Each Friday this Fall, we will introduce one of our new Cohort 3 M3T Fellows. This week, let’s meet Nancy Mittan (Stacy) from West Preston School!
Nancy Mittan (Stacy)
M3T Noyce Fellow – Cohort 3
Middle School Mathematics Teacher
West Preston School
Preston County Schools
Twitter: Nance_Pantsxo
Number of years teaching: 7
Other roles & positions: School Leadership Team, Faculty Senate Secretary, Delta Sigma Pi District Director
Professional awards, distinctions, and points of pride: WVCTM Middle School Math Teacher of the Year 2021, West Preston School Teacher of the Year 2021
Interesting personal facts:
I grew up in Preston county outside of Morgantown and spent my summers on Cheat Lake; my husband and I have a ski boat and spend as much time as possible enjoying the water. When we aren’t on the lake, I enjoy getting outside with our dog, Darcy, traveling to new places, and getting lost in a good mystery novel.
My husband, Tim, is also a middle school teacher. If it weren’t for both of us starting out our careers at West Preston, we may have never met. While we don’t work together anymore, we shared a classroom wall for our first several years as teachers!
I have an undergraduate degree in Marketing and was initiated as a brother in the Professional Business Fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. Even though I decided to step away from business as a career, I am still involved in a leadership role as the Delta Sigma District Director.
Why are you excited to be part of the M3T project?
I am excited to be part of a network of phenomenal educators who want nothing but the best for their students and are motivated to work collectively to improve mathematics education and learning.
Being part of the M3T project gives me the space to grow as an educator and as a teacher leader. I can’t wait to see the positive impact on students and have new experiences for personal growth as a result of this project.
Why do you teach mathematics?
I teach mathematics to build my students’ confidence to do things they previously thought were ‘too hard’ and see themselves as capable. My hope is students will take that confidence along with problem solving skills to be more successful in the future, within and outside of the classroom.
What are you focused on improving about mathematics teaching?
I am focused on changing students’ mindset about mathematics and how they feel about themselves as mathematics students. I want my students to recognize that mathematics is applicable to their lives while also seeing themselves as capable.
Final thoughts:
I am honored to be part of the M3T project and to have the privilege of learning from and with these like-minded educators. Learning as an educator is never finished; I can’t think of a better, more supportive group of people to work with in improving my practice to be the best for my students.
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 stay up-to-date with all of the activity of our network by following us on Twitter, @m3t_wv, and on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/m3twv.
