Mathology by the Grades

Annan, Ellen
Waverly Public School, Durham District School Board, Oshawa, ON

Bell, Patty
Locke's Public School, Thames Valley District School Board, St. Thomas, ON

Di Carlantonio, Melanie
Cardinal Newman Catholic Elementary School, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Brampton, ON

Edey, Tiffany
Port Royal Public School, Toronto District School Board, Ontario

Gooley, Diana
Clearmeadow Public School, York Region District School Board, Newmarket, ON

Helvert, Carmen
A. Blair McPherson School, Edmonton Public Schools, AB

Jarvis, Lisa
Spruce Glen Public School, Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Huntsville, ON

Jones, Jennifer
Bessie Nichols School, Edmonton Public Schools, AB

Kadonaga, Karyn
Hillview Elementary School, Vernon School District #22, BC

Leech, Niki
Sullivan Elementary, Surrey School District #36, BC

McDougall, Larissa
Chiila Elementary School, Tsuu T'ina Nation, Calgary, AB

McMurtry, Shannon
Grovsnor Elementary School, Winnipeg School Division, MB

Purvis, Megan
W. Sherwood Fox Public School, Thames Valley District School Board, London, ON

Saltmarsh, Jennifer
George Webster Elementary School, Toronto District School Board, ON

Sarchet, Lora
Sullivan Elementary, Surrey School District #36, BC

Schnare, Sarah
Surrey Centre Elementary, Surrey School District #36, BC

Schultz, Sandi
Our Lady of Sorrows, Renfrew County Catholic District School Board, Petawawa, ON

Stokes, Stephanie
Westmount School, Foothills School Division, Okotoks, AB

Unruh, Monique
Father Vachon Elementary School, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, SK

Van Garderen, Amanda
AHP Matthew Elementary, Surrey School District #36, BC

Vassiliou, Annie
William Burgess Elementary School, Toronto District School Board, ON

Vigna, Chiara
St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic School, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, Hamilton, ON

White, Kendra
Virginia Park Elementary, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, St Johns, NL

Bell, Patty
Locke's Public School, Thames Valley District School Board, St. Thomas, ON

Gooley, Diana
Clearmeadow Public School, York Region District School Board, Newmarket, ON

Jarvis, Lisa
Spruce Glen Public School, Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Huntsville, ON

Jones, Jennifer
Bessie Nichols School, Edmonton Public Schools, AB

Leech, Niki
Sullivan Elementary, Surrey School District #36, BC

Saltmarsh, Jennifer
George Webster Elementary School, Toronto District School Board, ON

Sarchet, Lora
Sullivan Elementary, Surrey School District #36, BC

Van Garderen, Amanda
AHP Matthew Elementary, Surrey School District #36, BC

Watt, Kimberley
St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School, Halton Catholic District School Board, Burlington, ON

White, Kendra
Virginia Park Elementary, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, St Johns, NL

Sandra Ball has taught in the Surrey School District for over 30 years with her major focus on Primary Education, and is currently working as the Inner-City Early Learning Helping Teacher.  She believes that all children are capable learners whose strengths, interests, and passions need to be nurtured. Over the past five years, Sandra has worked alongside teachers to support ‘at promise’ students. Along with the classroom experience, she has worked with curriculum and assessment teams to develop the revised curriculum in British Columbia.

Kyla Bernard is from the Eskaosni First Nation, a Nova Scotian community with a population of more than 4000. She is the mother of 3 children and works as an Elementary Math Coach for five Mi’kmaw First Nation schools on Unama’ki. Kyla worked as an elementary grade 1 teacher for 7 years in Membertou First Nation. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Mi’kmaw Studies and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Cape Breton. Kyla has also completed a Reading Recovery training program, upgraded her teaching licence with an Elementary Mathematics Pedagogy program, and is currently enrolled in the Master of Education program. She is very passionate about math, literacy, and the Mi’kmaw language and is honoured to work with educators and First Nation Schools in Cape Breton.

Cathy Bruce has been studying teaching and learning for 25 years and is a founding faculty member of the Trent University School of Education and Professional Learning. A former teacher, Cathy brings 14 years of classroom experience to her work as Full Professor, and Dean of Education at Trent. She brings her passion for mathematics teaching and learning to her research and teaching. Cathy sees all students — from young children to teacher candidates to teachers with many years of experience — as capable of engaging with and getting excited about mathematics. Cathy is the 2012–2013 recipient of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) teaching award. She has an active Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) funded research program through which she and her research team investigate teacher and student efficacy, the effectiveness of alternative models of professional learning for teachers, the use of technology in the mathematics classroom, as well as teaching and learning in the difficult-to-learn areas of fractions and algebra. A particularly exciting area of her research relates to mathematics for young children, involving teachers as well as young students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 2, to investigate what children are capable of spatially and mathematically, given rich tasks and adequate support in an atmosphere of playful learning. Her research can be accessed at www.tmerc.ca.

