MONROE — As math coordinator at Monroe School District, Kathleen Stilwell realized that too many students were scoring too low on tests.
She wanted to change that.
“I had an epiphany. The students need more time,” she said.
She reasoned that 55 minutes of class
time each day wasn’t enough for the students to get the help they needed. Last year, she started two algebra classes at Monroe High School. Each lasted two hours. In those classes, she taught 59 students who had either failed eighth-grade math or the math portion of a state standardized test.
Rather than letting the students take pre-algebra, Stilwell had all of them take first-year algebra. Since pre-algebra doesn’t count as a graduation requirement, she didn’t want them to risk falling behind in their attempts to earn a diploma.
All but one passed the course.
Her efforts were recognized last week by the public television station KCTS-TV, Channel 9. The station gave her the 2010 Golden Apple Award, which recognizes innovation and success in classrooms. There were six other teachers singled out for the award, as were three teaching programs.
Sultan Elementary School Principal Laurel Anderson was the only other winner in Snohomish County. Both Stilwell and Anderson received a trophy and $1,750 in grants to support their classrooms. The ceremony was held Friday at the Intiman Theatre in Seattle. The station is scheduled to air the ceremony at 7 p.m. Feb. 24.
Anderson received her award for her efforts in bringing Sultan School District teachers together to design lesson plans that get students more engaged in class discussions.
The district started its work in math classes and has already seen an increase in state test scores for third- through fifth-graders at Sultan Elementary.
It plans to use the same model for other subjects.
“We will continue to learn what blocks children in learning,” Anderson said. “We will bring tools to guide them through these blocks.”
Anderson said receiving the award was an honor and an inspiration for other educators.
In Monroe, Stilwell said the experience has been humbling and even overwhelming.
“It’s nice to be recognized for doing something different,” she said.
The students in Stilwell’s class attribute their success to the extra time she takes on each lesson. Do the math: two hour learning blocks are more than double the length of the typical high school algebra class.
“She actually explains things we are learning, not like other teachers who just skimmed by it,” said freshman Allex Soderman, 14.
Allex got D’s in middle school but now she’s earning B’s.
Classmate Kelly Malone, 14, said she’s finally in a class where she does not feel rushed.
“She goes step by step to make sure you understand,” Kelly said.
Stilwell’s success has spread to other algebra classes. Four other Monroe High School teachers this year are offering two-hour algebra classes for about 150 students.
The students are divided in three modules depending on level and skill. Each six-week period they are given an exam to see if they should be moved to more advanced modules, Monroe High Principal John Lombardi said. This way, some students can take algebra and geometry in one year, half the time it normally takes.
“No kid is being left behind, but also no kid is being held back,” Lombardi said.
Of the students in these classes, about 65 are expected to finish the school year with both geometry and algebra class credit.
Lombardi praised the work that Stilwell has done helping these math students.
“They gained confidence, and with that came success,” Lombardi said.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.
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