Emma Elizondo, MS

Hello! I am very excited to join the amazing team at the Well-Trained Mind Academy. I have a BS and a MS in Mathematics Science, and a MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Mathematics Education. I have been a high school teacher, a college professor, and a mathematics tutor. I’ve had the opportunity to teach a wide range of education levels with classes comprised of traditional face-to-face instruction, hybrid, and online formats. 

I never knew I wanted to teach mathematics until a former teacher of mine offered me a job before I finished my degree–I was planning to be an engineer. I realized, after the job offer, that I had more math classes completed than engineering courses and that from all the classes taken, what I enjoyed the most was learning the math part. But a teacher? Almost twenty years later, I can’t see myself doing anything else. 

On teaching: I like to teach the way that I learn — I like to know every single step I need to take to arrive at a solution before I start a problem, and I need to see where things come from or why they get eliminated. I like to use visuals to support my learning, so when I solve a problem, I use a calculator or the application called desmos to get a visual representation of the problem at hand when possible, and I keep a formula sheet or use index cards to write down formulas/information I must remember. Students can expect lectures, the use of a white board, document camera, and calculator/desmos to further present concepts and clear up any questions that might remain from the lecture.  I give one homework assignment per week, one quiz every two weeks, and an exam every four weeks to assess progress. Students will get three attempts at every question in their homework, two chances for every quiz, and be allowed to submit corrections on most exams for partial credit. My main objectives as an instructor are to maintain a learner-centered environment that accommodates the different needs of the students; to allow for mathematical skills to be developed; and to encourage students to take ownership of their education.