O.P.T. IN! Your Ultimate Planning Guide
âž” Exclusively for Educators and Administrators
By Dena Silver, M.Ed.
The Importance of Math Education in Future Careers
Research shows that 94% of jobs require basic math skills. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 28% growth in math-related occupations between 2020 and 2030 . As such, preparing students for college and careers with highly effective math teachers is essential for their future success.
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The Vision
In an educational system where the math gap does not exist, the Optimal Planning Toolkit stands as a personalized resource for each educator. This toolkit is a comprehensive collection of math problems, lesson plans, concepts, ideas, and strategies for addressing gaps in knowledge, all tailored to support the journey toward becoming an effective math teacher. Recognizing that each educator has unique learning and teaching styles, no two toolkits are identical. However, each toolkit is designed to assist educators in building robust mathematical foundations, ultimately fostering higher-level thinking in students and preparing them for success in college and their careers.
The Mission
To assist and encourage first-year and veteran educators, substitutes, paraprofessionals, instructional aides, student teachers, and tutors who teach basic math skills, the goal is to utilize classroom data, research, statistics, and personal experiences. Educators will first identify and address their own math deficiencies and misconceptions. Then, they will use this knowledge to develop an Optimal Planning Toolkit designed to close the math gap. By completing their own Optimal Planning Toolkit, educators will be better equipped to teach and support all students, including those with math deficiencies.