Math teacher invests in students
Michelle Benages is a sixth-grade math teacher at Grove Junior High in Elk Grove Village.
Q: Why did you decide to teach math?
A: A career in teaching has been something I have long aspired to. Ever since I was a little girl, my goal was to have my own classroom of students instead of my dolls and stuffed animals.
I was inspired by the dedicated math teachers I had during my middle and high school years. I struggled with math prior to that time, but they gave me the confidence I needed to overcome personal obstacles. As that confidence grew, I began to excel even more as a math student.
Shortly thereafter, I developed a positive relationship with a high school math teacher who encouraged me to pursue a potential career as a math teacher.
Q: How do you reach the students who don't like math?
A: I think part of the key to getting through to struggling students is building a strong foundation of trust in the classroom. My students know that they can depend on me because they know that their success in math is important to me.
I begin each school year by telling my students that regardless of their background or interest in math, I believe in each of them and that they can overcome any struggle they may have with my guidance and support. In other words, I personally invest in them. I also embrace when we make mistakes and use each one as a learning opportunity.
I believe that we learn most from our mistakes and how we persevere through a challenging situation. Having a learning environment that is accepting of mistakes greatly impacts a child. That feeling of accomplishment during a personal struggle brings about a whole new level of success.
Many students at this age may lack the belief that they can succeed in math based on past experience. My goal is to change the outlook of students who have not found math to be fun or have not yet experienced success in math class. All students deserve to feel that they are important and that their success in math matters to them and their world around them.
I think that my enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter resonates with my students. We have fun together in class, because math is fun!
Q: What's your philosophy for teaching math?
A: I believe that it is my duty to provide and promote a sound education for all my students to develop problem-solving skills that will enable them to function successfully in a competitive society as lifelong learners. I do my very best to portray an enthusiasm for mathematics in the classroom to show my students that learning can and should be fun.
Thus, I believe that proficient math students need a deeper understanding of concepts in order to really comprehend the mathematics that take place in the world around them. My personal goal for students is as follows: To empower all my students with the ability to construct mathematical knowledge with a deeper understanding to be able to solve any problem with confidence. I promise to give MY best for YOU!
Q: How has technology changed how you teach math?
A: Technology plays an intricate role in schools today. With a rapidly advancing technology age, appealing to the technology culture is essential in hooking student interest.
Teachers and students in District 59 are privileged to be able to take advantage of one-to-one technology. Our classroom conversations involving practicing the concepts that were introduced during class do not have to stop when the bell rings. The students and I are able to continue these conversations outside of the school day.
Oftentimes, students will reach out to me in the evening seeking guidance on a particular problem. For example, a student may respond in the daily learning target self-reflection with a question, comment, or concern about the lesson for the day. This would prompt me to reteach, if necessary, in small group or in a larger setting. Students are able to confidentially share concerns with me that they may not have shared in a whole group setting.
I have also used various websites and apps as tools to drive student interest during math instruction. Google Apps for Education has really opened doors for teachers and students to work collaboratively to improve student learning in math as we prepare for future success.