Let's Make Math, Make Sense!

Carla M.

I have been told, "You’re the math teacher. You must be so amazing at math!"

The truth is, I struggled with math as a student and therefore, I understand the difficulties students face when learning mathematical concepts. My lessons scaffold to support students, but also challenge them. My desire is to provide students with opportunities to persevere until they have that “AHA!” moment. I love sharing in students’ joy when they figure out a demanding problem. This accomplishment builds their confidence and through this, they experience the joy of mathematics. Let's make math make sense - I'm here to help you on your journey!

I have been fortunate to have been a math teacher for 20 years. It's hard for me to believe I have been so lucky to grow and evolve my practice over all of that time, and get to work with awesome students in the process. In addition to my many years of experience, I have a Master's in Education with a Specialization in Middle School Math. (Yes, that's a thing!)

I have taught sixth grade through eighth grade, including Algebra I. In addition, I was an elementary math coach, so I am also well-versed in concepts taught from kindergarten through fifth grade. I am familiar with Common Core standards, and the methodologies used to teach those standards, no matter what curriculum your child is using in school.

I don't see myself as a "homework helper," I see myself as a "foundation-builder," a "sense-strengthener," and a "math mentor" - if your student has been struggling in math, they need someone who can really understand why they are struggling, someone who can address their misconceptions, and bridge from what they know to where they need to be!

As a teacher, my mantra is to “meet students where they are” and build student skills from that point. Even our struggling learners have a vast amount of mathematical experiences. In order to help them best succeed, we need to determine how to tap into their knowledge and build on those experiences. Through a variety of strategies and disc