In This Issue: Co-Editors Lynn Prentiss and Steve Levesque
PRESIDENT's LETTER & RIMTA BOARD
NCTM NEWS
RIMTA's PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS 16-17
NEWS FROM RIDE
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
TEACHER GRANTS
SAVE THE DATES
MATH LEAGUE INFORMATION
ATMNE NEWS
RECOGNITION OF MATHEMATICS LEADERS
President's Letter
It has been quite a year for professional development...and even so much more to come over the next two years!
In October, we revisited New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) where Kees de Groot led the keynote addressing the strand of number sense, ratio and proportions and functions, K through 12. In our breakout sessions, Sue Osberg and Donna Christy once again, gave participants fresh ideas to implement in their classrooms at both the elementary and secondary level, as it applied to this strand!
In January, we had our first Winter Workshops dedicated to the productive use of technology in the mathematics classroom. There were many breakout sessions offered and of those, informal conversations led to fresh new ideas for participants to implement back at their own schools!
And to top the year off, Diane Briars joined us in May, where we also recognized our Rookie Teacher of the Year, the Outstanding Teacher of the Year and our DeRobbio Award Recipient, Cathy Boutin. Diane brilliantly engaged teachers K-12 with thoughtful tasks and engaging dialogue. The Board felt grateful to have had the opportunity to host Diane here in RI.
BUT...watch out for what's to come!
Next year, we return to NEIT in the fall for three unique presentations at all three levels that include John Sangiovanni, NEIT Teachers and the Elementary Math Leaders Group; Mount St. Charles for round two of technology workshops; and culminating with Cathy Humphreys who will present on Number Talks in May!
YES...it gets better!
RIMTA is hosting ATMNE 2018! We are looking for volunteers to join committees. See information below. Until then, PLEASE join us in Marlborough, MA at ATMNE 2017 hosted by Massachusetts.
Toward this end, I would like to wish you all a fantastic summer break. Please rest, refresh and sharpen your axe, so that you are ready to tackle another year!
Lynn Prentiss
RIMTA President
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
― Neil Gaiman
Reflection by Gina Kilday
The RIMTA Spring Meeting was an evening of excellent math discussion and digging into the principles of quality math instruction with Diane Briars, former President of NCTM. Diane did an excellent job leading the work surrounding NCTM's Principles to Actions and introducing the attendees to the plethora of tools available in the PtA Toolkit. Attendees were excited about bringing the powerful discussions back to their own schools.
The fun of the night continued with recognitions of fabulous Rhode Island educators. Cathy Boutin was recognized as the 2017 Amedeo DeRobbio Awardee for her excellence in the classroom and as a leader in the mathematics education community. Although Cathy couldn't be present, it was inspiring to hear about all of her spirit and enthusiasm for mathematics education and to see her daughter listening, all while there to receive the award on Cathy's behalf. We also celebrated the excellence of RIMTA's first Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Anne Barbour from Metcalf Elementary in Exeter, and this year's Rookie Teacher of the Year, Kayla Brimlow from Curtis Corner Middle School in S. Kingstown. Both of these teachers have demonstrated excellence in teaching and going above and beyond as a teacher. All three awardees inspired all that were present!!
We wish all of you could have been there to enjoy, learn and be inspired, too!
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DeRobbio Award Recipient, Cathy Boutin
Amedeo DeRobbio was Treasurer of RIMTA for many years. Amedeo – known by many as "MACK" – was a devoted mathematics teacher/leader, and a super role model for a large number of people in the state, and the region. His death in January of 1997 was a sad day for many who regarded Mack as a friend and colleague. He had a dry sense of humor and a subtle, gentle manner. He was always positive and a gentleman. He was a complete stickler for detail and precision, qualities which were some of the things that made him a wonderful RIMTA treasurer. After his death, the RIMTA Executive Board decided to create the Amedeo DeRobbio Award, selecting a person who demonstrated Mack’s spirit and enthusiasm for mathematics.
Cathy Boutin is an eighth grade mathematics teacher and the grade 8 grade level leader at John F. Deering Middle School in West Warwick, Rhode Island. She has taught mathematics for over 25 years, and obtained her National Boards certification in 2009. She is RIMTA’s Past President and has served as a member of RIMTA for over 20 years. And just a few weekends ago, she was named President-elect of ATMNE, the Association of Teachers of Mathematics of New England, our regional affiliate.
