classroom trailhead

I’ve decided this year to treat my classroom less like a classroom, and more like a national park. Why? Because I’m tired of going on epic hikes and asking myself, “Why did humanity see all of nature and decide we should be inside all the time?”

So, I’m bringing nature to the classroom. (If you are here, you obviously already know this)

From the first day of school onward, I will be referencing this statement I created that defines everything I want the future of math classrooms to look like. I was inspired by a sign I read when I walked onto a beach in Vancouver, BC, that reminded us what’s important when we step out onto the sand.

A classroom needs that too:

You are about to enter a space where…

We see differently

Math is our trailhead –
A starting point for wonder, curiosity, and beauty.
We look beyond the numbers in here.

In this classroom, we explore and solve problems, with collaboration and connection. We seek out inspiration in the nature of the process.

Enter with a calm presence and an open mind.
Be ready to be challenged, to fail, to grow, and to appreciate the path as much as the summit.

Welcome to the scenic math classroom.