As adults, we often overlook how challenging middle school can be for young learners; they often experience a great deal of confusion and frustration as they adjust to new academic demands. Often compounding their sense of exasperation is the fact that their brains are developing rapidly and their thought patterns are transitioning from concrete to abstract concepts and ideas. The goal of the Tisbury School is to support those children who struggle with Math and guide them onto the path of success by offering resource and enrichment opportunities above and beyond those offered in the traditional classroom setting.

A designated half-hour resource block has been set aside for students to be pulled for small group instruction focusing on their individual needs. Students are selected to participate based on teacher recommendations, as well as assessment scores in MCAS and GMADE. I work closely with the math team to determine and adjust support given as the math concepts change over the course of the year. The amount of time I spend with each student varies; students will be seen on an as-needed basis. Students, who participate, will not miss any of their Unified Arts or regular academic classes.

I also collaborate with the K-4 math specialist weekly, to discuss math as it relates to students, recent research, supplementary programs, assessments, as well as try to facilitate a smooth transition for students into the middle school. IXL and Mathcounts are recent programs added to the middle school curriculum used for practice, review, reinforcement, enrichment, acceleration and support. My main efforts as a math specialist is to help all students embrace math and feel more confident in their abilities, for everyone is capable.