Rationale for Wisconsin Teacher Development and Licensure Standard Three

The summer of 2010 brought some challenging course work for my mathematics support. I was enrolled in MT 445, which is Advanced Topics in Elementary Mathematics and MT 345 a course in College Geometry. Both of these classes tested my resolve when it came to solving mathematical problems that were presented to me. I learned a lot of the way that I want to teach mathematics over the course of these classes. Specifically in Advanced Topics in Elementary Mathematics, our main focus was on developing problem solving skills and talking about our individual processes when solving a particular problem. My final reflection for that class allowed me to address my desire to incorporate problem solving processes into my teaching. There are many different ways to approach a problem, some may be easier than others, but it is fascinating to see students of different abilities solve problems in unique ways that lead to a correct answer. Wisconsin Teacher Development and Licensure standard three encompasses creating learning opportunities that are appropriate to the stages of development of your students, their learning styles and their strengths and needs. I know that I want to include problem solving exercises into my curriculum because students are able to use what they know to arrive at an answer. Some students will make a visual representation of the problem, others may create charts or tables, and others may decide to look at a problem algebraically. Advanced Topics in Elementary Mathematics was the first time that I completely understood how problem solving fosters different abilities within an inclusive classroom. Looking at this reflection from the Alverno Education Department Outcomes of the Major, it embodies integrative interaction. When demonstrating integrative interaction, a teacher respects the different approaches of her students. By incorporating problem solving and allowing students to share their processes, I show respect for the varied approaches and the processes involved in problem solving. Through the rapport that I intend to have with future students, this will be a respectful way to look at the different ways you can look at solving problems in mathematics and in the real world.