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Epson PowerLite LCD Projector, $999.95, 0.00% raised
Epson PowerLite LCD Projector
Single Unit Why I need this:
To clearly project the images from the computer when using software such as geometer's sketchpad and TI Connect during the classroom lessons. When this projector is connected to my computer and mounted somewhere out of the way students will have a clear view of the daily lesson and will not have to deal with the issue of an overhead projector arm being in their view.
Quantity: 1 Price: $999.95

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Hugh M Cummings High School
Hometown:
Frewsburg, NY
Class Information:
Room Number: 307
Students per Class: Approx. 73 Total
Class Description:
I teach Geometry, Pre-Calculus Honors and AP Calculus to a diverse group of students in an at-risk school district.
Position:
Mathematics Teacher
Needs:
Any technology related manipulatives for the classroom that can be used to help students make more real life connections to the mathematics we are discussing as well as expose students to new technologies that can better prepare them as 21st century students.
My Philosophy:
When are we ever going to use this in real life? We often hear such statements from students, and even adults. Why do I need the quadratic formula when I grow up? It is so important to emphasize that mathematics is used every single day in a number of careers and when students ask, “When will we ever use this,” it is a teacher’s duty to answer. Also, mathematics is a subject in which there is no mystery. By no mystery I am implying that there is a reason for everything done in mathematics. Students will become more open to learning mathematics if they see that there is no mystery. In my classroom, students will be encouraged to ask “why?” If I do not have the answer available right away, it is my obligation to research the answers for them. •An effective teacher knows how to manage and organize a classroom. Classroommanagement should not be the entire component of a class period. A disruption should be dealt with immediately and quietly. At the secondary level it is not always necessary to post the rules of the classroom, but it is necessary that the students are aware of such rules. One major rule that I believe in is respecting yourself, others and your school. Rewards and punishment play a major role as regards to classroom management. Rewarding students for showing effort in mathematics will help those students continue to try hard. On the other hand, punishments should be logical. Students tend to rebel when the consequences do not make sense. Logical consequences teach students to choose from acceptable and unacceptable behavior. I also believe that it is important to avoid consequences that are related to the academic grade. •An active learning environment brings about the most effective learning I believe in having an open classroom in which the environment is active, and no minute goes unused. Active learning is a process in which learners are actively engaged during the learning process. It has been suggested that students who actively engage with the material are more likely to recall information later and be able to use that information in different contexts (Bruner, 1961). Some lessons will involve guided notes with multiple representations while other lessons will deal with guided investigations in which students will investigate topics and create their own conjectures. Group discussion will lead into either proving or disproving students’ conjectures created during investigation. Such investigative projects may take advantage of the technology available. Technology is a major instructional tool that should be applied to the classroom. I will take full advantage of any technology available to my classroom. I have many lessons in which classroom sets of graphing calculators and geometer’s sketchpad will navigate students into a better understanding of the material being presented. •Teachers have an obligation to work towards self improvement Teachershave a duty to further their professional development. I have worked very hard as an undergraduate and graduate student to learn the educational research and the upper level mathematics and it is still my obligation to work just as hard to continue learning. As I begin teaching and putting my style to the test, I will find that certain aspects I thought were fool-proof that will need to change. Also, technology is going to continue to grow at a rapid rate, and new tools will be available. I feel it is important that I learn about these new tools and use them to help the students learn and understand math better. It is also my obligation to stay informed about new educational strides that are happening. With the ability to manage and organize a classroom, use technology and create an active learning environment, and the periodic self-reflection to promote self improvement; teachers will maximize their ability to focus on the important aspects of teaching. Teachers can then have the ability to maximize students learning and students’ skill in retaining the facts necessary to assemble their mathematical knowledge.
Personal Information:
About Me:
I believe life is the sum result of all the choices you make. We make many decisions ranging from what to have for dinner to where to apply to college. Some decisions make a bigger impact on our lives, but all of those decisions shape who we are. I went to high school in small town, known as Frewsburg, home of the Bears, located in Western New York. I haven’t been to a high school prom in years but I still managed to hop into a prom dress and head to my summer job at the College Club in the Chautauqua Institution for a prom theme night. I will also chaperone any high school dance, and challenge the students to beat me at the electric slide. I attended only one battle of the classes my senior year of high school, but I’ve battled against other mathematicians in Pi Day competitions, smadness and my favorite game of 24. If you are kicking around the campus at Fredonia, you can find my name on the Pi Day cup. I exceled in subjects such as math and art while I struggled with English and science courses. I continued to work hard in mathematics courses and was recently inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honor society at SUNY Fredonia. Together, the choice to be involved during my high school years at Frewsburg and my continuation of keeping busy has molded me into the person I am today. Everyday we make choices that could be as small as choosing what to do on a Saturday afternoon, or where to apply for a teaching position. The results of those choices, small or large, add up to the life we live.
College and Degrees:
I graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelor's degree in May 2007. My degree was in Secondary Mathematics Education grades 7-12. I went on immediately to obtain my Master's degree in Mathematics Education from the same university in August 2008.
Activities:
I am involved in playing tennis for recreation and I enjoy walking a few times a week at the local park. I enjoy sports from the sidelines now whether it be cheering on the Fredonia State Men’s Basketball team or helping my father coach the Frewsburg Girls Little League team. I am extremely passionate about mathematics and have 2 of my own paintings hanging in my house. I take art courses periodically and enjoy the creative aspect of scrapbooking and photography. Skiing is a major activity in my family and I can get some great pointers from my Nana who instructs at Holiday Valley. Duringthe summer I enjoy camping and hiking. Alleghany has beautiful trails and cabins. It is even nice to rent the cabins in the winter with my family for some midnight sledding during New Years Eve.
Favorite Books:
Digital Fortress - Dan Brown The Twilight Saga - Stephanie Myer The Davinci Code - Dan Brown The Shining - Steven King
Favorite Quotes:
"Teach the students you have, not the ones you wish you had." -- James McKenna
Why Do I Teach?:
I am very passionate about mathematics and believe that as technology is becoming more available to teachers that I can help differentiate instruction to diverse learners to better create a more concrete connection between mathematics and 'real life'.
Percent of Students are:
     White/Caucasian : 11 %
     Hispanic: 34 %
     African American: 52 %