Karen Campbell has worked in education in Saskatchewan for over 30 years in a range of positions, both at the school and system levels. At the school level, she has held the positions of teacher (a variety of grades from K–9), special education teacher, and teacher-librarian. At a system level, Karen worked as an Elementary Math Consultant for several years, before taking on the role as Coordinator and them Learning Superintendent.

Jennifer Carter is the District Numeracy Coordinator for Vernon School District in British Columbia. She has teaching experience across the elementary grades, including 15 years in Grades 1 to 3. Jennifer is an executive member of the British Columbia Association of Math Teachers (BCAMT), a member of British Columbia’s Provincial Numeracy Network, chairperson for the Interior Numeracy Network, and an Adjunct Professor for the University of British Columbia (UBCO). Jennifer offers a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers in the area of numeracy, with a focus on helping teachers build a better understanding of the progressions of learning for numeracy development and building curricular competencies in students through math learning.

Tara Flynn is an educator, author, and editor who has worked with Cathy Bruce in the fascinating world of mathematics education research since 2007. As Project Manager and Research Officer, Tara has worked with hundreds of dedicated and innovative educators through cycles of collaborative action research and lesson study, particularly in the areas of spatial reasoning and fractions. She has been an integral member of the Math for Young Children (M4YC) team since the project’s inception, and was both co-author and Editorial Project Manager for the Pearson resource, Taking Shape. As an editor, Tara cut her teeth as Executive Editor at Alternatives journal, and more recently has edited numerous mathematics education resources. She is the Principal Author of the recently published research-based Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) resource, Learning through Teacher Research: A Guidebook for your Action Research Journey.

Teri Foureyes-Awasis is a Plains Cree First Nation woman from Maskwacis, Alberta who is passionate about teaching and learning mathematics. She graduated from university with a minor in mathematics and taught math for 7 years at the First Nations school Ermineskin Junior Senior High School. Teri enjoyed trying to find ways to make math more fun and engaging for students, and later became a Numeracy Coach for grades K–12. Although Teri no longer works full-time in the mathematics field, she tries to promote mathematics whenever she can.

Teri would like to acknowledge and recognize a few people from her Maskwacis community who helped her with information for the activities and stories she wrote. Teri thanks Patricia Johnson and Shauna Smith for their support through the writing process. She thanks Brian Lee for sharing his knowledge of the circle and providing information passed down from the late ceremonialist Wayne Roan.  She also thanks the elderly segment and community members who helped out whenever possible.  Ay hay! 

Carole Fullerton is passionate about mathematics instruction. Carole is a teacher-leader working in K–12 classrooms to support the development of numeracy instruction across British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, the territories, and beyond. Addressing student diversity through rich questions, teaching through problem-solving, and planning around the Big Math Ideas are essential aspects of her practice. In her collaborative work, Carole strives to engage students and their teachers in thought-full investigations of what it means to DO math, learning through exploration, talk and play. Carole has authored and co-authored several teacher resource books on mathematics instruction, focused on mathematical thinking, on mastery of the facts, and on the operations. But her biggest accomplishment is her son Cameron — a confident, capable, and flexible mathematician in his own right.

Sharon Jeroski is a researcher, writer, speaker, and consultant. Her work focuses on assessment, inquiry, and educational change. She has directed a number of research and development projects including: BC Performance Standards (reading, writing, numeracy); and BC Core Competency Profiles and Resources. She has contributed to a wide range of instructional resources in mathematics and language arts including: Math Makes Sense; Literacy in Action; and Reaching Readers.

Petra Le Duc is a Math Consultant for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, currently on secondment to the Ministry of Education. She works with K–12 teachers and administrators, supporting the Renewed Math Strategy in Ontario with a particular focus on implementation and leadership. Petra has co-authored and reviewed mathematics resources for the Ministry of Education. She has been part of numerous cycles of lesson study and collaborative action research in the project Math for Young Children (M4YC). Petra is a longtime member of the Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (OAME), the Ontario Mathematics Coordinators Association(OMCA), and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics(NCTM), and has presented at a number of conferences in the area of early learning and spatial reasoning. She is a former elementary teacher who now spends considerable time working with children and educators supporting numeracy goals in response to effective teaching of mathematics. Petra teaches Mathematics Curriculum and Pedagogy Additional Qualification Courses to in-service elementary teachers where she is able to share her enthusiasm for math teaching and learning!

Keely Martin has worked for the District School Board of Niagara for 10 years as an elementary teacher and most recently as an instructional coach. She is passionate about her role as an instructional coach, supporting teachers with the development of engaging lessons that utilize research-based instruction and meet the needs of all students. As a creative and caring educator, she enjoys learning alongside her colleagues and students, using their unique abilities as mathematicians to further understand how math relates to the world around us.