In addition to her work at Deering Middle School, she has been a member of the PARCC Consortium and also served as a member of the PARCC Educator Leader Cadre, where she shared best practices regarding the effective implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and engaged in reviewing PARCC-developed instructional materials.
To say that this person is dedicated to mathematics education is an understatement. She works tirelessly to retune, revise, re-shift, even throw out some of her practices to ensure a better, more engaging and relevant experience for her students. She is known for her student-centered classroom, a classroom that is student-led and riddled with challenge, high expectations and unlimited dry humor. She leads in the mathematics community here in RI and outside RI. She makes sure she is rubbing elbows with anyone willing to come to RI and offer our RIMTA members their expertise.
One of her 8th grade Algebra 1 students said it best. “Even though she can be strict at times, only helping to prepare us for high school. I’m glad to have a teacher like her that not only cares about our math, but also about us as people.”
Although Cathy was unable to be with us that night, we have Facetimed her in and her daughter Kait was there to accept the award on her behalf!
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2017 Student Recognition Award for GRIT!
Mr. Ruhle, teacher at Lincoln High School, shared that Ryan Tougas had always done well in mathematics because he pushed himself. Pushing himself meant taking an additional 2-week course in Trigonometry and taking a summer course which afforded him no credit or grade, all in the hopes of ensuring success in his AP Calculus class as a senior. Ryan soon realized that AP Calculus was no walk in the park. This did not get him down. The student bought review books and began approaching problems in a whole new way.
One real highlight was his work with the Samsung’s “Solve for Tomorrow” contest that Mr. Ruhle entered. Even though the group was not a national finalist, Ryan continued this project and presented at one of the Lincoln School Committee Meetings. His idea of creating a soil moisture system that would tell a computer when a specific zone would need irrigation was quite impressive!
Mr. Ruhle goes on to say that Ryan Tougas stands out for his ability to think critically and strategically to solve real world problems and think outside of the box.
In the words of Ryan himself, “Although Mr. Ruhle’s class has been my greatest mathematical obstacle yet, through hard work and perseverance, I have stayed successful.”
Ryan Tougas was presented with the RIMTA’s Student Recognition Award, along with a $50 Visa Gift Card, a pizza party for the class and a bouquet of balloons.
"Rookie of the Year" Award
Kayla Brimlow is in her second year of teaching as a Math teacher at Curtis Corner Middle School.
Mrs. Patricia Aull, Principal of Curtis Corner MS and nominating colleague, shared that she was struck by Kayla’s poise, confidence and ability to reach her students from the very beginning of her teaching. Kayla’s instruction is purposeful, focused and personalized. She regularly debriefs her lessons with her colleagues, fails forward, engages in reciprocal peer observations of practice, and inspires and leads by example. She is eager to present and share her knowledge, and has recently applied to be a Highlander Institute FUSE Fellow to nourish her love of learning.
For these reasons, the RIMTA Board found her most deserving of this award.
Outstanding Mathematics Teacher of the Year Award
Anne Barbour is in her 29th year of teaching and serves as a third grade teacher at Metcalf Elementary School in Exeter-West Greenwich.
Gina Kilday, K-6 Math Coach at Metcalf Elementary and nominating colleague, shared that as soon as you walk into Anne’s room, you are immediately absorbed by the color and clear excitement of learning, as the walls celebrate student work. Anne is a champion for her students - academically, socially and behaviorally, to ensure they get their needs met. Anne mentors student teachers, serves on multiple committees at the school and opens her classroom up to her colleagues as a tool for reflection and feedback for improvement. Anne is a sponge for learning and takes advantage of every opportunity to do so.
For these reasons, the RIMTA Board found her most deserving of this award.
NCSM Update
NCSM 2017 Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas April 3-5
I had the opportunity to attend the NCSM Annual Conference in San Antonio on April 3-5. If you ever have a chance to attend an NSCM Conference, I highly recommend it.
Below are the Highlights from the 49th NCSM Annual Conference!
