About Mrs. Ward

My name is Lydia Ward, and I am preparing for my career as an elementary educator! I am super passionate about helping students see themselves as capable learners in all subjects, especially mathematics. My goal is to create a safe and supportive classroom where students can take on challenges, learn from mistakes, and build confidence in their mathematical thinking. I believe every child can and will succeed in mathematics when given the right encouragement/tools.

My Mathematics Learning Experience

Memory 1: In 3rd grade, I remember working with multiplication flashcards. I would always feel super nervous when asked to answer them quickly, but over time, I realized the practice really helped with my confidence. This experience taught me that consistent practice builds both skill and confidence.

Memory 2: In high school geometry, I struggled with proofs because I didn’t fully understand the reasoning steps. However, when my teacher encouraged group discussions, I was about to see problems from different perspectives. This showed me the importance of collaboration and communication in mathematics learning.

Grows and Glows:

Glows (as a math learner in school):

  1. I do well with memorization and recalling basic math facts.

  2. I can find creative ways to solve word problems when given the chance to think critically.

Grow (as a math learner in school):

  • I found myself struggling with applying formulas to new problems, especially in algebra.

Glow (current mathematical mindset):

  • I value mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth!

Grow (current mathematical mindset):

  • I am still working on being patient with myself when learning new or complex math ideas.

"The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple."

S. Gudder

Mathematics Instruction:

Recent research emphasizes that effective mathematics instruction is way more than just memorizing facts or procedures, it focuses on problem-solving, reasoning, and making connections between concepts (Ehlert, 2015). Instructional shifts emphasize the importance of student-centered learning, where students are able to engage in discussions, explore multiple strategies, and develop the ability to work through challenging problems. Equity plays a huge role in mathematics education, as students’ beliefs about their own abilities are often set or influenced by cultural, social, and classroom factors. By teaching a mathematical mindset, teachers help students believe that their abilities are able to grow with effort, leading to greater motivation and success in the classroom and outside of it. Encouraging collaboration, valuing mistakes as part of the learning process, and providing easier entry points for all students are essential practices for fostering both value and achievement in mathematics classrooms!

My Mathematics Teaching Philosophy:

I believe that mathematics should be taught more as a subject of exploration, creativity, and problem-solving rather than just the simple memorization. As a future teacher, I am going to try my best to encourage my students to see math as a tool they can use in real life and as a subject they can also enjoy! I will do my best to create a classroom where students feel safe to share their ideas, ask questions, and learn from mistakes without fear of judgment.

My role as a teacher will be to guide students through working on hands-on activities, discussions, and group learning opportunities that make math meaningful to each of them. I will use tons of representations—such as visuals and technology—to help my students understand difficult concepts. I will also differentiate instruction so that every student, regardless of their background or ability, can access the content and feel successful.

Building a mathematical mindset is and will be an important part of my teaching. I want my students to know that being “good” at math isn’t something you are just born with—it comes from trying, practicing, and not giving up. As a teacher, I will also keep working on my own mindset by facing challenges and learning new ways to teach. My goal is to encourage students to see math with curiosity and confidence, and to believe that they can learn and succeed.