2019 Math Perspectives Summer Institute A New Resource Series! - Heart Math Tutoring

2019 Math Perspectives Summer Institute A New Resource Series! - Heart Math Tutoring 2019 Math Perspectives Summer Institute: A New Resource Series! 2019 Math Perspectives Summer Institute: A New Resource Series! August 6, 2019 Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to join educators from around the nation in a week-long training with Kathy Richardson and the Math Perspectives professional development team here in Charlotte. We had the chance to collaborate and encourage one another in creatively and effectively serving our students. As we prepare for a new school year, we are excited to continue growing and strengthening our approach to math instruction. While the training was geared towards teachers, much of what we learned can be implemented by a tutor at any level, strengthening the level of student support during the tutoring sessions. We’ve summarized several learnings below and will expand on each topic in the coming months as we gear up for another great year of tutoring. Check back soon to learn more! The Power of Curiosity We know that children respond honestly when they believe that others are interested in what they have to say, and we know that our students can intuit whether we are pushing for a specific answer or sincerely interested in their thinking. In order to help our students remain inquisitive about the world of math, we need to stay genuinely curious about their learning! Let’s shift our questions away from, “And what did you get?” to, “How did you get there?” If we stay inquisitive about math, our students will too! Get Out of the Way! “We have to get out of the way of a child’s learning.” Kathy continued to return to this theme all week, consistently emphasizing the importance of discovery and exploration in a child’s development of authentic math understanding. It makes sense, right? When we think of our own mastered skills, how did we get there? In most cases, we gained mastery through our own individual experiences. We need to give students those same opportunities, allowing them to explore which strategies work the best and make the most sense. Defining Mastery What does it mean to master a skill in math? Kathy explained that true mastery looks like a student using a skill, internalizing it to the point that he or she won’t forget it over the summer. She encouraged us to, “Keep practicing until they can do it no matter what, no matter where, no matter when.” Ultimately, we want our students to be able to make sense of numbers and move through the world of mathematics flexibly, efficiently, and accurately. What would it look like if that’s how we defined mastery? Making Room for Confusion As tutors, I think many of us have experienced that tense feeling when our student is trying to figure out a problem…and gets a little confused. This week, Kathy challenged us to change our view on confusion. She challenged us to begin embracing it as a natural sign of learning rather than interpreting it as failed attempt. If we jump to correct or rescue a child from a confusing situation, we could in fact be denying them an opportunity to discover a strategy or relationship on their own. Thank You, Kathy Math Perspectives Team! â€" A Note from Our Executive Director Several from our team had the privilege of eating dinner with Kathy Richardson and her colleagues. Her passion shines through brightly as she reminded our group of how she began to love teaching math in the first place: it was through seeing what happens to students once they realize that they are good at math. Understanding math and numbers helps students understand some things about themselves â€" that they count; that they can figure things out; that they are important; and that they have a place in the world. Over 3,000 Heart Tutoring students to date have benefitted from the powerful (and empowering) one-on-one assessment interviews written by Kathy Richardson and Math Perspectives. What an honor, and what fun, to have her in the Queen City for a week! â€" Emily Gaffney, Heart Tutoring Executive Director

Why you should teach in an IB school

Why you should teach in an IB school If you’ve ever been browsing the Teach Away job board in search of a unique global opportunity, you may have come across postings for positions at International Baccalaureate, or IB, schools. These schools are significantly different from other private and public international schools as well as from local private and public schools. IB schools aren’t better or worse than other options, but do have some unique qualities and education approaches that might make them a more desirable place to teach. They strive to go beyond basic curricula to instill caring and curiosity in their students. IB schools work hard to ensure students step outside of the standard subject material and their programs reflect that sentiment; the Primary Years Programme (PYP) applies the transdisciplinary themes, “Who we are”, “Where we are in place and time”, and “How we express ourselves” across all subjects. As a result, starting from the age of 3, children at IB schools inherit genuine senses of caring and curiosity. They focus on shaping global citizens. The I in IB truly does stand for International. IB schools are known for their focus on producing global citizens who are educated about the world. This, too, is clear when you take a look at another three PYP transdisciplinary themes: “How the world works”, “How we organise ourselves”, and “Sharing the planet”. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) doesn’t use transdisciplinary themes, but rather global contexts, which further reinforce the significance of IB students adopting a genuine global way of thinking. The six global contexts are “Identities and relationships”, “Personal and cultural identity”, “Orientations in space and time”, “Scientific and technical innovation”, “Fairness and development”, “Globalization and sustainability”. They constantly work towards improving their teachers. IB schools immerse their teachers in transformative professional development programs. The idea behind their quality PD program is that teachers who are perpetually gaining new skills are best equipped to develop the knowledge and skillsets of their students. IB PD programs consist of face-to-face workshops, online workshops, and blended learning. Teaching in an International Baccalaureate school is a chance to work in a unique global environment while building your education career with experience that is recognized and valued internationally. See some current Teach Away IB job postings below. Visual Arts Teacher - Private International School - Indonesia IB Math Teacher - International School IB Science Teacher - International School IB Economics/Business Management Teacher - International School More info on teaching in IB schools