Making Math Memorable: Spark Thinking to Make Learning Stick

 

Hanna Burt, 5th Grade Math Teacher - Central Heights Elementary

Hannah is a fifth grade math teacher at Central Heights Elementary and brings five years of experience teaching across multiple grade levels, including kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade. She is passionate about pushing students to be successful in all areas and strongly believes that positive student relationships play a powerful role in supporting learning and growth.

One of Hannah’s most memorable math moments occurred during her time as a student teacher in a bilingual classroom. While working with a small group of three students on multiplying two digit numbers, she used the little Spanish she knew to help explain the concepts. That moment led to a breakthrough for the students and for Hannah as a teacher, reinforcing her belief that honoring students’ culture and experiences can make a meaningful difference in how they learn.

 

Brittany Sanchez, 5th Grade Math Teacher - Central Heights Elementary

Brittany has taught for 16 years at Central Heights Elementary. She spent 10 years teaching math and science in 4th grade and is currently in her sixth year teaching 5th grade mathematics. Brittany is always looking for new and better ways to support student learning and loves growing alongside her students. One day, she hopes to earn a master’s degree in mathematics education.

One of Brittany’s most memorable math moments came when working with a student who struggled tremendously in math. Throughout the year, their work focused not only on math skills but also on building confidence. On the day the student learned she had passed the 5th grade Math STAAR test, she called Brittany at home to share her joy. That moment of pride and success continues to shape Brittany’s belief in the power of encouragement and persistence.

 

Rebecca Cook, Math Instructional Coach - Hallsville Junior High

Rebecca serves as the instructional coach and math department chair at Hallsville Junior High in Hallsville ISD. She brings over 30 years of experience in education, with a career that has spanned teaching from the preschool level to working as a college admissions counselor. For more than 20 years, Rebecca has been deeply involved in the world of mathematics and is passionate about helping teachers create classrooms filled with questions, discussion, and meaningful student thinking.

One of Rebecca’s most memorable math moments comes from watching her student teachers complete their very first day of teaching on their own. Hearing them say, “I did it, I loved it, but I am tired!” always brings a smile, and her response is the same every time: “Welcome to education!” Those moments capture the joy, challenge, and heart of the profession she loves.

 

Stephanie Emerine, 7th Grade Math Teacher - Hallsville Junior High

Stephanie has dedicated 14 years to teaching, spending the majority of her career helping students build strong foundations and confidence in mathematics. She currently teaches seventh grade Advanced Math at Hallsville Junior High, where she is committed to creating a collaborative and engaging classroom environment. Stephanie is especially passionate about the power of peer talk and values opportunities for students to explain their thinking, teach one another, and deepen understanding through meaningful discussion.

One of Stephanie’s most memorable math moments is watching students naturally correct one another’s misconceptions without the teacher stepping in. Those moments affirm her belief that rich discourse and collaboration help students take ownership of their learning.

 

Jessi Cooper, 2nd Grade Teacher - Elkhart Elementary

Jessi is a teacher at Elkhart Elementary with 15 years of experience teaching kindergarten and second grade. She is passionate about helping students truly understand the concrete side of mathematical concepts by making learning hands-on, meaningful, and accessible. Jessi loves designing lessons that build strong foundations and confidence in young learners and is excited to share practical strategies teachers can use right away in their classrooms.

One of Jessi’s most memorable math moments came when she introduced counting collections in her classroom. What began as a simple counting activity quickly grew into something more powerful as students developed number sense, explored place value, and explained their thinking in new ways. Watching students connect concrete objects to abstract math concepts reinforced for Jessi just how impactful hands on learning can be.

 

Kaysie Woody, Director of Curriculum - Elkhart ISD

Kaysie serves as the curriculum director at Elkhart ISD, where she has the privilege of working with teachers across all grade levels, content areas, and levels of experience. She supports educators through instructional coaching, professional development, and curriculum alignment, always leading with a heart for growth and collaboration. Kaysie is deeply passionate about helping teachers feel confident, supported, and inspired as they create meaningful learning experiences for students.

One of Kaysie’s most memorable math moments dates back to third grade, when she earned a zero on a mad minute subtraction paper focused on nines. What stayed with her was not the embarrassment, but her teacher’s response. That teacher reminded her that mistakes are not permanent, helped her understand the error, and sent her forward smiling and ready to try again. That moment continues to shape Kaysie’s belief in the power of encouragement, resilience, and supportive teaching.

 

Katie Knight, 5th Grade Math Teacher - Cross Roads Elementary

Katie has 11 years of experience teaching mathematics. Early in her career, she served as a math interventionist before moving into the general education classroom, where she has taught second grade, third grade, and fifth grade math. Katie loves mathematics and is deeply passionate about helping students shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset as they learn.

