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Equitable Math Education Jessica Rennie Home Learn More Inspiration About the Author |
Closing the Math Achievement Gap:
About the Author
About the Author
Jessica Rennie, 5th Grade Teacher
I’m a wife to my Scottish Coopering husband, mom of two athletic amazing children and one crazy loving dog and one fun loving kitty, a friend when I can squeeze in some social time, coffee drinker by day, wine aficionado by night, and full time 5th Grade teacher who has taken on completing a Master’s Degree in Innovative Learning! And, I can’t imagine my life without any of it!
I have taught Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade. I have also been an art teacher, home hospital teacher, and intervention teacher, and currently teach the Read 180/System 44 program to 5th Graders along with all the other subjects at my site. I have taught it all at the Elementary Level.
When I began my teaching career (in a past century-seriously), classroom lessons were usually guided by whole group instruction and I may have had one or two working computers. My classroom has evolved quite a bit. Now most of my instruction takes place in small groups and my students have quite a bit of time guiding their own learning on computers and various programs. I now have 8 desktops and 19 Chromebooks in my classroom! Wowzers!
I am thrilled I finally made the commitment to complete a Master’s Degree of Innovative Learning at Touro University. The people, the research, the strategies and tools that I have been exposed to has had an invaluable impact on my life and career.
I have been able to closely examine my past and current teaching practices and the impact made on my students, and have been exploring how I can have an even greater positive impact on all students that enter my classroom. My goal throughout this program has been to increase math achievement for all students, with a focus on the English Language Learner population in my classroom. I believe in equitable education for all.
I have taught Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade. I have also been an art teacher, home hospital teacher, and intervention teacher, and currently teach the Read 180/System 44 program to 5th Graders along with all the other subjects at my site. I have taught it all at the Elementary Level.
When I began my teaching career (in a past century-seriously), classroom lessons were usually guided by whole group instruction and I may have had one or two working computers. My classroom has evolved quite a bit. Now most of my instruction takes place in small groups and my students have quite a bit of time guiding their own learning on computers and various programs. I now have 8 desktops and 19 Chromebooks in my classroom! Wowzers!
I am thrilled I finally made the commitment to complete a Master’s Degree of Innovative Learning at Touro University. The people, the research, the strategies and tools that I have been exposed to has had an invaluable impact on my life and career.
I have been able to closely examine my past and current teaching practices and the impact made on my students, and have been exploring how I can have an even greater positive impact on all students that enter my classroom. My goal throughout this program has been to increase math achievement for all students, with a focus on the English Language Learner population in my classroom. I believe in equitable education for all.
Reflections on my Journey
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What is TPACK? This is exactly what I asked myself when I was given my first assignment regarding it! TPACK is a teaching framework developed by Punya Mishra and Dr. Matthew Koehler which builds on Lee Shulman's PCK. T refers to technology, P refers to Pedagogy, and CK refers` to Content Knowledge. How can teachers incorporate Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge together? In today's classroom we should not be addressing these components in isolation, but need to find ways to incorporate them simultaneously.
This is exactly what our Innovative Learning experience has been about. I already knew how to teach (pedagogy). I already had content knowledge to deliver and share. I had access to technology (chromebooks, desktop computers, and software programs and apps.) So the next step was learning about how to incorporate all three into the same lesson or learning process for my students. How could I used pedagogy, content, and technology cohesively? Introducing flipped Lessons to my students in the math classroom was one step towards the use of TPACK. I simply found a program that allowed my students to access the content knowledge (math standards) through video instruction. They had the opportunity to view this video as many times as needed, take notes, and ask questions. Once arriving at the small group table, I could address questions, practice applying the new learned knowledge, and reinforce skills. TPACK has greatly influenced my teaching practices and student math achievement in my classroom. |
Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning program
The amount of knowledge (in the world of education and about myself) that I have aquired during these three semesters I believe will be invaluable to me. Looking at elementary classrooms from around the world, being exposed to the wealth of technology that is free and accessbile to myself and students, and learning how to step out of my comfort zone and persevere has been magnificent. Thank you to the fabulous Cohort 9, Dr. Hawley, Roger Pence, Brenna Curtis, Angelene Warnock, Jane Gould, and Dr. Pamela Redmond!