Each Friday during the school year, we will spotlight one of our M3T Fellows. This week, let’s meet Jessica Theys from Wirt County Middle School!
Jessica Theys
M3T Noyce Fellow – Cohort 1
Middle School Mathematics Teacher
Wirt County Middle School
Wirt County Schools
Twitter: @unowattheyssay
Number of years teaching: 8
Positions and Roles: 8th Grade Mathematics Teacher, STEM Makerspace Lead, Leadership Team, Wirt County High School Girls Basketball
Professional awards, distinctions, and points of pride: Wirt County Middle School Teacher of the Year 2019-2020
Interesting personal facts: Life is her 2 daughters (Charlotte and Allana), her 1 son (Davis), her Kindergarten sweetheart, her running buddy Nash, her 50 acres, her 15 cows, her 12 chickens, her pet deer and turkey, and her 22 basketball daughters
Why are you excited to be part of the M3T project?
“A stream becomes stagnant when it stops moving. I do not want to become stagnant. M3T will push me and move me. There will be a direct correlation with my personal growth and the growth of those around me to form a raging river of learning for all stakeholders.”
Why do you teach mathematics?
“Mathematics is not only a subject but a way of thinking. My focus is to promote problem solving and critical thinking through perseverance and hard work. Numbers and symbols are the vehicle through which I communicate and teach these essential life skills.”
What are you focused on improving about mathematics teaching?
“Math is challenging. This is not a bad thing. Challenge often gets a negative connotation but I hope to help change the feelings of fear and anxiety many have when hearing “math” to curiosity, determination and desire to master. Challenge is a positive!”
Final Thoughts:
The most exciting part of M3T for me is the opportunity to network with teachers throughout the state and share ideas. It has been a great opportunity to build up my teacher toolbox of techniques, ideas, approaches and more that ultimately impact my students who are the most important part of this equation!
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.
