My Approach
I never thought that learning math should be boring….that is why I have a beach ball in my tutoring bag. When I work with students, we think bigger than what is on the paper but we still maintain the mathematical concepts. Actually, we bring them to life. I bring spirit and personality to my sessions so that students look forward to our time together. My approach is about stretching the mind to solve problems through reasoning and exercising those brain cells beyond what students think possible.
How I became a Mathlete
I have been tutoring students since I was a kid myself giving me 30+ years of experience. Exhibit A: Me and my bed head on a Nickelodeon quiz show in 1989….I won. Back to tutoring: I used to walk to younger kids’ homes when I was just 14 and tutor them in math. I believe it is my gift. Throughout high school and college, I still tutored. When I entered college at Wake Forest University, I intended to be a physician. But, my first mathematics course set me straight and led me to what I was always supposed to be – a teacher. I taught math at Lake Highlands High School in Texas and I trained teachers as an instructional specialist. While earning my Master’s Degree, I performed education research on student outcomes and predictors of academic success. I also taught both middle and high school math in the Chapel Hill schools in NC. I always taught students who were struggling with math – I had to SELL math to them. My style was outside-the-box but it worked – it involved art, movement, music and more. We celebrated being capable learners everyday. Recently, I earned my Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics from the University of Louisville. I will re-ignite my teaching career at Grace James Academy of Excellence in Louisville starting fall 2024.
More about Stephanie
I live in Prospect, Ky with my husband, two children, and our dog. I own LouisvilleFamilyFun.net and a series of informational websites for families in Kentucky. I love teaching families to have fun together almost as much as I love being a Mathlete. I have a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction for Mathematics from the University of Louisville, a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and Policy Analysis from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mathematics with a minor in Education from Wake Forest University. My research pertains to equitable teaching practices for mathematics and opening up mathematics learning to all students to mobilize populations who have been historically excluded from experiencing success in mathematics. A triumphant battle with triple negative breast cancer slowed my progress but did not stop me – grow by what you go through!
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Stephanie White
The Mathlete
Chief Fun Finder at LouisvilleFamilyFun.net
Mathlete
Next Steps…
If you are interesting in learning more, get in touch so we can figure out what’s best for your student or should I say…… mathlete?!