Lindsey Beckwith
Algebra 1

Southeast Polk Junior High School, Altoona

During my first year of teaching, I am deeply committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment where all students feel valued and empowered to learn. One of my primary goals is to break the negative stigma often associated with math by making math more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for every learner. Building strong, meaningful relationships with students is a top priority for me. I am genuinely excited to meet my first group of students, understand their unique perspectives, and support both their academic and personal growth. I am especially passionate about the Building Thinking Classrooms framework, and I look forward to exploring its strategies in depth. My goal is to implement student centered teaching practices that encourage curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Through this approach, I hope to cultivate a classroom culture where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities and every student feels strong in their ability to do well and succeed in math.

Building a "thinking classroom" is the heart of my instructional vision. Receiving funds from this grant would significantly support my efforts to create an engaging, student centered learning environment rooted in the Building Thinking Classrooms framework. These funds would help me purchase essential materials such as vertical whiteboards, dry erase markers, erasers, and manipulatives that foster collaboration and support the development of problem solving skills. Additionally, the grant would allow me to invest in professional development resources, such as books and workshops, that will deepen my understanding of effective Thinking Classroom strategies. Having access to these tools early in my career will not only enhance the learning experience for my students but also support my growth as an educator. With your support, I can create a math classroom where students think critically, and develop confidence in their mathematical abilities.

Parker Bekkerus

8th Grade Math

Greene County Middle School, Jefferson

I'm most looking forward to the connections that I get to make with my students. Yes, the math is awesome and I'd LOVE to get a handful (or two) of kids hooked on it, but it's more important to me that every kid has positive experience at school and can learn a thing or two about life. I'm also excited to create a classroom of no judgement and really change these kids' mindsets revolving around math. It can be scary, but knowing that I'll be there and that it's okay to make mistakes is really reassuring for them!

The funds from this generous grant will help me set up my classroom with posters, math games, wall decor, and other various items that allow me to create a welcoming environment in my classroom. I believe that your classroom says a lot about you and how you teach, and I'd love to convey my idea of a "safe math space" through the decorations. This will greatly help me create those relationships that I can't wait to have with kids and allow them to unapologetically be themselves in my classroom!

Owen Gaul

7th grade Math
Regis Catholic Middle School, Cedar Rapids

I am most looking forward to being around students again, and getting to enjoy all of the inside jokes between different classes and camaraderie that is built between myself and the students and students with their peers. I student taught in the fall and had regular classes in the spring, and I definitely felt a void in not being in a classroom and around students for several months. While I like my content area and math is very fun (as we all know), working with kids is the reason why I teach and what makes me feel fulfilled at the end of a day. As a first year teacher, I may be seen as "young" and "cool," and I won't deny I wouldn't be mad if the kids see me that way. But I know no matter what I will get to be my authentic self, showing up each day with a smile, ready to prepare students for the life ahead of them with a valuable Catholic education.

This grant would go a long way in helping me attain the resources that I believe would help me most effectively teach my content to students. As a result of my student teaching experiences, I have become a believer in the Building Thinking Classroom model of math education. Having vertical whiteboard spaces for student groups to work is essential to the BTC model. Unfortunately, my classroom does not have a lot of whiteboards nor wall space. In my ideal classroom setup, I would increase the number of vertical whiteboards from about 5 to 8 in order to keep small group sizes and ample work space. If I were to receive this grant, I would plan to put the money towards those whiteboard spaces for student collaboration to thrive. Any other money could go towards physical materials like expo markers, calculators, and individual whiteboards, which I don't have a lot of right now as a brand new teacher.

Kayli Greer
7th and 8th Grade Math
ADM Middle School, Adel

I’m most looking forward to building relationships with my students and creating a classroom environment where they feel safe, supported, and capable, especially in math. I know that for many students, math can feel intimidating or frustrating but I am excited to help change that perspective by making the subject more engaging and approachable.

I also look forward to learning and growing as a professional. I know the first year will come with challenges, but I see those as opportunities to improve my practice, try new strategies, and reflect on what works best for my students. I’m eager to collaborate with experienced teachers, seek feedback, and be part of a school community that shares the goal of helping students succeed.

Most of all, I can’t wait for those moments when students who thought they "just weren’t good at math" suddenly understand a concept and feel proud of themselves. That’s the kind of impact I hope to make from day one and continue every day after.

