Janet Maguire
Nashoba Brooks School
Concord, MA

"There are significant benefits to teaching at a small school. The learning curve is high because each adult has to fill many roles. The environment here is so supportive of innovative teaching that my practice and the practices of my colleagues are constantly growing and changing."

"At this school, Jan's students see themselves as successful mathematicians. They consistently list math as their favorite subject. Jan alters her students' self-concepts as learners. When they first enter her class, they seek a different way of knowing. When they depart, they have within their grasp enhanced skills and a mentality that thwarts boundaries in all disciplines."

Janet's Middle School math practices are innovative because she writes her own textbook for each math topic. The structure of these textbooks incorporates specific skill goals and allows for individualizing instruction. Developing students are offered enough practice and review to become competent while high flyers move quickly through mastery levels and on to enrichment work. Enrichment work is available to all students as time and pace are never a prerequisite. Janet values all learning styles and is wedded to the notion of real life mathematics. Whether, scouring grocery circulars to comparison food shop or filling out tax forms, mortgage and credit card applications to learn about loans, students are connecting learning to the real world. The class is loud, active and energetic, with every student actively participating. Math is learned; math is joyful in Janet's world.

Other Highlights:

• Head of the Math Department, 1986 - present
• Head of the Middle School at TASIS in Surrey, England, 1979 - 1985
• Principal, Pelham Elementary School in Pelham, MA, 1997-1979
• Founder and Director of Summer math Lab for students ages 4-14 while integrating math with Science and Art, 1992
• Evaluator on ECIS accreditation team evaluating The Anglo-American School in Moscow, 1981
• Frequent Presenter at IAM, NCTM conferences
• Massachusetts Software Foundation Award for leadership in technology
• National CRIS Award for school wide Community Service Programs, 1991
• Outstanding Teacher Award, London Independent Schools Association, 1984
• Fellowship, National Arts and Humanities Council for graduate work at Harvard University on Moral Development, 1977