#M3TFellowFriday: Jennifer Nail-Cook

Each Friday during the school year, we will spotlight one of our M3T Fellows. This week, let’s meet Jennifer Nail-Cook from Pocahontas County High School!

Jennifer Nail-Cook

M3T Noyce Fellow – Cohort 1

High School Mathematics Teacher

Pocahontas County High School

Pocahontas County Schools

Twitter: @Mrs_NailCook

Number of years teaching: 10

Positions and Roles: Teaches grades 9 through 12, faculty senate president, computer science and engineering teacher, VEX robotics team co-coach, and yoga club sponsor

Professional awards, distinctions, and points of pride: WVCTM Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2020, Pocahontas County Teacher of the Year in 2019. WVCTM Presenter 2016-2020

Interesting personal facts: She enjoys hiking and working on trails in Watoga State Park, video and board games, she is an avid reader, and has been known to sing and dance to show tunes in the kitchen!

Jennifer and the VEX team at the state championship in 2020!

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

“Being a part of this the last couple years did more to grow my teacher network than anything I’d ever done before. I’m excited for this opportunity to continue to grow in such crazy times, while staying in the classroom.”

Why do you teach mathematics?

“Those times when you really figure something out is a moment that brings me great joy.  Math is a subject where you get to have those moments often, during problem solving, proof, and discussion, and it’s a beautiful thing to share.”

What are you focused on improving about mathematics teaching?

“I’m currently bugged by grading. I really started to question what my grades are communicating about students.  I want to determine how to make sure grades communicate mastery of concepts and of mathematical practices.”

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.