The Math Learning Center Blog

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...

Meet Amy Soellner What grades do you teach, and/or your title/role? I am a multilevel math interventionist for kindergarten, all the way to fifth grade. What school, district or institution do you work for? Location? I have been a teacher at Butterfield School in Libertyville, IL, for 19 years. I spent 10 years in fifth grade, 6 years in third, and this is my third year as an interventionist. Who...

Meet Theresa Schrader What grades do you teach, and/or your title/role? I teach fourth grade math/science. What school, district or institution do you work for? Location? I work in Bethel, Connecticut, at Johnson School. Who inspired you to become an educator? My first grade teacher inspired me at a young age to become a teacher. She made learning fun, helped me when I had trouble reading and...

Meet Jessica Rock What grades do you teach, and/or your title/role? I have the privilege of serving as a second grade classroom teacher. What school, district or institution do you work for? Location? I work at Hiawatha Elementary School in Berwyn South School District 100. Our district is located in the western suburbs of Chicago. Who inspired you to become an educator? My fourth and fifth grade...