#M3TFellowFriday: Kelly Barr

Each Friday during the school year, we will spotlight one of our M3T Fellows. We begin this week with Kelly Barr from Gilmer County High School!

Kelly Barr

M3T Noyce Fellow – Cohort 1

7th Grade Math Teacher & 7th/8th Grade Computer Science Teacher

Gilmer County High School

Gilmer County Schools

Twitter: @kellybarr46

Number of years teaching: 21

Other roles & positions: PDS Coordinator with Glenville State College, Faculty Senate Treasurer, Staff Development Council

Professional awards, distinctions, and points of pride: Gilmer County Teacher of the Year (2016), Frequent Conference Speaker (FETC, NCTM, WVCTM, TCEA, SREB)

Interesting personal facts: Married with two children (11 and 7), avid Yankees fan, loves watching college football, enjoys baking and cooking

Barr, with Gilmer County colleagues (Melissa Jones and Rachael Tomblin), presenting at the 2020 WVCTM Conference

 Why are you excited to be part of the M3T project?

“I am looking forward to continuing the work I started as part of the [Benedum Foundation funded] pilot program in 2019. I am really hoping to be able to see even more growth with my students this year than last.”

Why do you teach mathematics?

“I teach mathematics to see students productively struggle with new ideas and concepts. There is nothing better than seeing the light bulb come on while a student is working on something they have been struggling with.”

What are you focused on improving about mathematics teaching?

“I am focused on meaningful mathematics conversations in my classroom. Students are not talking about math in productive or helpful ways. I am looking for something that will make those conversations more meaningful.” 

Barr, presenting learning from experience as an M3T Benedum Fellow at a December 2019 pilot project event at Pocahontas County High School

Spotlight Tweet

Check in each week on #M3TFellowFriday throughout the school year to meet another M3T Fellow. You can find a listing of all of the M3T Fellows and stay up-to-date with the work of the M3T network at our website, https://m3twv.org. You can also follow us on Twitter, @m3t_wv.