Edulastic Innovator Spotlight: Mary Ann Gore

We are thrilled to introduce Edulastic Innovator Spotlight member Mary Ann Gore! Mary is an 8th grade math teacher in Kennett, Missouri. Her “favorite thing about Edulastic are the various questions types that are available”. We enjoyed getting to know Mary and hope you do too!

Get to know Mary Ann Gore

What inspired you to work in education?

I was blessed to grow up in a home with 2 amazing educators. My mother retired from teaching high school math and my father is a retired athletic director/football coach. Seeing the effect they had on their students, year after year, motivated me to make my own difference. I love working with middle school students.

Please sum up your teaching philosophy in a few sentences?

It is important that I provide my students with the best mathematical foundation possible before sending them to high school. For some this is more about boosting their confidence level when it comes to math. All students can learn, they just don’t learn at the same pace, or on the same level.

How did you learn about Edulastic? What is your Edulastic story?

A few years ago, I attended a Teacher Leader Conference. I was extremely blessed to have a teacher within my group that introduced us to Edulastic. I have used it within my classroom since that conference. Through professional development and other conferences, I have shared Edulastic with as many teachers I could reach. Many have found ways to incorporate Edulastic within their own classrooms.

What do you love about Edulastic? How do you use it in your classroom?

My favorite thing about Edulastic has always been the various questions types that are available. Being able to provide students with questions types outside of simple multiple choice and short answers is vital to ensuring students do not simply recite, or guess, answers. Within my classroom, I use Edulastic for end of unit assessments, mid-unit assessments, and weekly quizzes. I have also used Edulastic within group settings, allowing students to work together and assist other students with problems. Using it in this method reinforces the skill for some students and allows for peer-instruction time for others.

What tips do you have for teachers who are new to Edulastic?

Go through each quiz and take it yourself before assigning it to your students. This will allow you find any glitches, or errors, before giving it to students. Also, find a way to make Edulastic fit YOUR students and make it work.

Share an #EduVictory from the past year. In other words, do you have a particular success story that has happened in your classroom or school?

One of my favorite Educlastic memories from the past year is my algebra 1 students BEGGING me to set up Edulastic assignments for every lesson, so they could practice. They loved the way the questions challenged them to think outside the box and work through the problems. Seeing them get excited about learning was a proud moment!

Fun Facts

Favorite subject to teach:

Ironically, my favorite subject has always been history. Yes, I know! My favorite math lesson to teach is systems of equations.

Favorite book:

J.R.R Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy

What subjects do you use Edulastic for?

Mathematics

Favorite movie:

Gone with the Wind

Favorite type of question on Edulastic:

Numeric or Drag and Drop

Must have classroom decor:

Anything that makes your classroom both fun and appealing, while showing off your personality. The decor you use can go a long way to drawing students in to your classroom. I love to use quotes by coaches, authors, and other historical figures.