Learning is a Journey: Strategies for Cultivating Confidence in Secondary Mathematics - "The Torch" Summer Series Ep. 6

Riverside County Teacher of the Year Marie Stevenson brings 16 years of educational experience, with the last decade dedicated to teaching mathematics at Rancho Mirage High School in Palm Springs Unified School District. As a dynamic educator, Marie wears multiple hats, serving as the Math Department Chair, coach, club advisor, and active participant in various school committees. Her commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom, evident in her advocacy for mastery grading and fostering cross-curricular collaboration. Students praise Marie for her approachable nature and dedication to ensuring every student’s understanding. Colleagues highlight her ability to guide and inspire fellow educators, emphasizing her role as a catalyst for professional growth. Join us now for this never-before-seen extended interview with Marie Stevenson — only on The Torch.CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction 01:45 - Getting into teaching 02:22 - Philosophy of teaching 02:44 - How has your teaching strategy evolved? 03:37 - Cultivating confidence through instructional design 03:59 - The fear with risks in mathematics 05:10 - Breaking down barriers to inspire confidence 06:32 - Math anxiety explained 07:57 - Learning math is not about right or wrong 08:47 - The value of mistakes in math 09:47 - Creating a space where students are more comfortable taking risks. 11:15 - Mathematics is seen as an archaic subject 12:27 - Creativity in mathematics: knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do 13:57 - Equitable grading practices 15:42 - Aspects of Mastery Grading 17:13 - Establishing trust with students 18:16 - School is a big safety net for students 19:12 - Taking a compassionate approach 20:29 - Sensing the mood of a classroom 22:02 - How external forces can affect learning 23:36 - Favorite moments as a teacher 24:39 - How to deal with stress of the job 25:01 - Advice for first-year teachers 25:36 - Addressing Chronic Absenteeism 27:27 - What drives Ms. Stevenson’s passion 28:29 - The value of getting feedback as educators 29:43 - Thank you for joining us Connect with RCOE Online! Visit RCOE.us: https://www.rcoe.us Find RCOE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiversideCOE Follow RCOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverside_coe/