Molly Rockstroh
INCREASING CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING IN THE CLASSROOM, EASILY AND IMMEDIATELY

Molly is a mathematics teacher and math department chair at DePere High School in DePere, Wisconsin.  She holds a BA in Applied Mathematics and a MS in Mathematics Education.  She currently teaches College Credit and Advance Placement coursed, including PreCalculus, Calculus I, and Calculus II.  She has also earned 30 credits in Space Science and Astronomy and has taught Space Exploration at the high school level.

Molly traveled to Japan o a Fulbright Memorial Scholarship in 2004, spending a significant amount of time observing classroom instruction and interviewing both students and teachers.  Her focus of study was to compare and contrast the educational systems in Japan and the United States.

Molly also spent last summer at the University of Chicago as part of a writing team for the UCSMP PreCalculus textbook.  Her experience in Japan and as an author opened her eyes to some exciting and accessible ways to increase the conceptual understanding of her students.  She will share with you the lessons she had leaned form Japan and the University of Chicago Writing Project.  Molly will also explain two strategies which can easily be implemented in your classroom and make a difference in the comprehension of subject matter by your students.

Molly's personal experience, her passion for teaching, and  her enthusiasm for life will inspire you to take a chance to try something new.  She will have you rethinking your teaching style and asking yourself, "What can I do to get better and how soon can I do it?"