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Hello, world!!!!
I was born to a US Navy aviator and a stay-at-home mom, while my father was attending flight school in Pensacola, FL. -
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Timeline
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Began kindergarten at Crossroads Baptist Church, Orange Grove, MS
There was no public kindergarten in MS at the time. I quickly became indoctrinated into the very rigid, disciplinarian- style of private education in the deep South. My experiences here would shape my beliefs (or lack thereof) regarding religion in my early twenties and beyond. -
Moved to the Phillipines
I lived a very sheltered charmed life on base. I attended DOD schools with extremely small student to teacher ratios and a plethora of resources. Through the DOD system, I was also required to take classes on Phillipine culture. -
Identified as "gifted and talented"-particular strength: mathematics
I was forced to "drop out" of kindergarten early in order to move to the Phillipines and was unable to finish my schooling due to the time it took to transport my family. The testing was actually done to determine whether I should be placed in the first grade or repeat kindergarten. It was actually found that I was testing at the second/third grade level, but my parents made the decision to keep me with my social peers...a decision that I wholeheartedly agree with and appreciate. -
3rd grade fractions convince me that I am horrible in math
My "struggles" began in math in the third grade. All other subjects came easily; math I had to work to understand. I misunderstood this as not being a "good" math student. -
Moved back to Gulfport, MS
This was quite a culture shock for me. Not only due to the loss of my personal freedom due to no longer living on base, but this was the first time that I actually experienced racial tension. I befriended an African American girl whose father was also a Seabee for the Navy when I first started school; she and I were both surprised by the reaction of the other children in school when we were shunned by whites and blacks alike because of our friendship. -
Placed in "remedial" class because it was the "only one with room for new students"
Despite being identified gifted, the only class that wasn't "full" was a remedial class that had "pull-out" support. The teacher, whom I adore to this day, did the best she could for me by differentiating instruction for me (long before this became a buzz-word). Through independent research projects, peer-tutoring, and novel study, she kept me engaged and flourshing during a year in which I could have easily shut down. -
Moved to Monteray, CA
I attended Colton Jr. High and fell in love with English, Science and Music classes primarily due to the teachers. This was probably the first time I realized what an affect a teacher can have on a student's attitude toward a discipline. -
Moved to Northern Virginia
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Placed in Algebra I for 8th grade-received "A"
Algebra seemed easy, and I had the grade to show it. Hindsight being 20/20, I simply memorized the algorithms and the processes; I had absolutely NO understanding of WHY I was preforming the processes, and I quickly "brain-dumped" all information from the course. -
Accepted to 2nd graduating class of TJHSS&T, Alexandria, VA
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Geometry class convinces me that I am NOT GOOD IN MATH
My first "real" struggle in mathematics. I had NO IDEA what was going on, a feeling to which I was not accustomed. I took a lot for me to finally approach the teacher and ask for extra help. Her response: She looked down her nose at me and responded, "YOU"RE GIFTED. I'M SURE WITH A LITTLE WORK, YOU'LL FIGURE IT OUT." I shut down....finished the year with a "C-" (my first non-"A".) -
Dropped out of TJHSS&T
Math continued to baffle me. I continued to shut down. By the time I dropped out, I actually had a "D" for the first semester in mathematics, however the teacher felt sorry for me and gave me the grade I had had at progess report, so that I wouldn't "start at my new school on a bad foot". -
"C-" Algebra II/Trig
Managed to get a "B" on the final exam. I chalked it up to "luck" rather than understanding. -
"C-" Functions/Trig
Absolutely the WORST teacher I had in my entire educational career....including the Geometry teacher. :( This woman would (and I don't exaggerate) sit at her desk at the BACK of the room and would have some pages written on the chalkboard at the front of the room. We would come in, take our seats facing AWAY from her; she would open her newspaper, flip the right corner down and state flatly, "Do the odds". -
Met Mr. Jack Kemp - AP Calculus teacher AB
Fortunately for me, all of us from the previous year's teacher ended up in the same class with Mr. Kemp. After spending a few weeks struggling with us and trying to convince us that "we should know this stuff", he realized that we REALLY DID NOT KNOW THAT STUFF! He actually took the time out of his packed AP curriculum to fill in the obvious gaping holes that we had. I credit Mr. Kemp with reintroducing me to a discipline that I had grown to despise and for rebuilding my confidence. -
