The University of Arizona: HEMS-HS – Classroom Makeover: From Polite Guests to Active Participants

Have you been striving to increase student engagement for all students? Would you like your students to do more thinking and less mimicking? Do you want your students to become lifelong problem solvers? In this seminar we will collaboratively experience how to get even the most reluctant learners to successfully participate in your High School mathematics classroom. We will use Peter Lilijedhal’s set of practices in Building Thinking Classrooms to transform our classrooms. These easy to follow steps will create an environment that is focused on collaboration and student-centered learning where thinking is the norm and student learning is the goal.

Presenter: Kristi Peterson is in her 30th year in secondary math education. The first 9 years of her career she taught in the small rural community of Kearny, AZ and then transferred to Gilbert Public Schools. She has taught all courses from Algebra 1 to Calculus. For 6 years she was the Secondary Mathematics Coordinator where she supported math curriculum, instruction and assessment for all 7-12 math classrooms in the district.  Her passion for helping students succeed through student centered math instruction has led her back to the classroom.  Last year she returned to teaching at Mesquite High School where she had a chance to implement the many new strategies she learned, and looks forward to making more improvements this year. Mrs. Peterson was honored to be a finalist for the PAEMST award last year.

This is a two-part series focused on High School Mathematics that earn participants professional development certificates for 9 hours.  $50 stipends will only be provided to the first 25 teachers from Arizona schools who participate in both sessions due to the generosity of Lee and Arthur Herbst. Please only register if you can attend both sessions.

If you are joining us virtually, there are minimum requirement to ensure your full participation: You must use a laptop or desktop (NOT a phone or tablet) that will allow you to access the internet, join the Zoom meeting, and access workshop materials (e.g., Google slides, Jamboards). In Zoom, you must have access to your microphone, video camera, and chat box. If you need assistance with the required technology, we can provide a pre-session training.

All Participants attending both sessions in person will also get a copy of Peter Liljedahl’s book, Building Thinking Classrooms.