A NEW WAY UP THE MOUNTAIN
Learning is like climbing a mountain.
Everyone starts at the same place – the bottom. Each step upward builds on the last. The higher you go, the harder it gets.
How hard depends on the individual. Some race ahead. Some make steady progress. And some get stuck along the way,
That’s especially true for math. And it’s why we are excited to introduce Dr. David Muller as math specialist for all grades at Seabury School.
David has taught math at our middle school since 2019. Starting next fall he will lead a collective effort to find the best way to scale the peaks of math for every child.
“This is about taking what we are already doing well and doing it better,” said Head of School Sandi Wollum.
Specifically we want to increase the continuity of math instruction as students move from grade to grade. “We want to make sure that the skills and concepts we emphasize in the lower grades provide the foundation for every student to succeed in the upper grades,” Sandi said.
We also want to ensure our most mathematically minded students – the ones highest up the mountain – remain challenged and connected to other students who share their abilities.
“Our goal in every subject is to provide an adequate level of challenge for every child and have the pace of their learning be defined by the student,” Sandi said.
The position of math specialist is new. We haven’t nailed down all the details. But we know that David will serve as a professional resource for all of our teachers while also working directly with our most advanced students as they explore math in deeper and more complex ways.
Along with many years of experience as a high school math teacher, David brings a broad perspective to his new role. In addition to a doctoral degree in math education, he has a strong passion for arts and humanities.
Perhaps that’s why David believes there’s more than one way to solve a problem – even when it comes to something as seemingly rigid as math. “I always try to give kids space and time to solve a problem their way,” said David. “I go with what they’re thinking and we build from there.”
David, who will continue to teach math at the middle school, plans to meet with teachers and students over the next few months. The idea is to identify issues and concerns so he can hit the ground running in his expanded role this fall.
“I am looking forward to working together with students, teachers and staff to find new and innovative ways to learn mathematics,” he said.