Who's Hooty?
After spending a whopping 30 years in the public school system, I’ve definitely been through the fatigue and burnout that comes with the job. I’ve tackled 2nd to 5th grade classes, both in self-contained and departmentalized settings, but you know what really gets me excited? Upper elementary math, it’s my jam!
I have a Master’s degree in early childhood education under my belt, and I’m also a Google Certified Educator. I love creating cool online tools and stuff that jazzes up the learning process and makes teaching a breeze.
Background
Growing up in a single-parent home, my mom was always my source of encouragement. She made me believe I could do anything. In elementary school, math was a breeze for me, and I felt really good at it. But things changed when I got to middle school.
In seventh grade, I entered a bigger and more unfamiliar world with lockers, new friends, and different kinds of classrooms. I ended up in an honors math class that moved pretty fast. I felt lost, especially when my math teacher sort of joked about how smart we were based on where we sat. I happened to sit at the back of the room, which he called the “dumb” side. His words made me doubt myself, and math became something I feared.
My Story
A decade later, as a new teacher, I faced a problem. I had limited resources and the textbook I had rushed through skills, just like my experience in seventh grade. My students were frustrated, just like I had been. So, I decided to create activities to help them really understand math.
Surprisingly, despite my own struggles, I’ve come to enjoy teaching math the most. I know how tough it can be, so I make sure my materials are easy to use and help students learn. My resources go beyond the basics; they make students think and learn more.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: that every student, no matter their challenges, should end the day feeling smarter than they did yesterday.
