We are proud to introduce our 41st Sunday Spotlight, featuring Alison Cox who is a teacher in Des Arc, Arkansas. Alison enjoys empowering her students and helping them achieve high scores on the ACT. She like using the math content in Edulastic to help her students prepare for state testing. In her free time you’ll find her spending time with her family and baking. It was a pleasure getting to know Alison and hope you enjoy the interview!
Alison Cox
Teacher
Des Arc High School
Des Arc, Arkansas
8 years working in education
“Try it. You have to play. You will make mistakes. You will learn. Find a partner to learn with you and hold each other accountable. Have fun with it. Make questions. Make quizzes. Chat with Edulastic when you are lost and confused. Learn. Grow.”
– Alison Cox
Get to know Alison Cox
What do you love about working in education? What motivates you?
The light bulb moments. I love when I am teaching and a student says, “Oh, I get it!!” That moment is what I teach for! It’s what I live for. I love knowing a kid is learning and understanding in my classroom. I am even more pumped when I hear students explain lessons to each other and create their own lightbulb moments. Empowering my students is absolutely powerful to me!
Why did you become a teacher?
My decision to be a teacher was apparent when I was in elementary school. I spent money on Expo markers and whiteboards to teach my stuffed animals. As I grew older, the passion for teaching developed as I became a peer tutor in middle school, an America Reads tutor in college, and an advocate for equity in education with Teach for America. I want my own children to live and work in a world where all kids have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
What is your “Edulastic story”?
In planning for review for our state test, the math department was searching the internet for unique and challenging assessments. We stumbled upon Edulastic and discovered the immense library of math problems! Plus, it was free! Forever. What’s not to love?!
Describe your Edulastic “aha” moment.
When I tried the premium version of Edulastic and was able to shuffle questions, make students anonymous while presenting data while group, and gained access to lots of free content. These advantages made me realize Edulastic was the bee’s knees! No need to search and copy and paste a million different resources. They were all here, on one site. Each question was aligned to my content, my state standards, and my vision of rigor.
What are your teaching/learning goals this year?
My students to score a 23 or higher composite score on the ACT.
Favorite motivational quote:
“Learn from every single being, experience, and moment. What joy it is to search for lessons and goodness and enthusiasm in others.” Eve Marie Carson
Tips for new Edulastic users:
Try it. You have to play. You will make mistakes. You will learn. Find a partner to learn with you and hold each other accountable. Have fun with it. Make questions. Make quizzes. Chat with Edulastic when you are lost and confused. Learn. Grow.
Quick Facts
Favorite Edulastic question type?
Edulastic certified. These are high rigor questions that genuinely push student understanding beyond recall.
Favorite snack while using Edulastic
Salsa and chips
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Spring or Fall?
Fall
Computer?
Chromebook
Favorite Book:
Eat, Pray, Love
Best tactic for getting the class quiet?
Behavior narration and a countdown!
Must- have classroom Decor:
Student made college and career pennants
Favorite time of the school year and why:
Homecoming week. Our kids are so excited to come to school in themed outfits and joy spreads the halls!
Greatest accomplishment in the classroom this past year:
Assisted a student in moving his math ACT score from an 18 to a 26!
How do you like to spend your free time?
Spending time with family and baking!!
Join Alison Cox and other educators:
- Learn more about how Alison Cox uses Edulastic in the classroom.
- Sign up for Edulastic for free
- Learn more about the Sunday Spotlight