The Certainty of Math in Uncertain Times

Mini-Conference

            Math Educators of Solano County (MESC) held their mini-conference with the support of Solano Community College, CMC-N, and CMC^3 on Saturday, February 20, 2010.  This sixth annual event was attended by about 53 local math teachers, teacher educators, and student-teachers.  The day began with a full breakfast and a short MESC general meeting.  The keynote speaker Gretchen Muller, California Math Council-North President, spoke to the group about the four generations that are all working together now as math educators.  She pointed out how we may see things differently and need to learn to use each others’ strengths to work together effectively.  For the next two hours, participants chose the two workshops that they wanted to attend.  Each hour there were four sessions, each one addressing a different grade level or area.  The day ended with a raffle and materials exchange.  New teachers were especially excited to find supplies that they could take with them and make use of with their students.

            There was a new component to our conference this year, an Articulation Lunch.  About 20 teachers stayed for a pasta lunch and informal discussions in small groups.  After they finished eating, 15 of these teachers continued their discussions more formally in a large circle.  After introductions, we focused on algebra students and the struggles we face helping these students learn. One student-teacher at Armijo said the articulation lunch discussion was the best part of the entire conference, just listening to what others had to say about algebra issues.  I would like to thank the board of CMC^3 for voting to support the efforts of MESC and Solano Community College faculty to build relationships between the college and local secondary schools.