We are proud to introduce our 40th Sunday Spotlight, featuring Pete Husted who teaches math in Carrollton High School. Pete aims to help students to become the best people they can be, he is hoping to make his classroom self-paced, and if you walk into his classroom you might find some witty math posters. We enjoyed getting to know Pete and hope you the interview too!
Pete Husted
Math and Project Lead The Way Teacher
Carrollton High School
Carrollton, Ohio
10 years in education
“My greatest accomplish this past year is completely flipping into a self-paced classroom. Doing this has been a lot of work(and continues to be), but it has allowed me to reach all students on their level at their pace.”
– Pete Husted
Get to know Pete Husted
What do you love about working in education? What motivates you?
What I love most about teaching is seeing a student make a connection when working through a math problem. That ‘aha’ moment motivates me to continually improve my instruction and assessment so that I more connection can be made.
Why did you become a teacher?
When I was in middle school and high school, I had a lot of influential teachers and coaches who made a real difference in my life. At that time, many of those coaches where school teachers, and I could see the influence they had both inside and outside the classroom. Those actions really motivated me to be a teacher because I wanted to be able to influence lives in the same way mine was influenced. Not necessarily to become teachers or athletes, but to become the best person that they can be.
What is your “Edulastic story”?
I had been flipping my class for a couple of years, but needed something to gauge understanding of the videos the students were watching outside of class. I had come across an email from our director of programs that included Edulastic as a way to integrate technology into the classroom. I decided to give it a try, and it has been great ever since.
Describe your Edulastic “aha” moment.
I realized Edulastic was going to be a great fit for my classroom when I saw how closely it resembled the state testing that my students take in the spring. Besides content, I felt it was my job to make sure that my students would be familiar with the different types of questions they would encounter on the standardized test, and Edulastic does a great job of preparing my students in that way.
Pete’s students work their way through an Edulastic assessment.
What are your teaching/learning goals this year?
After some other testing that our district does, I realized that I needed to switch up my classroom approach to instruction and assessment. I am working to make my classroom self-paced with the help of Edulastic. My goal is to be able to reach all of my students on their level and at their pace.
Sum up your teaching philosophy in a few sentences!
My philosophy has always been that every student has the ability to learn, but not always in the same way. This philosophy is reflected in the way that I run my classroom.
Favorite motivational quote:
I have 2 motivating quotes.
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
Steve Prefontaine
“Let us run the race that is before us and never give up.”
Hebrews 12:1
Tips for new Edulastic users:
My tip for those that are new to Edulastic is to not get overwhelmed. There is so much that Edulastic has to offer, but you do not have to use all of it at once. Start small and work your way to more complex parts of Edulastic.
Quick Facts
Favorite Edulastic question type?
I am a math teacher, and so I have to go with either Graphing or Numeric.
Snack while using Edulastic:
Reese’s Pieces
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Spring or Fall?
Fall
Computer?
Mac
Book?
Anything dealing with the American Civil War, especially Gettysburg.
Best tactic for getting the class quiet?
For the most part I just ask for their attention for a short amount of time, and if that doesn’t work I threaten more math homework (just kidding).
Must- have classroom Decor:
I like witty math posters like ‘Math illiteracy affects 8 out of 5 people’.
Kindest compliment you have received from a student or teacher?
I recently received a letter from a former student stating how much they enjoyed me as a teacher, and because of my class, they are choosing to go into education to make a difference in students’ lives.
Funniest student moment?
So I chose to shave my head (after losing a bet as a coach with my basketball team), and my students find it hilarious to point out how shiny my head can get. So I don’t have just one moment that is the funniest, but rather a collection of bald jokes that my students like to use. I guess I can’t pull my hair out when students frustrate me if I don’t have any hair:)
How do you like to spend your free time?
Playing with my kid, trying new local restaurants with my wife, coaching, listening to music, running, and golfing
Favorite time of the school year and why:
I like the beginning of the year as you are meeting new students and setting the tone for the upcoming year.
Greatest accomplishment in the classroom this past year:
My greatest accomplish this past year is completely flipping into a self-paced classroom. Doing this has been a lot of work(and continues to be), but it has allowed me to reach all students on their level at their pace.
Join Pete Husted and other educators:
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