We are proud to introduce our 33rd Sunday Spotlight, featuring Jonathan Schoolcraft who teaches Algebra I in Tennessee. Jonathan never expected to be a math teacher but now could never imagine teaching any other subject! He seeks to make his lessons relatable to the real world, warns against accidentally deleting your online test, and he loves the ability to build relationships with his students and share his passion of math with them. We hope you enjoy this Sunday Spotlight interview with Jonathan!

8th Grade Math/Algebra 1 Teacher
Northwest Middle School
Knoxville, TN
7 years working in education

I believe that all students can learn mathematics to high levels! I also believe in the power of student-teacher relationships as a way to bring about positive student achievement. In addition to this, I feel that every child deserves excellent teachers, and I strive to be this daily for my kids. I also believe that students should be allowed to retake assessments to demonstrate mastery. I also like to use the quote that I got from a friend of mine, which said “Chase the knowledge. The grade will follow.”

-Jonathan Schoolcraft

Get to know Jonathan Schoolcraft

What do you love about working in education? What motivates you?

I love being able to build relationships with kids, and I love to be able to share my passion of math to young minds! I think deep down that motivates me is when a kid finally gets it after working hard.

Why did you become a teacher?

I became a teacher because I always enjoyed school and learning. I also wanted to be able to share knowledge to students in a fun and engaging way. I also was inspired by several teachers I had in school. In fact, I always wanted to be a teacher, even when I was young. However, I never thought I would become a math teacher, but, now I wouldn’t want to teach anything else! I began my teaching career as a 2011 Corps Member in Teach for America’s Mississippi Delta region, where I taught Algebra I.

What is your “Edulastic story”?

I don’t know if I have an “Edulastic story” per se, but once I discovered it, I found it was a great fit.

Describe your favorite Edulastic “aha” moment.

I can’t honestly remember when or how I discovered Edulastic. I honestly think I was trying to do a Google Search for a free test generator with the types of questions that students see on newer state assessments and found Edulastic through that. Little did I know that it would be such an invaluable resource for my kids and me. I attribute Edulastic to my kids being able to navigate the multiple question types.

What are your teaching/learning goals this year?

Since we are so late in the school year, I would like to share my goals for the next school year.

1. Use Kagan Structures
2. I want to find more ways to make my lessons “real world.”
3. Be able to motivate ALL students!

Sum up your teaching philosophy in a few sentences!

Favorite motivational idea:

I think the quote that sticks out the most to me is a quote from the movie Sister Act 2, which states “If you wanna be somebody, If you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.”

Tips for new Edulastic users:

I would say start small with Edulastic, and I would find some students to use as “guinea pigs.” Also, DO NOT accidentally delete a test. I did this once after my kids had taken a big test. Needless to say, I owed them big time.

Quick Facts

Favorite Edulastic question type?

Drag and Drop, Multiple Select

Best tactic for getting the class quiet?

I raise my hand and say “hand high.” It works with the majority of kids. However, I am still looking for a tried and true method, so if you would like to share, I would gladly accept!

Must- have classroom Decor:

Kindest compliment you have received from a student or teacher?

I think that the kindest compliment that I have received from a student was the student telling me that they know I cared about them and their learning.

Funniest student moment?

During my first year teaching, a few of the kids at school started a rumor that I had got into a fight with another teacher over a Lean Cuisine meal. Allegedly, the other teacher got mad at me for trying to take his Lean Cuisine meal and took a tire iron to my car in retaliation. None of this was indeed true.

I actually had to get some car work done the weekend after this rumor spread, but it was to get some routine maintenance done, not because my car had been smashed with a tire iron.

Greatest accomplishment in the classroom this past year:

I have had a few students who really struggled in my class at the beginning of the year who are now rockstars in class! I couldn’t get them to participate at the beginning and now they are raising their hands on almost every question and taking risks!