Ms. Fleming, the newest addition to the Math Department at Emerson Junior-Senior High School, has had a smooth and positive start to her first year. She’s currently teaching Math 8 and Algebra I to 8th graders, and is already embracing Emerson’s tight-knit community and strong academic offerings.
Having come from a school with a different environment, Ms. Fleming was surprised by how close the members of the student body are with one another. When asked about differences between Emerson and her previous school, she noted the strong, long-standing relationships among the students. “Most of the students have known each other for many years,” she said. “This was not the case at my old school.”
She also noticed something unique about the school’s curriculum. When asked what surprised her the most about Emerson, she said, “I am very surprised to see how many elective classes are offered to Emerson students.”
When asked why she chose Emerson, Ms. Fleming pointed to the warmth of the school culture. “All the students and faculty I met during my interviews were all very friendly. There was just a great vibe to the school,” she said.
She’s also focused on keeping her classroom engaging and inclusive. In response to how she makes math fun for her students, she said, “I try to incorporate a lot of different activities in class so students can show their different strengths.”
When questioned how she handles challenges in the classroom, she said, “I encourage students to come to office hours and I try to build their confidence in problem solving.”
Looking ahead, Ms. Fleming has clear goals for her students. She hopes that by the end of the year, they’ll not only be stronger in math, but also more self-assured. She’s excited to continue building relationships and getting involved in the school community.
She shared her answers when prompted about her hopes for her first year at Emerson, she said she wants to be a source of support and encouragement for those around her.
“I hope to be a positive addition to the community,” Ms. Fleming said, already proving to be just that.
