Sweet Math: Introduction to Division Using Tasty Arrays

Hey! 
My name is Matt Jones and currently live and teach in sunny Florida.  I am a husband and a father of 2 crazy...I mean precious children. I love sports and being outside as much as I can. But, I also love reading, cooking, throwing pottery, the stock market, Ebay, home projects, chess, and learning. O.K. so that was way more than you wanted to know, but I love learning so I am constantly trying new things and finding that I like them all, well most of them....bricklaying is not so much fun. I love learning so much in fact that I am currently working on a degree in educational leadership so I can become a principal in the future. This hunger for learning  is what makes me a great teacher as it helps me to inspire kids with the same things that inspire me. 

I am certified to teach P.E., Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education, and ELL in the state of Florida. I am currently a P.E. teacher for middle school students, but have taught in 3rd grade and ESE. While teaching 3rd grade I became known for my ability to use tech in education as well as my amazingly fun and interactive science, math, and reading lessons. (I may or may not have caught things on fire and brought in a chocolate fountain after reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory)

I teach a variety of classes from movement and physical education classes to hands on math lessons to reading strategies classes. Each class has it's own unique flow and feel, but each include a few important elements. First, personal connection is critical because it is very difficult for students to learn from someone they haven't connected with.  The first part of all of my classes includes introductions and an icebreaker. I'm a dad, so unfortunately they will have to put up with a lot of dad jokes. Sorry in advance. They will also have to put up with a lot of craziness. I once dressed up as a surgeon and taught in a Russian accent to teach a multiplication lesson. I know, cheesy, but highly effective. Next, I believe in an inquiry based hands on model of learning. Simply put that means that the students have to be the ones asking the questions or the questions I'm asking have to be meaningful to them.  Basically, I have to lead them to have a true interest and an engagement in the lesson or they will be thinking about something else....like Pokemon or Fortnite. Finally, all of my classes will ask them to collaborate with another student or students. They will learn from each other as they watch, interact with, and team up with other kids their age. I especially love to team kids up and watch them collaborate and succeed. 

I hope you will consider signing your student up for one of my classes and letting them participate in a learning experience that will be fun and engaging but most of all educational.