Rebecca Stewart

Math Specialist & Consultant

My Story

My students know me as Mrs. Stewart and I nerd out about teaching math because I was once a struggling math student. I missed most of third, fourth, and sixth grade due to a chaotic upbringing. I transitioned 21 times between 12 different schools before I graduated from high school. My weak auditory processing (I’m a visual learner) and working memory (no mental scratch pad to hold onto numbers) made me feel insecure. Yet with hard work, my trusty calculator, and the support of a few amazing math teachers, I was able to take Calculus my senior year and pass the AP exam.

As a result, I have been dedicated to making math accessible and relatable to all students, particularly those who learn differently, since I became a teacher in 2005. My background allows me to appreciate the challenges many students experience learning math and apply this cognitive empathy to find fun and innovative ways to reduce anxiety and build understanding.

 

Educational Background

  • Master’s degree in Education Leadership as a Math Specialist for grades K–8 from George Mason University
  • Credential as an Educational Specialist for students with mild/moderate learning disabilities from San Francisco State University
  • Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a certficate in African-American Studies from Princeton University, where I played Division I ice hockey

Teaching Licenses & History

I have helped students find strategies to learn and retain math concepts across the country, in both high-needs urban communities, as well as in large and small schools that span the socioeconomic spectrum. I have taught and held teaching licenses in California, Oregon, Nebraska, and Virginia. I currently have a professional teaching license from Virginia in both special education and math.

Philosophy

I am a passionate educator who believes that all students can learn math! Students need time to identify the patterns and relationships that will help them retain concepts over time, rather than apply procedures without meaning. Allowing students to figure out how they learn best and finding strategies to help them access the material are critical steps to unlocking their true potential in math.

My Family

When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, and small dog. Here we are wearing our homemade, math-inspired Halloween costumes…can you figure out what we were?

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