Kentucky Teacher

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

Krista Chatham reviews a worksheet with her 4th-grade class about how to compare numbers at Cartmell Elementary School (Carroll County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Aug. 21, 2012

Like many adults, Tim Sears, elementary mathematics consultant for the Kentucky Department of Education, was taught the phrase “Don’t ask why, just invert and multiply,” when he was a student learning about dividing fractions.

But according to the Kentucky Core Academic Standards for mathematics, students now must ask why. They also must learn how dividing fractions connects to other content areas and real world applications.

“We were taught procedural rules like that,” Sears said. “The standards now say build more conceptual learning through visual models, drawings and developing fraction number sense. We’re trying to connect fractions to kids’ everyday life and other content areas, especially science.”

Fractions has been a hot topic with state mathematics teachers this summer according to Sears, who facilitated several leadership network meetings prior to the start of the 2012-13 school year, and Seth Hunter, mathematics specialist with the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC) and president of the Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics (KCTM). Read the full story

By Matthew Tungate
matthew.tungate@education.ky.gov

Joshua Underwood uses examples from a student's life, like a recent driving test, to relate scientific methods before an experiment in his Introduction to Chemistry and Physics class at Deming School (Roberston County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Aug. 17, 2012

Joshua Underwood’s physical science classroom at Deming High School (Robertson County) looks more like the 12-year veteran teacher is starting a junkyard than teaching astronomy or physics thanks to all the broken VCRs, hair dryers and other electronics.

“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” Underwood said, who has helped students create hovercrafts out of old hairdryer motors.

With school budgets tight, he looks at what people are throwing out, “because you don’t have to have a large budget to have the kids doing science and doing these activities that will get them excited about doing science.”

Higdon’s teaching efforts lead him to be selected as one of two Kentucky teachers to receive the prestigious 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching this year.

Andrea Underwood, an 8th-grade mathematics and Algebra I teacher at East Oldham Middle School (Oldham County), also received the award. Read the full story

Kentucky tied for fifth place nationwide in the improvement of its students’ performance in assessments of reading, mathematics and science since 1992,  according to a report from Harvard University,

The report, Achievement Growth: International and U.S. State Trends in Student Performance, was produced by Harvard’s Program on Education Policy and Governance and presented in Education Next, the program’s journal. It was designed to determine the extent of the United States’ progress toward closure of the international education gap and offers estimates of gains from 1995 to 2009 for the U.S. and 48 other countries. The report also looked at changes in student performance in 41 states between 1992 and 2011 and compares states’ rates of improvement, among other items.

Based on results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 4th- and 8th-grade reading, mathematics and science, Kentucky was noted as having a 2.7 percent gain (as an average of the standard deviation) from 1992 to 2011. This ranked the state fifth among 41 states that participated in NAEP during the same time period. Read the full story

Two Kentucky teachers were among 97 mathematics and science educators recently chosen to receive the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The Kentucky recipients are: Andrea Higdon, a mathematics teacher from Crestwood, Ky., and Joshua Underwood, a science teacher from Mt. Olivet, Ky.

All of the chosen educators will receive their awards in Washington, DC later this month.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates between teachers teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades.

Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also are invited Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and the Administration.

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

Math intervention specialist Suzanne Maynard works on a number line with kindergarten students Makylie Morris and Makenna Fletcher at Southside Elementary School (Pike County). Photo by Amy Wallot, April 10, 2012

Southside Elementary School (Pike County) Principal Jill Maynard has been at her school since it first opened its doors 15 years ago. In that time, she’s seen many changes. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the family feel of the school.

“We are blessed to have such a unique family,” said Maynard, who is finishing up her first year as the school’s principal. “Our administration, faculty and staff believe we must create an atmosphere of mutual respect where students and teachers are involved in the learning process. We believe that all students will succeed, and we work diligently each day to accomplish this success.”

Southside Elementary was rewarded for its diligent work when the school was named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School along with four other Kentucky public schools.

Suzanne Maynard (no relation) has been at Southside Elementary since the school opened. She currently serves as the school’s mathematics intervention teacher, focusing on K-3 mathematics. She said another constant has been academic success.

“We have always maintained high standardized test scores,” Suzanne Maynard said. “Teachers have clear learning targets with high expectations for all students.” Read the full story

The fifth Annual “Soar to New Heights: A STEM-ulating Adventure” summer camp for gifted and talented learners will be June 18-29 at Eastern Kentucky University.

This summer’s camp will offer students an opportunity to explore current topics in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health in a state-of-the-art instructional and research facility.

The courses, collaboratively designed and implemented by Eastern Kentucky University STEM-H faculty and gifted/talented graduate students, are targeted to students entering grades 4-6 in the fall. The half-day program runs from 8 a.m. to noon daily with a tuition cost of $65 per student.

A brochure detailing the class offerings as well as special events for parents and students will be available soon. For more information, contact Debra Sparks.

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

Johnny Belcher shakes hands with Education Commissioner Terry Holliday after being named the newest recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award during a surprise ceremony at Pikeville High School (Pikeville Ind.). Belcher is a mathematics and physics teacher at the school. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 10, 2012

Johnny Belcher isn’t one for the lunchroom.

The Pikeville High School (Pikeville Independent) calculus and physics teacher routinely takes his lunch tray back to his classroom. Typically, he’s followed by a handful of students who want some extra tutoring.

“That’s every day,” Principal Michael Rowe said. “He says ‘hi’ to me in the lunchroom, and then he’s back in his classroom tutoring.”

Superintendent Jerry Green has witnessed the same thing. “Most afternoons I’m over (at the high school), I see him hanging around until about 6:30 or 7 p.m. at night helping students,” Green said. “He’ll have former students call from college, and he helps them, too.”

