Hello and Welcome to My Digital Portfolio!
Teaching Algebra almost a decade to 8th grade students in Evanston, IL, I have played a critical role in my students' mathematical journey. I have witnessed students entering 8th grade math either believing that they are capable of learning mathematics or thinking they cannot--and my students who begin the school year thinking math is not for them soon realize they are capable of so much more than they think!
My goal as their educator has always been to help students see themselves as capable of doing mathematics, building their self-confidence and helping them develop a growth mindset where they can ask critical questions and self-advocate to master new concepts. We discuss about the learning pit frequently in our class & remind ourselves that part of the process of learning requires us to experience discomfort since we are learning new material. We also recognize that choosing practice problems based on level of understanding allows us to get better as well as dive deeper.
Throughout my years teaching, I have witnessed how students can be engaged in meaningful mathematics through multiple representations, thought provoking questions, a welcoming learning environment where students feel free to self-advocate, and relevant applications--I have built so much joy with students as we connect art and mathematics with a STEM focus.
I value patience, determination, perseverance, and hard work, which will help motivate me in finding ways to facilitate critical thinking and creativity when students explore mathematical concepts. And with the incorporation of appropriate use of technology, I believe students can greatly benefit by unpacking concepts in a more concrete way.
Any questions, comments, or concerns?
Please contact me at: [email protected]
"Just as music comes alive in the performance of it, the same is true of mathematics. The symbols on the page have no more to do with mathematics than the notes on a page of music. They simply represent the experience."
-Mathematics: The Science of Patterns by Keith Devlin.
© 2013 Jennifer Dao | Last Updated: February 2022