Skip to main content

Home/ Iowa Core Discussion/ Introductions!
Russ Goerend

Introductions! - 26 views

started by Russ Goerend on 21 Jun 09
  • Russ Goerend
    #1 Russ Goerend on 21 Jun 09
     
    Well, we picked up our 30th member today, so I figured an introductions thread would be appropriate.

    I'm getting ready to start my second year as a teacher this fall. I'm moving to a new school (Waukee Middle School) and a new subject area. I'll be teaching 6th grade Language Arts, moving from K-5 Talented and Gifted last year.

    This group started from a short discussion Matt Townsley and I were having about the Iowa Core, so it's really amazing to me that so many people are here to help us learn.

    Who are you? Where are you? What are you hoping to gain from this group?
  • Matt Townsley
    #3 Matt Townsley on 28 Jun 09
     
    My name is Matt Townsley, brother-in-law of Russ Goerend. I will be starting my sixth year teaching high school math in Solon, Iowa this fall. I have a BA in Math Education from Wartburg College and in May I finished an M.Ed. in curriculum and instructional technology at Iowa State.

    I first heard about ICC at the Iowa Model High School Summit several years ago when it was called the "Iowa High School Model Core Curriculum" or something along those lines. I recall it being primarily content/standards-driven and I have to admit that I wasn't very excited. I never liked the "mile wide and an inch deep" approach to math content, but I wasn't ready to succumb to state set of "core" state standards yet either. As many of you know, it has now evolved into a statewide initiative that encompasses more than high schools and more than just content or process standards. I am probably most excited about the Essential Characteristics aspect of ICC...

    "A world-class mathematics curriculum should be built around and focused on:

    * Teaching for Understanding
    * Problem-Based Instructional Tasks
    * Distributed Practice that is Meaningful and Purposeful
    * Mathematical Modeling (secondary school emphasis)
    * Deep Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge
    * Rigor and Relevance
    * Effective Use of Technology
    * Connected and Coherent Content"
    (from http://www.corecurriculum.iowa.gov/Discipline.aspx?C=Mathematics&D=Essential+Characteristics)

    ...because as I summarized it to Russ one day, "ICC is a framework for what all good teachers should be doing in their classrooms." It's no longer districts in isolation deciding to "create more rigor" or begin the quest towards "teaching for understanding." It is now a package deal that will be rolled out over several years. While acknowledging that that we, in public education, are always a part of the continual improvement cycle, I feel like ICC is here for the long haul and has the potential to help educators across Iowa improve teaching and learning. The students in schools across Iowa are in for a real treat as we all better understand and implement the Iowa Core Curriculum.
  • Corey St. John
    #4 Corey St. John on 07 Jul 09
     
    Hello everyone,

    My name is Corey St. John and I work for the Waukee Community School District. I just finished my 5th year teaching Social Studies at the Middle School and I too am just about finished with my MA in Educational Leadership. I am looking forward to learning with this group about the Iowa Core and engage in thoughtful/purposeful conversation about this new journey for all Iowa teachers.

To Top

Start a New Topic » « Back to the Iowa Core Discussion group