Introduction

     Hello! Math has always been one of my FAVORITE subjects in school and I have always enjoyed teaching math to students. In this class, I hope to learn more about the math curriculum, instruction, and assessment so that I can help teachers deliver instruction in such a way that students are able to understand the concepts being taught. I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education (K-6) and my Master of School Administration degree from UNCW! This past spring makes 2 years that I have been taking classes in Educational Leadership with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction.

Stephanie Willis

About Me......
     I am a native of Wilmington, N.C. I graduated from E.A. Laney High School, where the FAMOUS (if you're into sports) Michael Jordan attended school. I lived in Raleigh for about 3 years while attending N.C. State University, before transferring to UNCW. Upon graduating (the first time) with my Elementary Education degree, I worked in Brunswick County as a Pre-K teacher for 3 years and then I moved to 1st grade for 3 years. I think I still would have been teaching, if not for my assistant principal (at the time) who pulled me aside one day and talked to me about applying for the Principal Fellow's Program because of what she saw in me as a classroom teacher. Nevertheless, I figured I would apply and if it was meant to be, I would get accepted into the program. I guess it was meant to be, because I found myself taking a leave of absence from work while completing the 2 year program. While taking classes, I worked on campus in the Education Building in King Hall and taught an EDL200 class and worked with different professors on projects. After my internships at a 3-5 school in Pender County and my high school, I was employed by Pender County Schools as an Assistant Principal at the same school where I was an intern. After a few years and transitions, I became principal at the same school. I then moved into a county role managing a 4.5 million dollar Safe Schools, Healthy Students grant and for the last 5 years I have been working as the Coordinator/Administrator of our Alternative Learning Program which I built from the ground up.

GO PANTHERS!

      My husband (who is also a Wilmington native) and I have been married for 18 years (will be 19 in September) and we have one son who is 16 years old and VERY active in school and in the community. I have been a soccer mom, t-ball mom, basketball mom, football mom, and lacrosse mom since he was 4 years old. Football and Lacrosse seem to be the sport of choice as he enters his junior year of high school.....at Laney. Our spare time consists of working in the community as I am
also the Co-Founder/Director of a girls mentoring group called GRITS (Girls Rocking in the South). We love to travel and are AVID fans of the Carolina Panthers! We try to attend at least 2-3 games each season at Bank of America Stadium.

     One thing that is unique about me is my ability to connect with students who are considered "at risk". I have a passion for helping student see the best in themselves when others have a hard time finding the best in them. Every student should have someone that can be their advocate even when they have pushed the limits and made the wrong decisions. I tend to be that person for a lot of the students that are assigned to our alternative program.

How I feel about mathematics............
     Math is very exciting to me! It's like taking the pieces of a puzzle and making it all fit together. I have always loved math in school (except for the proofs and theorems in Geometry) When it comes to learning mathematics, I feel eager. When it comes to teaching mathematics, I feel confident. School mathematics should be engaging and FUN! Being good at mathematics means being able to apply the concepts in a variety of ways.

What exemplary mathematics teachers do to help their students learn mathematics.....
     Since I have not been directly involved with the math curriculum in a few years, I would need some refreshing, but I feel confident in my ability to lead others in the area of math since I consider myself to be a quick learner. An exemplary leader is one who meets the learner where they are and builds a trusting relationship so the learner feels that they can take risks when asking questions and feel supported. Exemplary leaders in the area of mathematics make sure that they are teaching math in a way that meets the learning styles of all learners and is engaging for all students. They use data to drive their instruction, and they use a variety of assessment tools to check the pulse of their learners frequently.