These funds will be used to provide bright motivational posters on the walls and to make my classroom a more inviting space. I also will use these funds to provide items for students to get moving around the room and partake in vertical learning rather than sitting at a desk all class period. This will help engage their brain and retain more information that they are learning in math.

Kathryn Helterbran
Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2
Pekin High School, Packwood

I am looking forward to being a part of the school community. I experienced my practicum and student teaching in a school district where each graduating class has around 400 students, which I quickly learned that I like smaller school districts because I want to be able to see and know every face. I am also excited to build relationships with my students and peers. This also goes along with being in a smaller school district because I want to be able to build relationships with every students, even if I don't have them in my classroom.

This grant will help me buy resources for students that might not be able to buy them themselves. This includes folders, pencils, markers, hand sanitizer, tissues, etc. I would also use this fund to decorate the classroom and try to make it as warm and welcoming as possible. Then, with what I have left, I want to try to get some more clothes for warmer weather.

Laura Henry
5th Grade Math
Logan-Magnolia Elementary School, Logan

I am really looking forward to having my own classroom and to put into practice the strategies I have learned throughout my student teaching and Master's program. I am looking forward to implementing the Bridges curriculum, which I used during student teaching and when substitute teaching. This will be the first year that it is used in 5th grade in this school. I'm looking forward to the opportunities to be a facilitator rather than a lecturer and helping students be engaged in lessons and learn new math concepts, as well as building upon what they have already learned in previous grades. I can't wait to decorate my classroom, with math-related items and posters, creating a safe, enjoyable space where students are engaged and motivated to learn.

Although, the school has purchased a curriculum and all the manipulatives used to teach it, I would like to purchase math posters for the walls for my students to use as resources as well as to create an engaging environment. Additionally, I would like to purchase storage and organization options to help run an organized and stream-lined classroom. Finally, I would like to make use of online resources available for purchase to help enhance the students' learning experiences.

Lynn Hoeft
Grade 8 Pre-Algebra

John Adams Middle School Mason City, IA

Student teaching gave me the chance to see things that I could incorporate into my future classroom. I am excited to try creating a welcoming and open classroom environment. I also get to set my own classroom routines and expectations. Something I enjoyed as a student teacher was creating connections with the students. I am excited to be the teacher, not just the student teacher this time. There are many ways that connecting with students and finding their interests can help you enhance student engagement in the lesson. Eighth grade and middle school in general is an exciting time because they are opinionated and independent. They also hold a very big importance on goals and interests that they have in their lives. One of the biggest things that I am looking forward to is growing as a teacher, and getting teaching advice from the teachers in the building. I am eager to take in my first year as an experience to learn from and get better from there. I Believe with each year of teaching I will learn something new and continue to grow and become a better teacher for my students. I think it can go without saying that your first year of teaching can be stressful in general.

Many times teachers are paying for materials for their students because they only receive a certain amount to spend in their classroom from their school district. I believe that getting this grant during my first year of teaching will allow me to provide more material things for my classroom. One of the biggest things is I will be able to provide my students with basic materials that they will need to use in my class. I also think there are many other aspects that I could get for my students to enhance their learning as well. I think with this money there will be things that I could buy that could enhance my lessons, or maybe get opportunities to change my lesson to make it more engaging.

Kenzie James
Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus
Baxter Secondary, Baxter

I’m looking forward to the autonomy that I will have, but also the chance for me to see on a deeper level how all the different math classes connect together. This will help me be a better teacher as I will be able to explain why we do what we do and make relations back to previous learning, and how the current learning will help future learning.

As I am the only high school math teacher in a small district, there are a lot of supplies that I will need to supply for my classroom. I am grateful for all the resources my district has provided for me and will provide for me, but I know there is a lot more I can incorporate in my classroom including Wipebook boards to promote vertical learning where I will have students work together around the room on practice problems without my assistance in order to build their critical thinking skills.

Dustin Mason
6th Grade Math
Greene County Middle School, Jefferson

As a first-year teacher I am looking forward to creating my own norms, building new relationships with staff and students and developing my own style of teaching. I can't wait to see my new curriculum, to plan my year out and set up my goals for next year.

Funds from this grant will allow me to outfit my new room with everything I will need to have a successful year.

