Jennifer Haar Secondary Math Teacher

1. Jennifer HaarSecondary Math Teacher Bringing technology and business experience into the classroom to help students make great strides toward their future. Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift rather than a hard duty. Albert Einstein

2. I teach math for understanding. I design learning activities, classroom interactions, and assessments to help students understand math rather than just memorize equations. Teaching Philosophy I make math accessible to all students by using a variety of teaching methods to engage all students in the learning process. • I make math relevant by bringing the real-world into the classroom. I include real-world applications, interactions with professionals, math history studies, and current technologies in classroom activities. • I prepare my students for the workplace by providing them opportunities to practice technical communication and team interactions. Working in isolation is not a reality, and I equip students with skills to interact effectively.

3. Classroom Environment • Community of learners with a common goal of improving math skills relevant to future education and to life • Environment welcoming of mistakes as proof of effort and as opportunities for learning. • Course policies and classroom rules clearly defined in the syllabus and consistently enforced. • Each class member respected. Make your mistakes work for you by learning from them. Donald Trump

4. Planning and Preparation Unit plans • Created using Backward Design by Wiggins and McTighe • Include a variety of learning and assessment opportunities • Lesson plans • Based on state educational standards • Include clearly stated objectives • Lectures created using Powerpoint • Guided notes with practice problems Meticulous planning will enable everything a man does to appear spontaneous. Mark Caine

5. Instruction Strategies Incorporate a variety of instructional strategies to engage students with variety of learning styles. • Technology tools • Geometer’s Sketchpad • Excel • Youtube videos • Computer applets • Graphing calculators • Modeled problem solving • Group activities • Hands-on explorations • Writing prompts • Guided notes From the very beginning of his education, the child should experience the joy of discovery. - Alfred North Whitehead

6. Assessment Strategies • The objective of good teaching is not content coverage, but rather student learning. To ensure student learning, teachers must check often for understanding and modify their teaching approach to address students’ needs. • Formative • Observation • Problems at the board • Hand signals • Exit slips • Homework • Summative • Quizzes • Performance Assessments • Tests ... life is not a multiple choice test, it's an open-book essay exam. - Alan Blinder

7. Professionalism • For my own development and to serve as an example to my students, I will continue as a student of teaching, math, and life. My professional development plans include the following: • Complete Master of Science of Instruction • Join NCTM • Be organized, clear, and concise in interactions with students and parents • Maintain a journal of my teaching experiences • Develop relationship with mentor teacher • Meet regularly with other math teachers • Continue to learn new technology and incorporate into the classroom Be observing constantly. Stay open minded. Be eager to learn and improve. – John Wooden

8. Credentials • Post-Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate (in progress) • Drexel University • B.S. in Chemical Engineering • Colorado School of Mines • 8 years working as chemical engineer for Dupont • Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate • expected Spring 2013 • Available on Request Resume Recommendations Praxis Test Scores Security Clearances The teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil to learn is hammering on cold iron - Horace Mann