Accepted early decision to VT Architecture program
I chose architecture over engineering because there was LESS MATH. -
Scored a "4" AP exam, "B" AP Calculus AB
I don't know who was more proud (or shocked): Mr. Kemp or myself. -
Dropped out of Architecture
After meeting several architects, I decided that it was not the right career path for me. I saw the potential that my career would have to consume me and decided that having a family and life outside of work was more important to me. -
Took a summer job teaching preschool
...and loved it. I found that I had a natural gift for working with children. Classroom management came very easy to me, and teaching continued to give me the creative outlet that I so enjoyed as an architecture major. -
Transferred to ODU to study education
I decided to study middle school education since ODU had a five year Master's program. (I had already planned on being in school for five years anyway with the architecture program.) I enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Studies program with a BS made up of three minors: Education, Science, and English. (I still had not fully gotten over my aversion to mathematics.) -
MATH 105: Geometry for Teachers
After my first test, the professor approach me about "helping" the other students after class. The room we were in was apparently open right after our meetings, and I apparently out-scored the other students by over 20 percentage points. By the end of the semester, almost 80% of the class was staying with me after class, and I was re-teaching the lessons to the students.. I BEGAN TO SEE MYSELF AS A MATH TEACHER. -
Changed major to Science and Math education
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Hired as a 7th grade Science teacher in Hampton City Schools
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First job as a Mathematics teacher
Due to need, I was administratively switched to teach math (Algebra I, Pre-Algebra, Math 7) Since I was to teach Algebra, I had to go back and take a class to become certified. Luckily, the gentlemen in HR (Kevin Carrigan) pointed out to me that if I simply took two MORE classes, I would be eligible for my HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS endorsement. Thank goodness I did; otherwise I would not be where I am now! -
Moved to the AVID 8th grade team
AVID sparks my awareness of those that "fall-between-the-cracks" in education. I am introduced to Cornell-style notes (which I continue to use in a modified version) and the use of graphic organizers and hooks to real-life in mathematics. -
Nominated for Syms Middle Teacher of the Year
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Moved to VBCPS to teach Geometry at Kemps Landing Magnet School-introduced to UbD
VBCPS's resources allow me to begin exploring the use of technology in my mathematics classroom. I also begin writing curriculum using the UbD format. -
Nominated for KLMS Teacher of the Year
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Took hiatus from teaching to be with my children
The demands of teaching and the cost of two in day-care proved to be too much for my "Mommy-guilt". I was able to stay home with my children until the economy began to trend downward in late 2006/early 2007. While a stay-at-home mom, I continuedto volunteer as a math coach and PTA Executive Board member in my children's elementary school. -
Son begins school; I begin to see education from the "other side"
Looking back, I don't think I really became a "great" teacher until my own child was also in school and I was able to better see the educational system from both sides. There are many things that I do differently now that I have had the opportunity to be the "parent" as well as the "teacher", particularly when it comes to expectations of work to be done at home and timelines. -
Return to teaching
I accepted a position teaching Geometry for the OLHS Math and Science Academy. -
Took PBS Teacherline course on Multiple Intelligences
The final project for this course inspired my scrapbook projects that I use with my lower-level geometry students. -
Received 1st VBEF Building Futures Grant for Digital scrapbooks
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Nominated OLHS Teacher of the Year
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Began participation in 21st century eteacher cadre
This, by far, has been the most challenging and the most rewarding experience that I have had in my professional development. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. I am a better teacher for it. -
Supervisor suggested that I pursue my National Board Certification
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Nominated OLHS Teacher of the Year
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ASCD Conference, Orlando, FL
I attended this conference with an African-American co-worker and dear friend. Our time together both in and out of sessions gives us the opportunity to have frank, thought-provoking conversations concerning race and the achievement gap between African American males and other demographic groups. I have come back with new perspective...I recommend the following book to all: Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School and in Life by Baruti K. Kafele An easy but insightful read.