The Columbus City Schools (CCS) community is aggressively pursuing equity in education, this time through the lens of math. An event notably titled "Math Equity: Pursuing Excellence in Math Education" symposium was held last Tuesday, sparking a new dialogue among educators. At the Ohio Union, CCS teachers united with a focus on enhancing math pedagogy for every student. The symposium was especially relevant for fourth through seventh-grade teachers, a group strategically chosen based on their direct influence on the Columbus Board of Education’s goal to upsurge math proficiency among students.
Loretta Jennings, a veteran fifth-grade teacher from Starling PreK-8, shared her insights after the symposium to fully embrace its teachings. "We each have unique approaches to presenting problems, and we can leverage those differences positively in the classroom,” Jennings told CCS’ website. The sessions she attended aimed to radically reimagine the teaching of fractions and decimals, critical topics in math education for her grade level.
In alignment with the District’s philosophy that math is for all, CCS Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman addressed the gathering, saying, "We firmly believe that everyone is a math person and that each student brings their unique mathematical brilliance to the classroom," as per the event’s coverage Columbus City Schools. This sentiment reflects the growing awareness and drive to upend traditional methods and invite a more inclusive approach to teaching mathematics.
Senior educational administrators like Kevin Jackson, the assistant principal at Woodward Park Middle School, also consider professional development a crucial crossroads for elementary and middle school math. "This event is valuable because it connects middle school math with elementary math, allowing us to understand what foundational knowledge students bring to the middle school level," Jackson stated in an interview on CCS' page. By aligning curriculums across grade levels, teachers can better construct a coherent and solid academic base for their students.
Key takeaways from the symposium included embracing real-world math applications in teaching strategies. Jennings expressed her anticipation of bringing this perspective to her classroom. "My philosophy is that I’m not here to teach you just to pass a test. I’m here to teach you how to navigate life, and math is life," she expounded, as mentioned in the CCS report. The symposium represents not just a chance for professional development. Still, it signals a more profound shift in educational values, ushering in an era where excellence in education increasingly means equitable education for all.
