This school year marks my tenth year in the profession. I have enjoyed each and EVERY year of meeting new students/parents, creating lasting relationships with students, and sparking their dim love for math. I have learned over the past couple of years, students do not hate me, they hate the subject “Math”. For as long as I can remember students are only “good” at math if they can remember the magic tricks that were presented in lessons and could reproduce the “tricks”. This year, students have spent more time learning to critical think, strategize, and approach an application with an open mind to figure things out. Students learn at different paces and I have SURE seen the student/teacher ratio also have an impact of the students’ comfort level to open up to learning.

This school year I have implemented a strategy of slow down and breathe. Instead of running with the pacing guide and pushing the gas, I am going to LOOP like I have never looped before, revisit, reteach, tutor, make connections with my students, and make sure mastery is attained. Pretty hard to do when there are markers and content that needs to be covered. IF I teach students to relax and approach every problem with authenticity, we will figure things out.

My professional goals this school year will focus on student proficiency, technology implementation, leading through PBIS, and offering tutoring assistance. A school is only as strong as the leaders and teachers. Focusing on my students and their feelings will ensure relationships are created for academic success. Thus far, I am having one of the BEST years in the profession. I will in the upcoming week share my reflection and joyous thoughts with my students and encourage them to keep up the GREAT work! 7^th Grade by far is one of the best grades to settle down with.