Emma Spurlock
8th Grade and Geometry
Northwest Middle School, Iowa City

I am looking forward to being able to make connections with students I am able to call my own. I believe that creating those relationships with your students is very important because I want them to feel comfortable in my classroom and use their voice without feeling like they are being shut down. Having classroom collaboration is something that is also very important because having students work with their peers helps them learn how to work with others and it can also be a clarifying thing too if students are stuck on something during class.

Being a first year teacher, there are going to be a lot of things I will have to provide for my students and my classroom since I have nothing at the moment that will be given to me for my future classroom. Being able to put this grant towards the essential things I will need for my classroom would be extremely helpful so I am able to have things for my students and be able to make my classroom a comfortable and welcoming space for students.

Anna Sullivan
6th Grade Math
North Middle School Sioux City

I am eager to collaborate with my co-teacher to explore innovative strategies that enhance support for English Language Learners. I look forward to engaging with my students and working alongside a team of experienced educators. Additionally, I am committed to actively participating in professional development opportunities that will refine my teaching skills. I am confident in my ability to create a safe and supportive environment, guiding all students toward achieving their full potential.

These funds will help me as a first year teacher to afford students supplies, math manipulatives, translation devices, and materials for visual aids (anchor charts).

Elias Tibbott
Algebra 1
Waterloo East High School, Waterloo

In my first year of teaching I am most looking forward to having my own classroom and cultivating a good learning environment and relationships with my students. Field experience and student teaching at UNI only last up to a couple months in which I was able to create strong relationships with students, but I am excited to have relationships that grow over the full school year. At a school like Waterloo East where there are a lot of challenges these students face outside of school, I hope to be a place where the students feel welcomed and safe. Many of these kids only have one trusting adult or a bad home life so I am excited to grow those relationships and bonds to help them through their high school careers. I am eager to start this first year and create those bonds and relationships.

The funds from this grant would greatly help and improve my classroom. This grant would allow me to have more whiteboard space and markers for a thinking classroom to get my kids working in vertical spaces. It would also allow the ability for more school supplies to be available for my students who are in need. This grant and the classroom improvements would hopefully lead to better attendance, classroom environment, and student morale. It would allow me to get creative with lesson plans and materials to use in various lessons.

Casandra Tounjian
Honors Geometry and Algebra 1
East High School, Sioux City

I am looking forward to finally having a classroom that I can call my own! A lot of my field experiences and student-teaching were figuring out what teaching methods I thought would work best for me.

Some things I like to do are 1). making small talk with students very early on to establish relationships, 2). encouraging students to be more in charge of their learning, 3). not being afraid to be silly and goofy, and 4). ensuring that the classroom has character to it, which I try to do with fun lighting and my fire music playlist (I have gotten many compliments from students).

Ultimately, I am looking forward to finally stepping into the role that I have been working towards for so long. One of my main goals around math teaching is letting students know that learning mathematics is an ongoing journey, and it is not always going to be linear. There are going to be ups and downs, and mistakes are perfect learning opportunities.

These funds will be primarily dedicated to my students. I always grappled with whether I should have a strictly government-funded classroom, or if I should pour from my own glass to buy things that I know would help my students in the long run. Of course, school supplies are a big must, but being in Sioux City, I know a lot of my students are from low-income families, so along with school supplies, I want to always have snacks and essentials on hand for my students.

Sky Weber
Middle and High School Math
Iowa Valley, Marengo

I am most looking forward to being able to build connections with students and colleagues. I am so excited to be able to teach students every day and be able to teach in ways that they learn best. I also am ready to be like a sponge and just absorb everything I can from my colleagues. I want to ask questions and be able to learn and try new things in my classroom. Also just having a classroom I can call my own is going to mean so much to me too.

Funding from this scholarship will help me so much with my first year teaching. I will be able to get more mathematical tools that students will be able to use in my classroom. I’ll be able to do more hands-on lessons with my students because I’ll be able to afford more materials needed for hands-on learning. I will also be able to make my classroom space more welcoming for my students (adding mathematical decor, motivational quotes, welcoming seating arrangements, etc.). Lastly, I will be able to get some teaching supplies that will help me do my job to the best of my ability. Like I said, I just want to make my classroom and my teaching a positive experience for students and this scholarship will help me do exactly that.