The Math Brain

Joanna Burt-Kinderman, Hillsboro

Math coach in Pocahontas County Schools, project lead Mountaineer Mathematics, student agency lead First2 Network

OPEN DOORS

“I left high school with zero interest in being a teacher. It wasn’t until college, when a remarkable college math teacher changed everything, that I was suddenly transfixed with the idea. Now, I’m an instructional coach working with anyone who teaches math in our district as well as with a network of amazing teachers from across the state, honing in on those things that bug math teachers. Most of my work is about getting better at getting better.”

ADVANCING CHANGE

“We know a lot about what good instruction looks like, but we haven’t spent enough time really digging into how to get better and what makes it hard to do so. When we invite math teachers to collaboratively to find and solve the problems of teaching and learning, we witness cultural transformation. Teachers who want to do this work together are seeing profound shifts in classrooms.”

A FIGUREHEAD ON A SHIP

“I gratefully accept this acknowledgment on behalf of the teachers of Pocahontas County and the statewide M3T Network. They are constantly working together to improve and be better for their students.”

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