That commitment to his students is just one of many reasons Belcher was awarded the Milken Family Foundation National Educator award last week. The award comes with an unrestricted $25,000 financial award. Belcher is the lone Kentucky recipient this year.

In his 15th year of teaching, all at Pikeville High, Belcher serves as the department chair and instructional supervisor in mathematics for grades 7-12. He also is a member of the Mathematics Leadership Network (MLSN) and has contributed to the development of end-of-course exams in geometry.

“The MLSN and my work with end-of-course exams have exposed me to many other educators,” Belcher said. “In this regard these two professional development activities have been invaluable. I learn most from being in the classroom and secondly from others’ experiences and ideas.”

His ability to gauge where his students are academically is well known.

“He’s known for his ability to meet kids where they are at,” Rowe said. “He’s a strong believer that there are multiple ways to solve a problem. His philosophy in the classroom is reaching each kid individually and making sure each one gets to where they need to be.”

“He uses instructional techniques that address multiple learning styles, and he allows students to continue to work until they master concepts,” added teacher Rebecca King, who has taught at Pikeville High since 2004 and was a Milken recipient in 2003 while teaching at the former Whitesburg High School in Letcher County. “Mr. Belcher holds both himself and his students to a high standard.”

Belcher said he is guided by what his students will have retained from his class years from now.

“Be a model for learning is my main goal every day,” he said. “I want my students to understand it’s okay to not know something. What’s not okay is to quit there. I just keep trying to give that message over and over again.

“There are times I will not even prep myself for a concept so they can see some of the metacognitive thoughts that go on,” Belcher added. “They know it’s okay not to know at times. How can I piece this together, make a mystery not a mystery? With learning I try my very best to take away the excuses.”

Belcher said his teaching style has evolved in his 15 years at Pikeville High, thanks in part to formative assessment.

“That’s one of the biggest things I have changed in my teaching,” he said. “Adding the option for students to retest has a little bit of standards-based slant to it. It’s not full force standards-based grading, but it’s all about students learning the material regardless of what it takes to get there.

“Math is something students tend to struggle with. It can be a real confidence-shaker,” he added. “So the idea of formative assessment and the option of retesting and things like that kind of evolved for me in the classroom. In terms of the tutoring and spending time with kids in the classroom, I’ve always tried to do that. But being a math teacher, it’s important to keep the students’ confidence in mind. Sometimes that’s forgotten, but I think I’ve gotten better about remembering that.”

Belcher said, depending on the topic, he has found success in returning tests to the students with the answers worked out. It then becomes the students’ job to dig further into the problems and earn partial credit by giving feedback that shows they understand the concepts.

“They actually kind of barter for that with me individually,” he said. “It’s all about pushing them to the next level.”

That’s something Belcher hopes for himself, too.

“The one thing about an award like this is it’s bittersweet,” Belcher said. “Every teacher deserves such recognition. We’re not working toward awards like this; we are working toward our students. It is really a wonderful thing though to be recognized. It helps to fuel your next moves.”

MORE INFO…
Johnny Belcher, johnny.belcher@pikeville.kyschools.us, (606) 432-0185

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

Craig Scharf talks with his STEM Academy students Josh Lindsey and Vaughn Reed about entering the Team America Rocketry Challenge at Muhlenberg County High School. Photo by Amy Wallot, Jan. 6, 2012

Craig Scharf, who taught college classes prior to coming to Muhlenberg County High School, could always spot the students who were prepared for his classes from the ones who weren’t.

“I could tell the kids who had a good background in research and critical thinking from the ones who hadn’t,” said Scharf, who has been at the recently consolidated Muhlenberg County High for 10 years. “I come from a research background, and I honestly believe students who think for themselves and can master independent research will be best prepared for college.”

With that in mind, Scharf and his colleagues at Muhlenberg County High launched an effort this school year that aims to help students better prepare for college by taking a rigorous series of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classes.

The STEM Academy, as it is called, is an outgrowth of a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) biomedical science program the school started in 2009. The biomedical science program was such a hit with students that administrators decided to form an entire STEM Academy.

“The academy was brought on board to increase the rigor of our course offerings, provide in-depth training for our instructors and put real-world applications and technology in the hands of our students,” said Principal Matt Perkins. Read the full story

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching recognize outstanding K-12 teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Since 1983, more than 4,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education.

Award winners receive a citation signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, and gifts from a broad range of donors.
The 2012 awards honor mathematics and science teachers working in grades K-6. To self-nominate or to nominate another teacher, go to http://www.paemst.org/.

Any full-time K-6 teacher who teaches science as part of the instructional day may be nominated. The deadline for nominations is April 1, and applications must be completed by May 1.

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

Gina Benham helps 7th-grade student John Monson with a decimal problem during her mathematics class at Woodland Elementary School (Kenton County).

Woodland Middle School (Kenton County) teacher Gina Benham has taught mathematics for four years, but when it comes to stocks and investing she is just like any one of her 7^th graders.

“I love an opportunity to learn alongside my students,” said Benham, whose class began involvement with a program in October that ties investing to a real-world mathematic curriculum. “Value is added to this experience when the kids realize they are learning something some adults know little about.”

All 7th-grade classrooms at Woodland Middle and Turkey Foot Middle School (Kenton County) have been participating in the “Investing in Students, Making Math Count” initiative. Following the October kickoff, the students played the PortfoliosInvestment Simulation Game with volunteers from Fidelity Investments to get a feel for the game.

The volunteers meet with students at both schools on a monthly basis, using investment and finance as a context to address concepts in the 7th-grade mathematics curriculum, according to Jennifer Barrett, Kenton County school district middle and high school mathematics consultant. Read the full story