One of Katie’s most memorable math moments comes from her own experience as a student. She struggled through math for much of her life and succeeded in college only through perseverance. Becoming a teacher with firsthand experience of struggle has shaped how she supports students who find math challenging and has strengthened her commitment to helping them persist and grow with confidence.

 

Jennifer Jamerson, 7th Grade Math Teacher - Judson STEAM Academy

Jennifer brings 16 years of experience serving students across middle and high school settings. She currently teaches seventh grade mathematics at Judson STEAM Academy in Longview ISD and has also served as an academic instructional coach supporting kindergarten through eighth grade educators. Jennifer is passionate about helping students develop confidence, critical thinking, and problem solving skills by connecting mathematics to meaningful, real world applications.

One of Jennifer’s most memorable instructional moments occurred during a precalculus trigonometry lesson when students constructed accurately measured right triangles using concrete models to create points on the unit circle. Through hands-on creation and precise measurement, students were able to connect geometric reasoning to trigonometric concepts in a powerful way. The lesson highlighted student ownership of learning while reinforcing accuracy, critical thinking, and meaningful mathematical connections.

 

Malorie Goode, Assistant Principal - Troup Middle School

Malorie serves as an assistant principal at Troup Middle School, where she supports instruction and student success across all content areas. She brings 10 years of experience in education, including three years in her current leadership role. Malorie has a strong passion for working with data and numbers to identify areas of growth, celebrate progress, and drive continuous improvement, and she especially enjoys helping teachers use data effectively to strengthen teaching and learning for all students.

One of Malorie’s most memorable math moments as a leader happened during a math PLC on Halloween, when she showed up dressed as a pterodactyl. While reviewing data and leading the conversation as usual, she quickly discovered it was a bit harder to keep everyone focused for obvious reasons. The moment perfectly captured her belief that meaningful work and joy can exist side by side in professional learning.

 

Samantha Kraus, 7th Grade Math Teacher - Troup Middle School

Samantha serves as a sixth grade math teacher at Troup ISD and brings eight years of classroom experience to her work with students. Her teaching is centered on diagnosing student struggles in real time and designing creative interventions that build mathematical confidence and support long-term success. Samantha believes deeply that everyone counts, or no one does.

One of Samantha’s most memorable math moments happens every time a student returns to tell her that something she taught truly stuck. Those moments affirm the lasting impact of meaningful instruction and continue to inspire her work in the classroom.

 

Mihaela Munday, Dual Credit Math Teacher - Timpson High School

Mihaela brings over 33 years of experience in mathematics education and currently serves as a math instructor at Timpson ISD. She primarily teaches dual credit mathematics courses in partnership with Panola College, ranging from College Algebra through Calculus III. Mihaela is deeply committed to strengthening each student’s mathematical skill set and promoting excellence through opportunities such as UIL, TSIA, SAT, ACT, and participation in Mu Alpha Theta and national honors math conventions.

One of Mihaela’s most memorable math moments began in fifth grade, when she realized she wanted to become a math teacher, inspired by her parents, who were both mathematics educators. From them, she learned that there are many valid ways to teach and solve mathematical problems and that the human mind has no limits when it comes to learning. This belief continues to shape her approach to instruction and her passion for helping students see mathematics as both challenging and full of possibility.

 

Amy Roberts, Algebra I & Geometry Teacher - Garrison High School

Amy is in her eleventh year of teaching mathematics. Her experience includes teaching Algebra I and Geometry as well as mathematics in grades 6th - 8th Grade Math, and she currently holds the Recognized distinction through her district Teacher Incentive Allotment plan. Amy is passionate about helping students learn mathematics and overcome math related trauma, firmly believing that everyone can be a math person.

One of Amy’s most memorable math moments is watching students realize how much they enjoy her class once the math finally makes sense. Seeing confidence grow as understanding clicks continues to motivate her work in the classroom.

 

 

Chris Simpson, Algebra II and AP Precalculus Teacher - Gladewater High School

Chris Simpson is in his ninth year of teaching mathematics. He currently teaches Algebra 2 and AP Precalculus and has experience teaching 7th and 8th grade math, Algebra 1, and Geometry. Chris enjoys working primarily with 10th grade students and is especially interested in teaching advanced mathematics courses such as AP Calculus and AP Statistics in the future.

One of Chris’s most memorable math moments came while earning a certificate in Data Science, when he was surprised by how deeply Algebra I concepts are embedded in the field. That experience reinforced the importance of strong algebra foundations and continues to shape how he approaches instruction.