Math meets Art meets Mission

Have you seen the beautiful art created by my PreCalculus students hanging in the Inner Court for the Winton Arts Fest?  I asked the students to reflect on what defines a Carondelet or DLS student, using the schools’ mission statements as well as their own experience.  They then created a picture that exemplified their chosen aspect of the community using only graphs of the Algebraic functions covered throughout the year.  They utilized Desmos and Geogebra to create these creative and beautiful mathematical pieces of art.


They are hanging in the corner nearest to room 2. Please take a look at their work as well as their reflections. Some are touching and insightful, others challenge us to do better as a community. I love that this project used the power of Math and functions (yes, they are so much more than just formulas!) to visually communicate their deep and personal connections to our community.



Here’s a sneak peek of a few:




One group even made me out of graphs of functions and wrote words that I will cherish forever.  Doesn’t get much better than that!







They are the mission

One of the best days of my career…

Is when I sit in an English class to listen to a group of seniors discussing the forces that repress a people’s voice, and I think oh yeah we’re in good hands with this generation…they’ll bring about change.

Is when I “blow” 80 minutes of valuable (yes, I truly believe it is) AP French class, to listen to my students spill out their heartfelt feelings and thoughtful ideas about why some students drink and why some don’t; and I think oh yeah we’re in good hands with these kids…they think very carefully, feel very deeply and care for others very genuinely. They are the mission.

Ted Talk that is listed as top ten for educators

Elizabeth recommending a Ted Talk?  I can see you smirking through my screen 😉
But I love them so and so want to share !!! (oh, FYI I did watch the Susan Cain “Quiet” Ted Talk brought up during the interactive session at back to school planning days)…

Ok so today, I wanted to share a really short and simple Ted Talk.  7 minutes long (4.25 if you use my play it faster life hack), this 2013 talk was cried it in not one but TWO sessions when I went to ISTE.  I had never heard it — yes I know…

The premise is so very simple and her advice resonates deeply as I spend my evenings at Carondelet making schedule changes and answering parent emails about schedule changes and must-haves.

I think her message will speak to all of us at Carondelet… her message is one of the reasons we have all joined to be with kindred spirits on this crazy innovation journey… but we have  all encountered the type of teacher she describes at some point in our career.

The fact is, teaching is not about being best friends with your students, but it is about making human connections.  She explores this concept in a very passionate way.  It is a nice reminder of our shared humanity and, I believe, a great Ted twist on our yearly theme of unifying love!

Hope you enjoy it… hope it reinforces your love for that kid who has mastered the snotty eye roll 😉