Mr. Stevens
I am a 6th grade math teacher at Middle School North. I am originally from Willard, Ohio and currently live in Hilliard. I earned my B.S. Ed. from THE Ohio State University in Middle Childhood Education, my M.A.Ed from Mount Vernon Nazarene University specializing in middle grades math, science, and social studies curriculum. I am currently working on my Ed.D. at the University of South Dakota specializing in Educational Leadership k-12. Before coming to MSN, I taught 8th grade Algebra and was the math department chair at North Naples Middle School in Naples, Florida. Other areas in education that I have worked are as an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug prevention educator with RPR in Morrow county for preschool to 8th grade, life skills course creator and instructor with Morrow County Juvenile Courts ages 14-18, and a school psychologist assistant with MOESC in Mansfield.
Why I Teach
I believe the late Rita Pierson said it best, “Teaching and learning should bring joy. How powerful would our world be if we had kids who were not afraid to take risks, who were not afraid to think, and who had a champion? Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” Middle school was a struggle for me, but I connected with one teacher that made all the difference (thanks Mrs. Eden)
Activity
In our classroom, we never learn alone. We have a variety of strategies that engage the kids in cooperative groups. If we make an “oops” or do not understand the problem, we always have someone willing to guide our thinking. It may be the teacher. It may be a peer. Either way we have each other’s back. In this particular activity, we investigated local grocery ads to determine the best price on Trick-or-Treat candy. Here we see groups coaching each other during a review on unit price. We learned how to “get more stuff” for our money.
CURRENTLY READING
The Handbook for the New Art and Science of Teaching, by Robert Marzano
The Principal’s Desk Blog
FUN FACT:
I was an on-air personality for Y-105 FM during undergrad.