2015 Candidates for District 8 Director

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Jim Monson

Current Position
9 – 12 Grade Mathematics instructor at Rush City High School (Functions Statistics, Geometry, College Algebra/Trig, College Calculus)
Education
High School Mound Westonka 1999 Graduate
Concordia College (Moorhead Minnesota) 2003 Graduate Mathematics Education Major
University of Minnesota Duluth 2010 Masters in Education

Goals as MCTM Officer
I’m in my twelfth year of teaching mathematics. During that time I have had the opportunity to teach at three different districts along I35N a variety of different subjects from individual tutor for 5th and 6th grade students to College Calculus and every class in between besides 7th grade. During my experiences at East Central, Rush City, Hinckley, and now back at Rush City I have come across many different styles of teachers, students, principals and superintendents. Through these experiences I have learned a lot about myself along with the importance of education. Through all my experiences I have had one constant, no matter how much students resist, do not give
up on them. So in saying that my goal as an MCTM officer is to talk and work with other teachers to improve my teaching and help others with theirs. Also working within the constraints of the State and National standards has always been a stressor for mathematics teachers, and after 11 years I’m ready to get involved on the other side of education. My main goal as an MCTM Officer is to listen, discuss, discover, experience, and help make changes in the world of mathematics education.

Professional Affiliations

  • Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM)

Involvement in MCTM and Mathematics Education
I have been attending the MCTM conference off and on since I was a junior in college. I was introduced to the MCTM by my methods teacher Dr. Bill Tomhave of Concordia College, he is very involved in MCTM and encouraged us all to be a part of the MCTM. Most of my involvement has been focused on learning new techniques, styles, technology, etc through listening to others teaching experiences. One year I did attend the district 8 meeting run by Paula Bengston, and the board meeting that followed. Other than that one experience I have been mostly focused on learning from others experiences. I have found the MCTM spring conference to be a powerful resource for me, some of the techniques I used I learned from a session at the MCTM spring
Conference.

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Anna Thompson

Current Position
Algebra, Geometry, and STEM teacher at Ely Memorial Middle and High School.

Education
Graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. I received my MS in Mathematics Education at Bemidji State University.

I started my career as a 4th grade classroom teacher, but soon realized my strength and passion was teaching mathematics. Since then I have continued my education in mathematics and taught math at the middle school, junior and senior high levels.

Goals as MCTM Officer
My most important goal is to maintain the depth and rigor in our Minnesota mathematics standards that the NCTM Principles and Standards provide.  As we travel through changes in state and federally mandated programs, these standards will keep us on a steady course of teaching mathematics through understanding, striving to bridge concrete to abstract knowledge, and finding a balance between promoting problem solving and practicing skills. Keeping this goal in mind, my job as an MCTM officer would be to further communication and networking between teachers in our region and the state.

Professional Affiliations

  • Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Involvement in MCTM and Mathematics Education
I was first welcomed as an MCTM member in 1989. Since then, I have been privileged to learn from and work with many of the great mathematics educators in our state.  I truly believe we are one of the most powerful and progressive councils of teachers of mathematics in the country.  I have served as a delegate for our district many times.  I regularly attend the Minnesota State Assessment Conference to help keep my school district informed about changes in educational legislation and MCA testing.  I have been a member of the NESC Mathematics Cohort since it was created in 2008.

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