I wanted to continue improving my skillsets and strategies for best teaching practices. I also enjoy the challenge of developing into a confident leader who can advocate for implementing resources and best practices.

Every time I go to class and am around this group of teachers and professors that are passionate about teaching, I become a better teacher, and it makes me want to keep going on those days that are really tough.

It was a professional development opportunity that also allows me to honor my responsibility of teaching my students math. I enjoy getting to implement evidence-based research in my classroom and share it with others.

My desire after this process is to work with teachers and colleagues to not only provide encouragement and support but also help them grow as educators, too — something that ultimately benefits our students.

Both the networking aspect and getting to hear different perspectives offered by fellow cohort members are invaluable. I also get to learn about different strategies and methods to incorporate in my classroom to help ensure students make sufficient learning gains.

I want to make sure that my students are receiving the best education possible. Understanding that you can incorporate strategies like use of manipulatives, different conceptual ideas, and more concrete representations in mathematics can help our students make efficient learning gains.

For me, it’s the research that allows me to discover how other people think about math and learning. I don’t want to just make a difference. I want to influence the changes in education when it comes to applying math — in fact, some of the strategies we are learning now through research can be applied to any subject area.

I want to be instrumental in helping my district be the top producers of mathematical thinkers. I also want to help everyone see the wonder, joy and beauty of mathematics in their everyday lives.

Although my students were doing well, I didn’t realize just how much I didn’t know about mathematical strategies until I went through the program. I’m using everything I’ve learned in the classroom to help my students grow and succeed.

It’s not something I’m learning just to get a degree. I’m taking what I learned in mathematics leadership and becoming an expert in it so I can help bring that information to other teachers at my school.