Math is EVERYWHERE!

Sheila M.

I am currently 65 years old, and I live in a small quaint, Hallmark type town. I have two married children and six grandchildren, and they are growing up entirely too fast! My daughter and family live 3 miles away, but my son and family live in Pasadena California... I miss them! My grandchildren range in age from 8 to 19.

I raised my children before I went back to school to finish my degree. My undergraduate degree is actually in Criminology (ETSU '93) and my Master's Degree is in Elementary Education (Milligan '95). I have taught all subjects in fifth, third, and second grades. I taught ELA, sixth grade, for one year. I taught second grade for 20 years. I love 7 year olds! I can spot them anywhere!

I didn't "love" math when I was in elementary school. The effective math teacher were few and far between and several of them mentioned that they hated math.... Sadly, I joined their sentiment for several years. Just a few years into my second grade teaching experience, I began to really enjoy teaching math! I found it interesting, challenging, and FUN!
I embraced the new common core curriculum as a more diverse way to "understand" math. The administrators noticed this and moved me to fifth grade math. I had to learn the common core methods, and it became very enriching.
I taught fifth grade math for several years and found it extremely rewarding, but was ready to retire.
After retirement, I tutored my California grandchildren in math. Their grades improved so much that sadly, they no longer needed me. I missed working with kids and teaching math! Substituting just wasn't as fulfilling because I couldn't build a rapport with the students. I missed listening to them and their stories. I missed teaching them math and watching their faces when they began to understand strategies and concepts. A tutoring job opened up and I was hooked! It only lasted for a year due to budget cuts, but I will always remember it as one of my favorite experiences in my life1