Kim Mastromartino is an experienced educator from Ontario, facilitating learning at the provincial, regional, district and school levels, while working in various roles. Over the years, her passion for learning has been driven by experiences as a parent of a deaf/hard of hearing son, teacher, consultant, facilitator, faculty advisor, student achievement officer, and an instructor and writer for Teacher Additional Qualification courses.

Supporting students, teachers, principals, and system leaders in their learning has been at the heart of Kim’s partnerships in collaboration.

Matthew Oldridge is a father, thinker, mathematics educator, and TEDx speaker with 15 years of K–12 mathematics teaching, consulting, and presenting experience. Most recently, he has spent 3 years as a Resource Teacher of Effective Mathematics for the Peel District School Board, helping to implement the board-wide mathematics strategy EngageMath.

Ann Pigeon has been an educator for 25 years. For the last several years, she has worked as a Learning Coordinator for Mathematics with the Thames Valley District School Board. She has taught in the primary and junior divisions and in her role as Learning Coordinator for Mathematics, Ann has been in countless mathematics classrooms working with dedicated teachers through collaborative inquiry. Ann is currently on secondment to the Ministry of Education, supporting district school boards in their implementation of the Renewed Math Strategy in Ontario.

Ann completed her Master of Education at the University of Western Ontario, where she became interested in part-whole relationships and the development of students’ understanding of the operations. She teaches mathematics at Western University’s Faculty of Education where she shares her passion for teaching and learning mathematics with teacher candidates. In 2016, Ann was honoured to receive the Ontario Mathematics Coordinators Association (OMCA) Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mathematics Education. Ann is a proud mother of two amazing boys.

Jonathan So is a proud teacher for the Peel District School Board in Ontario. He has taught grades 2–5 and is currently teaching Grade 6 at Ray Lawson Public School, where he is also a lead instructional technology and math coach. Jonathan always looks to promote creativity and exploration in his family, students, and colleagues. He completed his Masters of Education, focusing on how his questions impacted students’ learning of part-whole relationships in fractions. Jonathan’s interests lie in math, assessment, and technology and he is passionate about inquiry and the endless possibilities it has for students. He is also a Google Certified Teacher (Level 2), keynote presenter, and workshopper. Jonathan is a proud parent of 3 wonderful young children.

Pam Spooner is of the Gitxsan nation (Frog clan) from Hazelton, British Columbia. She started a Masters in First Nations Studies in Prince George. After giving birth to twins, she successfully pursued a Masters in Elementary Mathematics Curriculum. She is the mother of 5 beautiful children.

After graduating, she held the position of secondary math teacher for 14 years. She then moved on to become a math support teacher before moving to the administration side. She was vice-principal at Prince George Secondary School and is currently principal at Nusdeh Yoh Elementary, an Aboriginal Choice School in Prince George.

Erik Teather has had the opportunity to work in Ontario elementary math education for close to 20 years. His various roles have included classroom teacher, math coach, and consultant.  He continues to be excited about working with students and educators as they look for the mathematics in their world in ways that help them to reason and make sense of the mathematics they are learning.

Kimberley Tyssen is a primary educator for the Vernon, British Columbia School District. As a grade one teacher for over 10 years, teaching mathematics to enthusiastic six-year-old children is her favourite part of the school day. She believes that all children can feel successful and have fun learning math. Kim lives in Vernon with her husband and their two energetic boys.

Lyn Vause is an educator, author, and researcher. During her career, she has participated in a unique set of educational opportunities including obtaining a doctoral degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), conducting large- and small-scale professional development projects with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA), the Ontario Ministry of Education, the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, the Ontario Teachers Federation (OTF), UNICEF, and the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). Lyn was a course director and instructor for York University’s Consecutive Bachelor of Education program and a course instructor for Lakehead University‘s Concurrent Bachelor of Education program, as well as an Additional Qualification Course writer and instructor for numerous courses for the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association. She is the recipient of the 2016 Ontario English Catholic Teachers Lifetime Achievement award, as well as the 2016 Ontario Association for Mathematics Educator Lifetime Membership Award. In all of these positions, her main personal and professional focus has been on the improvement of teaching and learning in mathematics in the primary and junior grades.

Wendy Weight has worked in education in Manitoba for over 40 years as a classroom teacher, support services teacher, and as an Early Years divisional consultant focused on improving literacy and numeracy achievement in grades K–4. She has facilitated a wide variety of Early Years numeracy workshops including First Steps in Math Professional Development. Wendy has a strong belief that when teachers understand the conceptual ideas behind the mathematics, can observe and probe for what students know, and have a repertoire of robust learning activities, student learning in mathematics will strengthen dramatically.

Amy Zorzetto has been teaching with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board since 1998, where she has taught grades in the Primary, Junior, and Intermediate Divisions. Amy has held other positions for the school board, including Math Facilitator. She was an Elementary Program Consultant for 4 years prior to her return to the classroom in 2015. Amy’s love for math and the excitement she gets from seeing students engaged in learning mathematics inspires her every day!