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Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Secondary Math
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Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Secondary Math
Five to Thrive [series]



March 2022 | 184 pages | Corwin

Let’s face it, teaching secondary math can be hard. So much about how we teach math today may look and feel different from how we learned it. Teaching math in a student-centered way changes the role of the teacher from one who traditionally “delivers knowledge” to one who fosters thinking. Most importantly, we must ensure our practice gives each and every student the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve at high levels, while providing opportunities to develop their agency and authority in the classroom which results in a positive math identity.

Whether you are a brand new teacher or a veteran, if you find teaching math to be quite the challenge, this is the guide you want by your side. Designed for just-in-time learning and support, this practical resource gives you brief, actionable answers to your most pressing questions about teaching secondary math. Written by four experienced math educators representing diverse experiences, these authors offer the practical advice they wish they received years ago, from lessons they've learned over decades of practice, research, coaching, and through collaborating with teams, teachers and colleagues—especially new teachers—every day.

Questions and answers are organized into five areas of effort that will help you most thrive in your secondary math classroom: 

  1. How do I build a positive math community?
  2. How do I structure, organize, and manage my math class?
  3. How do I engage my students in math?
  4. How do I help my students talk about math?
  5. How do I know what my students know and move them forward?

Woven throughout, you'll find helpful sidebar notes on fostering identity and agency; access and equity; teaching in different settings; and invaluable resources for deeper learning. The final question—Where do I go from here?— offers guidance for growing your practice over time. Strive to become the best math educator you can be; your students are counting on it!  What will be your first step on the journey?

This book is incredibly helpful to understand key ideas and practices for new international teachers. The book gives a very efficient and easy-to understand overview of critical questions a teacher can have while teaching high school mathematics. As a mathematics educator, I would definitely recommend this book to my senior mathematics teachers, reading and reflecting on the questions in the book will support their readiness and transition into being a teacher.

Zuhal Yilmaz
Graduate School of Education
Riverside, CA

Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Secondary Math employs a strengths-based approach to promote high-quality secondary mathematics teaching. The authors draw from a wealth of experiences to offer practitioners activities and resources to engage students in the mathematics teaching and learning dynamic. This book is an invaluable resource for advancing accessible approaches to bolster student agency in mathematics classrooms.

Christopher C. Jett
University of West Georgia,
Carrollton, GA

Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Secondary Math provides guidance to middle and high school teachers who are trying to change the nature of the way math is taught and learned in their classrooms. From how to build a classroom community to how to assess and advance student learning, the five key questions focus on essential elements required to create an environment in which each and every student can flourish. The practical advice provided reflects the cumulative experience and wisdom of the author team and is sure to resonate with teachers.

Margaret (Peg) S. Smith
Pittsburg, PA

Teaching is complex! This book helps break that complexity into manageable approaches. As someone who has been leading professional development for over 20 years, this book helped me consider new and important ways to think about common questions and dilemmas teachers encounter every day. If your focus is on developing a more equitable classroom then this book is for you!

Jen Mossgrove
Knowles Teacher Initiative
Moorestown, NJ

This book does an excellent job formalizing a comprehensive approach to creating an environment in the mathematics classrooms that promotes equity, access, and a voice to all learners. I highly recommend this book to all mathematics teachers— beginning and experienced—and teacher educators, as it provides a blueprint for effective mathematics instruction.

Nadia Monrose Mills
University of the Virgin Islands
St. Thomas, VI
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Frederick L. Dillon

Frederick L. Dillon is an author and national mathematics curriculum and professional learning consultant based near Cleveland, Ohio. He is a retired teacher with 35 years of classroom experience, having taught grades 7 through college. Fred is a frequent speaker at national, state, and local conferences and institutes. He is active at the local, state, and national level in professional organizations, including serving on the board of directors for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Fred was a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching and the Christopherson-Fawcett Award... More About Author

Ayanna D. Perry

Ayanna Perry, PhD, is an Associate Director for the Teaching Fellows Program at the Knowles Teacher Initiative. She has been working in education for over 15 years. She taught high school math courses, as well as college level math education courses. In addition to her work as a teacher, she’s also been working as a teacher mentor and coach for high school science and math teachers. She’s published a number of blogs on issues of equity on the Knowles Teacher Initiative website and articles on technology use in math and on equity in math classes in The Mathematics Teacher- including 7 Features of equitable classroom spaces from her... More About Author

Andrea Negrete Cheng

Andrea Negrete Cheng is a 9-12 math teacher in Union City, California. She has also taught in Oakland at a high school for recently arrived immigrants. Andrea’s passion for teaching is deeply rooted in her family experience and community. Her parents emigrated from Mexico and “served as strong, hard-working role models making [her] appreciate, value, and pursue education to [her] fullest capacity.” Andrea earned a Bachelor’s in mathematics, teaching credential and Master’s in math education from the University of California, Berkeley. She has presented at Teachers for Social Justice Conference on “Preparing students for college-ready... More About Author

Jennifer Outzs

Jennifer Outzs has taught for 32 years as a middle school math teacher in both private and public schools in Ohio and Florida. Jennifer is currently serving on the Board of Directors for NCTM and was previously on staff at the PCMI (Park City Mathematics Institute) Teacher Leadership Program. She has worked as a facilitator for NCTM’s Effective Teaching with Principles to Actions Institutes, served on program committees for NCTM annual and regional conferences, worked as a mathematics review panelist for College Board, and has presented at local, state, and national conferences. More About Author

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ISBN: 9781071870792
$39.95

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