|
PIMMS' Mission ...to improve mathematics and science education for all students through high-quality professional development programs for teachers. |
PIMMS Graduates Nine Fellows from 2007 Mathematics Leadership Academy
Nine Connecticut
mathematics teachers were
named “PIMMS Fellows” on July 11, 2007, following 15 months of study
directed through the PIMMS Mathematics Leadership Academy (MLA)
and a summer intensive program in 2007. This group – the first to
earn the distinction since 2001 – will join more than 650 others
awarded the title since the inaugural Vanguard Mathematics and
Science Fellows of 1984.
The MLA project, directed by PIMMS in partnership with the Hamden and Ansonia Public schools, was initiated in Spring 2006, with training provided during the summer and throughout the 2006-07 academic year. Forty-eight teachers from 13 CT school districts and 2 technical high schools participated. The new Fellows – among them three high school and six middle school teachers – chose to extend and cap their MLA experience with a two-course, two-week intensive workshop in 2007, completing a total of more than 160 hours of training. The summer program was designed and taught by Dr. Robert A. Rosenbaum, The University Professor of Mathematics and the Sciences, emeritus and founder and Chair of the Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science (PIMMS) of Wesleyan University.
The objective of the MLA project was to deepen teachers’ understanding of mathematical concepts and pedagogy, as well as to develop their skills as leaders and coaches. Workshops also addressed the use of software to enhance instruction in the classroom and for professional presentations, and provided guidance for analyzing school and district assessment data connected with the CT Mathematics Framework across the grades. Teachers made presentations to their colleagues at department, school, and district meetings during the academic year. They also worked directly with teachers in their buildings to gain math-coaching experience. Through learning communities guided by a mentor, teachers had the opportunity to share their learning with other MLA teachers. They will continue their activities as presenters, mentors, and consultants.
Summer 2007 training with Dr. Rosenbaum addressed conceptual frameworks of numbers and number systems, the geometry of two- and three-dimensional Euclidean space, and concepts and significance of non-Euclidean geometries – all in a historical context that highlighted the development and evolution of mathematics.
“Dr. Bob,” in his 68th year of teaching, at age 91, was impressed with the new group of Fellows. He says that working with this group of dedicated teachers has been one of his most rewarding experiences, sustaining his belief that the development of cohorts of colleagues who are also friends represents PIMMS most important contribution.
Following the summer program and in the true spirit of PIMMS Fellowship, a teacher wrote, “It has been an honor to be with my fellow PIMMS peers and the most enjoyable 10 days of instruction I have ever had. Every math teacher should be as lucky as I have been to have Dr. Bob as a teacher! Thank you!”
Echoing those sentiments, another teacher wrote, “To be a pupil of Dr. Bob Rosenbaum has been a valuable experience that I will benefit from and never forget.”
Funding for the MLA project was provided by the CT State Department of Education through the U.S. Dept. of Education Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Grant Program. The extended Fellowship training with Dr. Rosenbaum was funded by PIMMS.
PIMMS will continue its mission for a 28th year “to improve mathematics and science education for all students throughout Connecticut by offering high-quality professional development programs to teachers.” The new PIMMS Fellows will help in that mission as they share their learning with colleagues and students and serve as resource staff for future PIMMS training.
The new PIMMS Fellows:
Susan Corriveau is a graduate of WCSU and CCSU. She has been at teacher for 30 years and a Mathematics Department Facilitator since 1999 at Cromwell High School. Currently, she teaches Geometry and Algebra II in grades 10-12. Sue loves math and especially enjoys working with students. But she also enjoys the opportunity to share with colleagues. Upon beginning the MLA program, she wrote, “I am excited about the opportunity to increase my leadership skills… in order to promote and support expertise in the teaching and learning of mathematics.”
Gina Zaleski DeMay is a graduate of CCSU. She teaches at Thomas Edison Middle Magnet School in Meriden, where she enjoys teaching Pre-Algebra and Algebra. She writes, “I cannot even come close to expressing how beneficial this PIMMS workshop was for me… I am actually a late bloomer; I returned to school after having four children and am a fifth-year teacher. I absolutely love my job as a math teacher to young teenagers in 8th grade.” About Gina, a building administrator writes, “Ms. Zaleski is an energetic, passionate and dedicated teacher… she is a collegial member of our staff and is well respected by her peers.”
Mindy Gottlieb is a graduate of Queens College CUNY. She is presently an eighth grade teacher at Flood Middle School in Stratford. Although teaching is a career change for her, Mindy, whose background is in accounting, finance, and computer consulting, says, “I always wanted to be a math teacher…” She enjoys engaging her students in the classroom and refers to money and economics when developing conceptual understanding for mathematical applications.
Sharon Keegan is a graduate of St. Joseph College and CCSU, and holds degrees in special education and regular education (K-8 and 7-12 mathematics). Sharon is a 27-year veteran teacher, and is currently a mentor and grade 8 mathematics teacher at Illing Middle School in Manchester. Sharon says, “I love teaching math, especially algebra. I demand a great deal from my students, but the pay-off is when they say, ‘I get it!!’” Her district mathematics supervisor writes, “Sharon is successful in both teaching students and providing leadership for teachers.”
Danuta H. Mullen is a graduate of CCSU and has taught grades nine through twelve (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry) at E. C. Goodwin Technical High School for 19 years. Danuta finds great joy in working with students. “My enthusiasm and love of teaching mathematics is transparent to my students, especially my high expectations of them.” Through the additional training, Danuta’s goal was to grow as a leader so that her colleagues could look to her “for moral, academic, and professional support.”
René Pietrosimone is a graduate of CCSU and SCSU, and has been teaching for nine years. She currently teaches 6th grade at Ridge Hill Elementary School in Hamden. Although her students seem to like math, René enjoys the challenge of “getting them fully engaged” in the mathematics, and has appreciated the opportunity through the PIMMS training to learn new and interesting strategies for accomplishing that task. She also says, “Working and communicating with my colleagues is very important to me. I believe that students achieve more when teachers work together.”
Basilla Stevens is a graduate of UCONN and Sacred Heart University, has been teaching math for 13 years at Seymour Middle School, and is currently teaching grade eight math and Algebra I. Basilla’s interest in teaching mathematics began when she was helping her own children with math and her “enjoyment has grown by leaps and bounds, ever since.” She says that she strives to become a better math teacher and “share the wealth” with her colleagues.
Angela Swanepoel is a graduate of Johannesburg College of Education in South Africa and the University of South Africa. She teaches grades 9 and 10, Algebra and Geometry, at Bunnell High School in Stratford. In her own words, “Mathematics is my passion and I have always loved teaching math by manipulation. My love of math makes me continue to search for more ideas that encourage greater understanding by my students.”
Paula Weinzmimmer has BS and MSE degrees from the University of New Haven. She is presently teaching grades five and six at Ferrara Elementary School in East Haven. “I definitely have the most fun teaching math and science. I like to convey my passion to my students, for I feel if I am having fun, they will, too.” She adds, “I am very excited to share what I have learned [through PIMMS] with students and colleagues, and I will continue to increase my mathematical expertise throughout my career.”
