From the Southwest Corner

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“From the Southwest Corner”

It’s hard to believe this is my last article as Region 2 director for southwest MCTM.  A lot has happened since I took on the role (during COVID19); we have regained and sustained our strive to keep improving as math educators, improving our trade, moving forward to different districts, or learning how what we did was effective or not.

I am so excited coming out of the book study we just held, after Dr. Pamela Seda’s Choosing to See, with Kyndall Brown; it made me reflect if I have been using the ICUCARE framework, and what can I do to “Be Better,” as one of my colleagues at Worthington High School would say.

I am relearning several things I remember seeing in my curriculum and instruction classes, and it refires my imagination to see those concepts again.  Without giving too much away, perhaps you want to consider starting the journey of reflection as well.  Have you developed a self-awareness to measure your own ideas?  How much do you really know about your students?  This one really got to me, as I tried different “recipes” of engagement and found that some students came to life with the right moment, environment, or opportunity.

You may also find that students are NOT accustomed to being asked to be an expert, or to affirm their intelligence or knowledge of any of the domains you plan to cover.  If and when you can do this, they take pride in ownership and even be a “teacher” in their own small group.  I caution you to not overly celebrate this (which seems contrary), but in my experience with certain students, they shy once the public knows their attributes.  But that’s okay; what matters is that THEY know that YOU know.

One of the other parts of Dr. Seda’s framework affirmed what I have felt about math expectations; don’t settle, expect more!  Believe it or not, if you have won your students’ respect, then they will work harder.  This has been most rewarding for me as I have gotten used to a new district, while being region director, AND implementing new ideas!

That was just a sample.  It’s not about me; I do not consider myself something special, other than I wish to continue to strive to be better.  Are you ready for that journey?  Come to Spring Conference to feel that explosive growth, rub shoulders with colleagues, and work with mentors not yet met.

Cory Sheldahl, MS, Ed. Tech.

Region 2 Director, Membership committee chair