CULLOWHEE (July 16, 2015)—The Smoky Mountain Math Teachers’ Circle, a professional development community to help mathematics teachers, continues to grow after hosting the inaugural summer immersion workshop June 28–July 1 at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching.
Teachers from across the western region gathered together at NCCAT, a national leader in professional development. There were 12 middle school teachers, 5 secondary teachers, and eight higher education educators. It is open to teachers from Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.
There were eight sessions. Topics included: “Math Games,” “Problem Solving Potpourri,” and “History of Mathematics.” Western Carolina University faculty members Professor Sloan Despeaux and Associate Professor Nathan Borchelt of the WCU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science worked together to start this group.
“The goal is to build a tight community as we go into the school year,” Despeaux said. “We will have monthly meetings during the year, after school.”
Angie Hodge from the University of Nebraska Omaha served as a guest facilitator at the workshop. Other presenters were Kelli Nipper from Clayton State University in Atlanta, then a teacher-led session by Renee Stillwell (Cullowhee Valley School), Brook Stillman (Mountain Discovery Charter School), and Michelle Massingale (Fairview Elementary School).
For more information on joining the SMMTC, please contact Sloan Despeaux ([email protected]) or Nathan Borchelt ([email protected]).