Isaac Fudge 2023 TOTY Winner!

A: I found STEM projects (STEM Starter kits) for hands-on science learning. This is student-designed creativity using the basis of the engineering design process with science topics such as force and motion, 5 senses, properties of matter, and the experimentation and investigation process. Students can implement and connect science foundations with practical application and have fun.

A: Throughout the year in Math, we discussed the topic of arrays as the foundation of multiplication. We talked the importance of having a strong foundation, so our “house of Math” does not collapse in later school years. The columns outside our window reminded us of the direction of a column and a row. We demonstrated this concept with our parallel arms going up and down (vertical) or across one on top of the other (horizontal). We used magnets and other objects to make specified arrays. Equations of repeated addition were written to show an analytical picture of the array. The specifics of the array were written; example: 4 rows with 3 apples in each row. At the end of the year, I stated a description and my students created the array, the repeated addition equation, and the written specifications. We lined up the written information to become a multiplication equation. The B.E.S.T. benchmark had students solve to 25. My students were able to solve anything in the single-digit range. They were so excited, and I was so happy to see the connections from the foundation to application.

A: I would use it to benefit my students and my classroom by buying educational materials such as math manipulatives, culturally inclusive books, and conversational based games.

A: One of my favorite teaching moments from the 2022-2023 school year was learning to advocate for my students and in return my students learned how to advocate for themselves. Specifically, one of my ML students was taking geometry for the second time and despite all his efforts was failing with a 17. After finding out his accommodations were not being met, I was able to go to his counselor and admin to advocate for his teacher to be changed. He was placed into a co-taught geometry class where he was supported and able to sustain a B average. After that, my student began advocating for himself to ensure his teachers were giving him the proper supports and accommodations in order to be successful.

A: I would purchase items for my classroom that would enhance student engagement (games, chart stand for anchor charts, and other fun items) and help students find their love of math. I feel two of the most important aspects of teaching is to build relationships with the students and to have all students fully engaged during the lesson. Having fun activities (games and hands on activities) keeps the students interested in the lesson and focused. I like to use food (candy, fruit,etc) for math topics such as fractions as I think it helps students understand the topics better when they have hands-on activities. I love math and want to share that love of math with all of my students. If students can relate the topic to something they enjoy (sports, candy,video games, etc) they will be more likely to be engaged and hopefully find their own love of math. I think too many students have a fear of math and I want all of my students to feel confident. I would use the money to purchase games and activities that could be used throughout the year in math stations to keep the students engaged. These stations would be organized both in the regular classroom lesson and during invention time where my students are placed in groups where I can better help individual student needs. When students know the lesson will be fun they will be excited to come to class each day. This will lead to classroom participation and engagement. I would also look for items that could be used for my AIG group to keep them challenged and to push them as well as items for my students that need more help. These two groups are sometimes put on the back burner and effort placed on the students in the middle. However, I want to meet the needs of all of my students. If given this money I would be able to build my classroom with supplemental resources to help all students and to help continue making my classroom fun.

A: One of my favorite teaching moments of the year was when I was able to look across the room and see every hand raised and almost everyone with math problems worked out on their paper. One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to have all students want to participate by going to the board to work out problems ( either during games or examples during the lessons). I wanted them to have confidence in themselves. I also had high expectations and explained that math required paper and pencil and all problems should be worked out and checked. At the beginning of the year I had a mix of students that raised their hand to go to the board or answer questions out loud and some that did not want to participate. I also had a lot of students that did not want to work out problems on paper or check their work. We worked throughout the year to build confidence and classroom relationships so that the class knew we were a team. As a team we would support each other. If a classmate got something wrong then it was okay as we all make mistakes. The great thing about learning is that mistakes are OK as long as we learn from them. We also practiced working and checking everything. A few months into the year, we were playing a jeopardy math game. I split the class into two teams and every student hand went up to participate. It was a great feeling seeing that all students wanted to play the game and felt confident to answer the question. Additionally, almost everyone had worked out the problem on their paper and checked their answer. As a teacher, I was so proud of my students. I was proud they were engaged, proud they felt confident, proud they worked out their problems, and most importantly proud that they checked their work. These are things that will help the students in my classroom, in other classrooms, and outside the classroom. I want them to work hard, be confident, check behind themselves, utilize their resources, and to understand that anything is possible if they try.

A: I am an itinerant teacher for my district, serving students in grades 6-8 at three schools. My instruction is centered around project-based learning. I would like to create a vegetable garden at each of my three schools so that students can monitor, track, and report in English about what they observe. Having additional funds to complete this project would benefit my ESL students and the schools at which they attend. Funds would be used for infrastructure and supplies.

A: The last school year was full of many challenging and rewarding experiences. My most memorable experience was receiving a handwritten letter from a student over Thanksgiving break. In the letter, the student wrote that he is thankful for me and the time spent helping him to improve his English skills. The letter was unprompted and heartfelt. It was a great reminder of why I chose this path. It also took a lot of courage and showed a lot of growth on the student’s part as his English was so limited during that time of year. By the end of the school year he had improved so much. I was able to show him his growth and thank him for taking time to show gratitude for me.