Menlo Park, CA: Amy Pomeroy, a Grades 8–12 Mathematics Teacher at Southwick Regional School (MA), has been named the Open Up Resources Teacher of the Month for November. Pomeroy is being recognized for her outstanding work in her classroom and ongoing support of teachers across the country as a member of the Open Up Resources National Professional Learning Community.
Pomeroy’s work with Open Up High School Mathematics makes her one of the most innovative teachers in the country. The Open Up High School Mathematics curriculum inspires a new way of teaching math by transforming classrooms into hives of activity focusing on discussion, questioning, debate, and the deeper conceptual learning of mathematics that follows.Stephanie Niedziela, a colleague at Southwick Regional School, nominated Pomeroy for her leadership and support as her team navigates implementation of Open Up High School Mathematics. Niedziela shared, “Amy is always willing to answer questions, brainstorm, and explain when we have a question. She has truly gone above and beyond to help the teachers in my school feel comfortable using these resources this school year. She takes great pride in helping her students understand and gain a love for mathematics.”
In her application, Pomeroy described the intentionally cyclic nature that she has noticed within Open Up High School Mathematics. She explained, “The high school curriculum is structured in a meaningful way that reviews standards from previous courses with current standards so that they enhance a student's understanding of the content. Student Tasks allow students to experience/discover the standards instead of just having a teacher present them, which provides ownership of their learning. The Ready, Set, Go component is well thought out and ties together concepts that in traditional curriculum would never appear in the same lessons.”
And Pomeroy shared some advice for those considering adopting this curriculum: “Open Up High School Mathematics is by far the best curriculum I have ever viewed. I am amazed at how the authors so thoughtfully weave together the units so that everything relates and builds upon itself. I would definitely trust the process because, if you try to show a concept too early, you will realize there was a reason why it wasn't shown in that particular lesson. It will eventually be taught in a meaningful, connected way. Students' understanding of mathematical concepts will be so much stronger if you use this curriculum. I am only on Year 2 of using it, and I am already amazed at what my students are doing with this curriculum.”
Open Up Resources is a non-profit on a mission to increase equity in education by making excellent, top-rated curricula freely available to districts. You can learn more at www.openupresources.org.