy, campers enjoy the hands on activities

Week 3: Last week at i2 Camp, teach “SpyCraft” to 16 Senior campers, deal with teenage behavior issues and the like, less messy, we attacked this smarter for sure, leave Wednesday after lunch because...

Week 3.5: Take Amtrak to Philadelphia, PA for the KSTF 2015 Summer Meeting in Center City, spend 3 glorious days attending PD, moderating a panel discussion on “This Is Not A Test”, spending time with some of my favorite people, discussing norms, exploring Philly, collaborating with STEM teachers non-stop

Week 4: Blissful relaxation and errands. Clean my space, transition to new school year, go for multiple runs

Week 5 & 6: Attend a wedding overseas, explore a different country, classic r&r with good food and drinks, try not to gain too much weight

Week 7: Week off to see friends, explore the city, catchup on personal goals, go for multiple runs (again) 

Week 8: CPM PD on new HS textbooks that are Common Core aligned and collaborative practices for teaching students mathematics in Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2/Trig

Week 9: a2i PD on math practices in Algebra 1, meet with student teacher (resident) and plan first unit including lesson plans and first day of school procedures

Week 10: Back to school! One final hurrah for Labor Day and then PD day to get ready for students who arrive that Wednesday. The first week is always a whirlwind and it’ll be good to get back in the groove 

My summer is pretty sporadic but it feels good to be taking care of me and taking care of my future classroom at the same time. 

[mathapprentice-blog]

This is proof that teachers need the summer. Though I did a terrible job at keeping up with my second year via this blog, this is a good place to start. We all look so happy!!! I have photos to share from 2014-2015 and a few pieces of good news. For now I'm reminiscing back to last Friday. Having a coworker with a permanent residence in Long Beach literally a 10 step walk to the beach is an amazing perk. There's no better way to end another year of one of the most demanding professions than with drinks, friends and a selfie stick.

[mathapprentice-blog]

The First Month

I told myself that blogging everyday would be a reality, but to be honest even as a second year teacher I find myself coming home more and more exhausted. This is one shot I was able to take last week when I gave my students a partner quiz. I like throwing a timer up on the board so they can self monitor and regulate themselves. The results were better than I had expected. Not only did every student work collaboratively, but they were able to put up some great work and really show their reasoning. 

As you can see in the picture, I got a new whiteboard! It's much better than the paper panels we've been using over the chalkboard, but it hasn't been fully installed. Fingers crossed that the duct tape holds. I also have two classroom clocks, neither of which is correct, but I guess everything can't be in working order. 

Disclaimer: My students usually sit in groups of four. For the purpose of the partner quiz, they were sitting in couples rows. 

Next week is my KSTF Fall PD. Hopefully more posts to follow. First month was good getting into the groove of school. The sixth graders are slowly getting used to the expectations of being middle school students, while the ninth graders are becoming increasingly friendly and talkative. Here's to year two!

[mathapprentice-blog]

I had such an amazing time at KSTF 2014 Summer Meeting. It was like being a freshman in the best college program ever. I was so inspired the entire time that I've already started thinking about how I want to start my school year. Last year's theme was #survival. This year it's all about #consistency and #technology. 

I experienced my first day of PD for TiNspire today. Not exactly life changing, but I'm hoping the remaining three will pick up the pace. I'm currently looking for good conferences to attend since I have cash support to go thanks to my fellowship. Any suggestions I'm more than willing to look into!

[donth8justsk8]

Math is never used? Tell that to the engineers who make machines. Tell that to the architect who designed the shelter you’re under. Tell that to the math professor who’s teaching you this stuff. Tell that to the chefs who need to measure ingredients to make your food. Tell that to the ...

[mathapprentice-blog]

Discussing "where's the math" in popular culture makes me see this as applicable.

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Summer B(iking)

Today was my third consecutive gym visit and I managed to do 8 miles on the bike in 30 minutes! I know it seems silly but I tried to convince myself to go all during the school year and only made it two yoga classes. I'm fighting the urge to reward myself because new gym clothes end up killing my drive weirdly enough. I hope I can keep this up along with my teatox. It's a little harder to stick with the 3 cups a day because the summer heat doesn't exactly make me crave a hot beverage. I also started my Summer Session B at TC. Not loving the idea of being in formal classes during the summer. In my head, 3 weeks of class was going to be easy peasy. Now that I'm in them, there is nothing but dread. I also made the decision that if I pursue a higher degree, it won't be in Math Ed. I need to do something different desperately. Two degrees in the same area is more than enough. I just keep telling myself that I'll be done with my Masters by next May with a summer free of academics hopefully. I was originally looking forward to my KSTF summer meeting at the end of July but now there is so much to get through before then. This is the teacher summer, huh.

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Not to toot any horns, but my bio is finally online for my fellowship. The headshot is nice though I wish I'd had a chance to edit it a little :/. In the three months that I've been officially accepted into this fellowship, a whole new world has opened up. I'm forming great relationships, gaining amazing knowledge and recharging for my second year of teaching. If you're a first or second year STEM teacher, going into your student teaching or first year of teaching in the USA, I strongly encourage you to apply. The Selection Weekend experience alone will blow your mind to what collaborative teaching and learning can and should look like. 

[mathapprentice-blog]

My best friend from high school, currently living the fantastic life of a journalist fellow in Panama, came back to NYC for a quick visit. The only way I was going to get to spend time with her was through attending the Kara Walker exhibit, housed at the Domino Sugar Refinery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I knew little of what to expect until I did my preliminary research, and even then the sight of that sphinx made me as uncomfortable and intrigued as only the best articles could describe. Walking into the factory was an experience in itself, as it is set for demolition and in various states of disrepair. Walker left very little literature besides the title post at the entrance of the factory walkway, and the resulting carelessness was a generation of 'gramming going to work indoors. Caucasian and African-american alike were witnessed posing in front of the slave boy statues, or even worse in front of the rear end of the sphinx. We both became indignant (and eventually left) and though it might have been a heavier way of starting my summer vacation, it still makes me think. Racism isn't as openly or heavily discussed amongst the students that I teach, and perhaps that may be due to what I witnessed in Williamsburg last weekend: we are a generation that is seemingly unaware, careless and self-indulgent. I can only imagine what implications this might have on my students but now I'm thinking what can I do to give them a voice and raise their awareness of the injustices they feel, no matter how small.

[mathapprentice-blog]

I did not get to properly chronicle and blog my way through my first year of teaching like I so desperately wanted to. Then I looked through the pictures I asked my students to take with me during their last class and I thought... this is the place to start. My 603 math class was one of my greatest triumphs and biggest struggles. They were so consistently pure of heart that I could not fault them for their passion and occasional childish behavior (after all, they are the youngest students in the school). I can say with confidence not only am I going to miss teaching them, but I plan to use all of the lessons they taught me to improve myself for my upcoming second year. Here's to 603!