Name: Delora Washington
Bio: I am a high school math and french teacher in the Chicago Public Schools system. I am also the math department chair at Corliss Early College STEM High School. I currently teach Integrated Math III, French 2, and Financial Literacy to juniors and seniors at our high school and have been teaching for about 16 years, since the Spring of 1999. I was a Milken National Teacher Award winner in 2005 as well and I am currently completing the MSU-WIPRO STEM program this year to earn a graduate certificate in STEM leadership.
My twitter handle: @drwash42
My website address: mrsdwash.weebly.com
My favorite quote related to teaching/learning: “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, then maybe we should teach the way they learn.” By Ignacio Estrada
Book Recommendation: My book recommendation is Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov. This book doesn’t just provide you with theories that should work in the classroom, but instead it provides you with actionable strategies and techniques that you can immediately take into the classroom. It also provides video clips of the techniques in action. It inspires you to be the best teacher you can be and does not sugarcoat the difficulties we face in the classroom.
2. Where I am now?
This past year as an MSU Urban STEM follow has been hectic, challenging, and rewarding. Somehow, I have been able to rise to each challenge despite the surety within myself that the challenge was impossible for me to complete. I have learned how to use technology in innovative ways instead of being ruled by technology and my lack of understanding. My approach to STEM has changed. STEM no longer is this amorphous concept that I am not involved in and have no idea how to implement. Instead STEM is more an extension of ourselves and our ways of interacting with information and using technology and other tools to create our own unique projects.
3. Looking forward.
STEM is about students thinking deeply and working together to create solutions to problems. To reach students, I need to use technology for educational purposes. I need to be innovative in my assignments and use of available technology. I plan to keep in touch with Candace and Missy and possibly the other MSU instructors as well as keeping up with what the members of our groups do and learn. I plan to develop lessons next year and in upcoming years that incorporate technology into the lesson so that students are learning while having fun. I also plan to work on changing the way in which I implement my curriculum so that there is more time for students to collaborate and create.
4. Summing up.
This I believe...One teacher can make a positive difference in many students’ lives. Helping a student to believe in themselves despite their circumstances is worth the fight to get there.
Bio: I am a high school math and french teacher in the Chicago Public Schools system. I am also the math department chair at Corliss Early College STEM High School. I currently teach Integrated Math III, French 2, and Financial Literacy to juniors and seniors at our high school and have been teaching for about 16 years, since the Spring of 1999. I was a Milken National Teacher Award winner in 2005 as well and I am currently completing the MSU-WIPRO STEM program this year to earn a graduate certificate in STEM leadership.
My twitter handle: @drwash42
My website address: mrsdwash.weebly.com
My favorite quote related to teaching/learning: “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, then maybe we should teach the way they learn.” By Ignacio Estrada
Book Recommendation: My book recommendation is Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov. This book doesn’t just provide you with theories that should work in the classroom, but instead it provides you with actionable strategies and techniques that you can immediately take into the classroom. It also provides video clips of the techniques in action. It inspires you to be the best teacher you can be and does not sugarcoat the difficulties we face in the classroom.
- Taking each in turn. Looking back.
2. Where I am now?
This past year as an MSU Urban STEM follow has been hectic, challenging, and rewarding. Somehow, I have been able to rise to each challenge despite the surety within myself that the challenge was impossible for me to complete. I have learned how to use technology in innovative ways instead of being ruled by technology and my lack of understanding. My approach to STEM has changed. STEM no longer is this amorphous concept that I am not involved in and have no idea how to implement. Instead STEM is more an extension of ourselves and our ways of interacting with information and using technology and other tools to create our own unique projects.
3. Looking forward.
STEM is about students thinking deeply and working together to create solutions to problems. To reach students, I need to use technology for educational purposes. I need to be innovative in my assignments and use of available technology. I plan to keep in touch with Candace and Missy and possibly the other MSU instructors as well as keeping up with what the members of our groups do and learn. I plan to develop lessons next year and in upcoming years that incorporate technology into the lesson so that students are learning while having fun. I also plan to work on changing the way in which I implement my curriculum so that there is more time for students to collaborate and create.
4. Summing up.
This I believe...One teacher can make a positive difference in many students’ lives. Helping a student to believe in themselves despite their circumstances is worth the fight to get there.