Sunday: There were two wonderful preconference sessions. One by Katey Arrington and Shelly LeDoux and the other by Jennifer Wilson and Jill Gough.
Monday: Eli Luberoff was the Keynote Speaker at Lunch. Jo Boaler and Graham Fletcher were also there.
Tuesday: Steve Leinwand's session overflowed with interest about his 10 Instructional Tweaks and Wade Ellis and Gail Burrill shared six principles that support learning.
Wednesday: Starting with an invigorating networking breakfast, some attendees in the next session saw Jennifer Bay-Williams knock it out of the park with some engaging ideas, connecting numeracy ideas from elementary to high school!
With a mix of new and returning presenters, the 1,800 conference attendees in San Antonio learned about cutting edge research, gained insights from well-known practitioners and met up with friends from across the country.
If you weren't able to attend this year, you should try to be in Washington D.C. in 2018!
The picture shows RIMTA becoming an NCSM affiliate this past fall.
MathCamp, July 10 - July 21, 2017
MathCamp: Integrating the Common Core Shifts into Mathematics Instruction
Middle School Educators: July 10 - 13, 2017
Elementary School Educators: July 17 - 21, 2017
Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm each day
Location: Teachers College, Columbia University
Registration Fee Per Attendee: $850
Please also visit, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/continuing-professional-studies/programs/all-offerings/mathcamp/
For more information, please email or call us at: tcmath@tc.edu and 212-678-3381.
RI TeacherFest 2017 - For K-12 teachers, By K-12 teachers
Our mission is to elevate the Rhode Island K-12 conference experience through a unique event serving all schools, grade levels, and subjects while boosting membership in professional organizations and uniting all educators for two days of enlightenment and entertainment.
What's in store at RI TeacherFest?
We're glad you asked!
Keynote speakers:
August 8 - Sylvia Martinez, co-author of Invent to Learn
August 9 - Newbery Honor-award winning author Adam Gidwitz
Workshops - check out our Highlights page - more details coming soon!
Featured breakout sessions by both keynote speakers!
Exhibits
Raffles
Daycare (space is limited - details coming soon)
Food trucks
Family-friendly entertainment
Concerts
And much more!
Come on down to the shore to get refreshed and re-energized with a two-day conference featuring tips, techniques, and teaching strategies to help you fully engage your students, your colleagues, and your communities. Whether you teach information literacy, ELA, fine arts, social studies, STEM, world languages, research skills, special education, health & PE, kindergarteners, middle schoolers, seniors, or something or someone in between, this conference will enhance your skill set and bring you some fun in the process!
Join colleagues from all over the state at the air-conditioned Narragansett High School to learn, share, and celebrate before heading back into the classroom, library, or computer lab in September.
Cost to attend (lunch included)
Register by June 30 - $80.00 for both days or $50.00 for one day
Register after June 30 - $100.00 for both days or $70.00 for one day
Registration will open and full conference program will be available on May 17.
Follow @riteacherfest on Twitter for updates!
Registration opens soon! #RITFest17
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ATMNE 2017 in Marlborough, MA
When:
Thursday and Friday
November 2-3, 2017
Best Western Royal Hotel and Trade Center
Marlboro, MA
Keynotes Confirmed
Opening Address
Eric Milou
Thursday Lunch Keynote
Tracy Zager
Friday Lunch Keynote
Steve Leinwand
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NCTM's Conferences and Events, 2017-2018
Breaking Barriers:
Actionable approaches to reach each and every learner in mathematics
November 15–17, 2017 • Las Vegas
Rio All-Suite Las Vegas Hotel
For more information, visit http://www.nctm.org/innov8/
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Thank you and Best Wishes to Kees DeGroot
Recently, Cornelis (Kees) deGroot announced his resignation from the RIMTA Executive Board. A professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Rhode Island, Kees has been a member of the RIMTA Board for eight years. His expertise and experience on professional boards helped shape RIMTA’s initiatives, and he was a frequent presenter at RIMTA conferences. Whenever he spoke about mathematics, you were sure to understand mathematics in a way you hadn’t before.
His insights and contributions to the Board will be missed. Hopefully, he will pop up at RIMTA events from time to time.
