Let's Talk About Math: Learning to Ask the Right Questions

I graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I obtained a degree in Psychology, spending two years studying Spanish and soaking up all of the Math classes that I could. After returning to school to complete Alternate Certification for Teaching, I began my career in Education in a public school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, teaching there for 3 years. 

Following this time, I moved to Colombia and shortly thereafter to Chile. During my two years in Chile, I had the opportunity to teach stories to children (ages 4-10) in a children's home while strengthening my ability to speak Spanish as well. For the last 14 years, my family has traveled to Mexico annually. Through these travels, I have taught children (ages 4-13) stories and crafts in Spanish in many villages and cities throughout central and southern Mexico. As a result of traveling extensively to Spanish-speaking countries, I have become fluent in Spanish. For the last 12 years, I have homeschooled by own children (ages 7, 15, 17, 23). Ten of those years were spent teaching class for children of families in our community. Some of those classes included Latin, Exposition/Composition, and Math. In the last five years of accompanying middle and high school students in their educational journey, I have become skilled in persuasive writing, Latin, and Algebra. I am passionate about equipping students with the tools to learn anything set before them. I enjoy using the right questions to draw out information in our learners. 

I love languages and math. Beginning with my own language, I have developed a strong appreciation for the power that is packed inside of the words we use in speaking and writing. The biggest obstacle most young writers have when faced with a writing assignment is - "I don't know what to write about!" If we know the right questions to ask, that obstacle disappears! Literature gives us a great place to start in digging deeper into using our words effectively to persuade others. As we peek into the lives of characters, we can place ourselves in their shoes to develop strong ideas of what we may have done in their position.

It excites me to take a jump back in time to the roots of our own English language... Latin. I enjoy exploring the foundation of many of these words we use every day and opening the minds of others to the great value of Latin in our day today. 

After studying Spanish in college, I was prepared to step to the next level of true communication with others as I traveled to various Spanish-speaking countries. When our minds are opened to another language, we begin to understand those around us from other cultures as well. I love unpacking the Spanish language for others to be opened to how big and beautiful the world is.

It doesn't take long to look around us to see that Math is everywhere. It's fascinating to just step outside and be amazed at the way Math will greet us in everything we see. Challenging students to find Math all around them helps them see that Math is mystery that invites us to solve it.

Diving into Algebra for the last five years has allowed me to press upon my students the importance of letting these thought processes serve them well as a great mind exercise that makes them fit for future levels of learning. I hope to help students hone the skills of problem solving to prepare them for their life ahead.