Meet Molly Smith What grade do you teach? Or what is your title or role? I teach first grade. I am also the math curriculum leader and one of the ST Math champions for my school. What school, district, or institution do you work for? Where is it located? I work for Mendon-Upton Regional School District at Memorial School. My school is in Upton, Massachusetts. Who inspired you to become an educator...
Meet Jennifer Givens What grade do you teach? (Or what is your title or role?) I am the Title 1 resource teacher and support grades K–2 in math and ELA. I plan with teachers, and co-teach and conduct small group interventions. What school, district, or institution do you work for? Location? I work for Baltimore County Public Schools at Halethorpe Elementary School. Who inspired you to become an...
Meet Sandra Morassutti What grade do you teach? (Or what is your title or role?) I currently teach grade 2/3 French immersion. What school, district, or institution do you work for? Location? I teach with the Toronto Catholic District School Board which is located in Toronto, Canada. Who inspired you to become an educator? My mom! She always knew I worked well with children and encouraged me to...
Meet Ivette Carnota-Costa What grade do you teach? (Or what is your title or role?) I am a 2nd-grade bilingual teacher. What school, district, or institution do you work for? Location? I teach in Plainfield Elementary School, District 62, Des Plaines, Illinois. Who inspired you to become an educator? I was inspired by my elementary teacher (the same teacher from 1st to 3rd grade). I still remember...
We are sad to share the news that our co-founder, Dr. Eugene Maier, passed away earlier this month after a long illness. Gene was a pioneer in developing visual methods for understanding math, and had an unshakeable belief in the ability of each person to find their inner mathematician. Over the span of his distinguished career as a professor, author, and thought leader, Gene had a profound impact...
The year is coming to an end. Soon your classroom will be quiet. No more pencils, no more books, no more finger counting, no more area models, no more calendar grid markers, no more pattern blocks and geoboard bands and base ten pieces littering the floor. As Sam Keen said, “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” You’ve earned all the relaxation you can get this summer; enjoy it...
Meet Stephanie Quarantotto What grades do you teach, and/or your title/role? I teach fourth grade, all subjects. What school, district or institution do you work for? Location? Pennell Elementary School in Penn-Delco School District (in Aston, PA). Who inspired you to become an educator? A former teacher at Sun Valley High School, Chuck Grassano. He was the kind of educator that led from behind...
Meet Megan Cassidy What grades do you teach, and/or your title/role? I am a third grade elementary math and science teacher. What school, district or institution do you work for? Location? I currently teach at Tinicum School, which is located in the Interboro School District in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Who inspired you to become an educator? I became a teacher because I have always loved...
Attending a Getting Started workshop is a foundational experience for Bridges educators. During the workshop, educators gain familiarity with the components of the curriculum, learn how these components work in the classroom, and investigate ways to use questioning techniques and visual models to differentiate instruction for their students. But how can districts support educators who join a...
Meet Lyndsay Blaisse What grades do you teach, and/or your title/role? What school, district, or institution do you work for? Location? I am a fifth grade general education teacher at Pennell Elementary. Pennell is a part of the Penn-Delco School District located in Aston, PA. Who inspired you to become an educator? A large part of my inspiration comes from the teachers I had growing up. I have...
