She’s a math teacher that appears to do much more than write numbers on a whiteboard.
Tamara DeFord’s engaging approach to teaching geometry has been recognized by the BC Association of Mathematics Teachers (BCAMT) as the recipient of the 2019-20 Outstanding Elementary School Teacher Award.
The provincial honour is given to an instructor that demonstrates ‘strength in numeracy, teaching, innovation, curriculum, assessment practices, professional learning and mentorship.’
DeFord was selected based on her process of engaging her Grade 5 and 6 students at Ecole College Heights Elementary with the subject by having them work in groups and solve problems together.
“I want them to know that math is more than just calculations, that math is all around us in the world and that it can be really fun and really creative,” she explained in a School District 57 (SD57) release.
“I try to bring in context where I can and I try to let kids play with concepts and ideas where I can. I try to make it something that is more than just a textbook.”
As Grade 5-6 math entails fractions, decimals and financial literacy, SD57 says DeFord has implemented numerous hands-on techniques and activities.
This includes a math challenge to start the class and a project that allows students to create a city out of geometric shapes.
Tamara DeFord, a teacher at Ecole College Heights Elementary, gets her Grade 5-6 students engaged by having them work in groups on projects like 'Geomterocity.' (via SD57)While she’s humbled by the BCAMT’s recognition, DeFord says it’s important to keep students engaged in order to learn in the most effective way possible.
“I always think that 11-year-olds are really great at keeping you humble because I certainly don’t feel like I go into the classroom every day and have things work out perfectly. But it’s nice to be recognized for work that I’ve put in to learn about becoming a better math teacher and how to make math more exciting for kids, which is something I feel really strongly about.”
DeFord was nominated by SD57 District Numeracy Resource Teacher Marie Fanshaw.
She says DeFord shows passion for the subject, presents a positive learning environment in her classroom and is ‘forward-thinking’ when it comes to making math fun.
“When I visit Tamara’s classroom, her kids are always up and moving and doing math. She’s always getting them to do their learning, she’s not just a stand-and-deliver teacher. She’s very hands-on and she then builds their capacity by having them engage in some self-directed learning projects. She really builds her community of learners. It’s something Tamara has always been passionate about and I think that transfers through to her students.”
DeFord is in her 13th year as an SD57 teacher.
Before switching to Ecole College Heights Elementary in 2017, she taught at Quinson, Pineview and in the district’s Curriculum and Innovation department.
