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Connie S.

Costa
MIAA 350-Parker
Reflection #4
March 2014

Interview with an 8
th
grade/Algebra 1 Teacher

I posed questions to an 8
th
grade/Algebra 1 teacher at my site. Below, in the red font, are
her responses. After her responses is my reflection.

MIAA 350-How will the increase in my content knowledge and understanding of mathematics help
me to effectively engage students and increase their understanding of mathematical concepts in
a meaningful way?

Above is my action research question for the course Im currently enrolled in. The
questions below are related to my focus question.

1. What grade are you currently teaching? I currently teach 7
th
and 8
th
grade.
2. How long have you been teaching at this grade level? Ive been teaching at this
grade level for 11 years.
3. How long have you been teaching math? Ironically, Ive been teaching math
(either single subject or multiple subject) for my whole career16 years. (Youll see
why thats ironic in the next two questions.)
4. What are some of your earliest memories of learning/doing math? I dont
remember much about math up until 6
th
grade when I had a really hard time learning
long division. (Hard to believe they taught it that late!!) I always pushed myself to
take the honors classes, but I struggled because of the delivery (direct instruction, no
student interaction). In high school, I only passed my Algebra II class because I
taught myself out of the book. So, most of my memories about math are negative.
5. When reflecting upon your own schooling (grade school, middle school, high
school), did math come easy to you? Was math difficult for you? Do you
have fond memories of learning mathematics or was learning mathematics
more of a nightmare for you? Knowing what I know now, I think if I had had the
opportunity to learn in the way that I currently teach (the way I learned to teach
through LAMP), I would have been much more successful and I would have liked
math more. Math was difficult for me, and I cant remember anything positive about
my learning experiences with math. This is so funny because now I love math and I
cant imagine teaching any other subject.
6. How would you describe your current level of understanding of mathematics
in the K-8 setting? I think I have a very good grasp of math in the K-8 setting. I
feel I could teach math successfully at any level K-8.
7. Is there an area of mathematics you feel you have a stronger understanding of
and higher comfort level teaching? If so, which area? And why do you feel
this way? I understand anything algebraic much more than anything geometric. Ive
been this way since grade school. I have taught this concept much more than any
geometry concept, so the constant repetition and the research into how to teach
algebra concepts have strengthened my knowledge.
8. How has the strength mentioned above helped you teach your students?
Because I have a stronger sense of the algebra, I think it allows me to approach the
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9. teaching from different points of view. I can therefore try to help them learn the way
that works best for them.
10. Is there any area in math that you would like to have more training? If so,
what areas? GEOMETRY!!!
11. If you were asked to move either up or down two grade levels from your
current grade level, would you feel comfortable and confident to teach
mathematics at that new grade level? Why or why not? I do feel comfortable
and confident to teach math at a different grade level because I have done enough
research in standards above and below my current grade level to give me this
confidence. This has given me an idea of where my students are coming from and
where they are going mathematically. I operate as a teacher with that knowledge in
my head already, so the math in a new grade level wouldnt really be new, if that
makes any sense!

I have had the pleasure of observing this particular teacher in the past, during her Algebra
1 course and I have had the opportunity to pick her brain on more than one occasion
regarding math concepts and teaching strategies. She is an asset to our staff and Claudia
Landeen.

As I reflect upon her responses to my interview questions one thing stands out to me and
that is how this teacher wishes that she had had a more student-centered learning
experience in math. She mentioned the LAMP training that she received through Lincoln
Unified and how that helped her in both her content knowledge and in her pedagogy. She
goes on to state that had she been taught in more of a LAMP-style learning environment,
she feels she would have been more successful and struggled less during her K-12 school
years. She also feels that had this happened, she would have enjoyed math more. But,
instead, math was difficult for her and she didnt enjoy it. However, this teacher does go
on to state, that she now enjoys math and couldnt imagine teaching any other subject.

I can relate to her in these aspects. During my own K-12 school years math was never
easy and I didnt enjoy it. My earliest memories of math are rote learning and drill and
kill type lessons and activities. I dont remember using manipulatives either. Because of
this type of instruction, I feel I was unable to make the necessary connections between
math concepts. Everything was so disjointed. Going through the LAMP program helped
me to have a stronger foundational understanding of the concepts I was teaching in sixth
grade. In addition, LAMP helped sharpen my teaching skills and lesson planning. As Ive
continued to teach in the sixth grade, my understanding of math concepts has grown and
Im less and less dependent on the teachers edition as I once was ten years ago. In
addition, participating in the math authorization program has really helped me to further
develop my understanding of math concepts and make those connections and learn new
strategies for teaching math. Overall, because of my increased content knowledge and
understanding, I feel I can help make math more engaging and meaningful for my
students. I LOVE witnessing those A HA moments my students have, when they finally
make the connections and understand.

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