Empowering Math Minds: Columbus Educators Unite for Equity and Excellence in the Classroom
Source:https://www.ccsoh.us/
Loretta Jennings, a fifth-grade math teacher with 22 years of experience, gained new insights on inclusive math education at the “Math Equity: Pursuing Excellence in Math Education” symposium held on August 13. The event, attended by Columbus City Schools (CCS) educators, focused on enhancing math instruction through diverse teaching strategies to better engage students from varied backgrounds and skill levels.
Dr. Angela Chapman, CCS Superintendent/CEO, emphasized the belief that all students are capable of learning math and bring unique abilities to the classroom. The symposium aimed to support the Columbus Board of Education’s goal of increasing seventh-grade math proficiency from 14.7% to 23.45% by June 2028. The professional development event specifically targeted fourth through seventh-grade teachers to align with this objective.
During the morning sessions of a recent educational event, participants were organized into regional groups to rethink methods for teaching decimals and fractions. In the afternoon, administrators discussed broad curriculum changes, while educators concentrated on grade-specific strategies. These updates aim to align the curriculum with students’ learning progress and the Ohio State Test (OST) blueprint. Director Joseph Hernan noted that the changes are designed to improve students’ understanding of math, enhance their assessment performance, and help them apply mathematical concepts in daily life.
Kevin Jackson, assistant principal at Woodward Park Middle School, emphasized the importance of aligning math instruction from elementary through middle school. He highlighted how the professional development event underscored the role of middle school math as a foundation for high school and helped connect it with elementary math education.
Loretta Jennings, a fifth-grade teacher, appreciated the focus on real-world applications and plans to integrate this approach into her classroom. She believes that teaching math should prepare students for life beyond tests.
Director Joseph Hernan aimed for teachers to leave the symposium with new strategies, a clear understanding of curriculum changes, and confidence in their ability to foster a supportive learning environment where all students can succeed in mathematics.
Image Source: https://www.ccsoh.us/
