Testimonials

"I so enjoy your leadership and working with you. You are so good at what you do."

"Laurie has that quality you are looking for in a professional development presenter. She works to ensure training sessions are meaningful and tailored to our districts specific needs. Laurie has a balanced approach between the stresses of today’s classroom on teachers while also demanding high quality math instruction for all students. Her professional development sessions leave our teachers and academic coaches wanting more and we have seen a mindset shift in our confidence toward high-level math instruction. Challenging students in the math classroom is our goal and Laurie has helped our teachers make significant strides toward that goal."

"As I have tried and continue to try productive struggle within my classes [after we had our PD on productive struggle], I am constantly amazed at the students who CAN actually come up with the answers! Students I knew for sure would not do anything, are now actually trying and surprising themselves with correct answers! They grin so big and it makes them want to work harder! It makes my heart happy to see them finally excited about Math!!!"

"[Our work together] has provided me with many resources and ideas that I have implemented in my classroom and found them to be very effective. For example, the use of different representations. This method provides opportunities for students to show mastery of the concept in different ways. I used to underestimate my students. They produced pictures, graphs, and explanations that impressed me and my peers. They took ownership of their learning. Another way that my students show ownership of their learning is the opportunity for them to create posters. In the past, I used to create them myself which increased my workload. I remember Laurie telling us “Don’t post any premade posters or vocabulary, let the students do it for you. Let them carry the load”. She was right. They are proud of their products. The posters became proof that learning is taking place in my classroom. 

The one thing I have been trying and working on is the use of higher order of questions as part of the daily assignments. I used to provide my students with 20 or more practice skills. No open-ended questions, no multiple choice. I have always complained about my students not being able to read for comprehension. I realized that I was not giving them the opportunity to read with the appropriate assignments."

"One of my most enjoyable teaching experiences this year in 8th grade math class was when I allowed the students to struggle as they completed a math task [after we had our PD on productive struggle]. This was very difficult for me to let go of the reins and it was difficult for the students to just start the task all on their own. However, after a few minutes of me walking around the classroom, I witnessed students collaboratively sharing ideas, solutions, and strategies as they were completing the math task on transformations.  My role in supporting the productive struggle task was to go to the different groups and ask questions with limited assistance.  Then, I stepped back and watched the students discuss with one another and allowed conceptual understanding to unfold right in front of my eyes.  My students were engaged (even the ones that typically do not contribute), my students were participating, and my students were eager to share with their classmates. The students were still discussing the task and their accomplishments when exiting my classroom.  My big takeaway from allowing productive struggle in math class is that the struggle allowed the students to build their confidence and deepen their understanding of math and how to approach problems.  "

"I began to reflect on my teaching career. Where I started and where I am now. I just wanted to say thank you for all the opportunities that you have given me. All the strategies that you have given have really impacted my teaching. So again, thank you, thank you, thank you."