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Jess Brooks
Mathematics Tutor
How I Teach

I love teaching math and working with students. It's an incredibly rewarding experience to work on hard problems and to really understand why something is working. I enjoy building relationships with my students, helping them reach their goals and seeing them succeed in a area that was once a struggle.

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Masters in Mathematics Education, Portland State University, Portland, OR 2011

Curriculum and Research Thesis Project: “Collecting and Analyzing Projectile Data Using Manipulatives and Technology”


Bachelors in Mathematics, Alfred University, Alfred, NY  2004

Minors in Fine Arts and Education

Honors Thesis: "Math and Art"

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Licensed, Oregon Initial 2 License to teach Advanced Mathematics

Education and Licensure

I am a "constructivist" teacher because I am a "constructivist" learner. I always needed to know why something worked. If I didn't understand, chances are I would soon forget how to do it. Memorizing is a temporary ineffective solution when the true goal is learning. It might get me through a spelling test but it is no way to learn math. Tricks and over reliance on memorization is my main critique of traditional math education. You might see quick gains but those gains are temporary and not gains that can be built upon.

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When you instead construct your understanding from previous knowledge that new understanding is lasting. It also is easily transferable to other topics. Math is beautifully setup to allow for this construction. It is also far more enjoyable to learn and teach in this way.

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I also naturally look for applications to what I'm learning or teaching. Being able to apply new information helps with authentic incentives. Students want to know why they are learning something for a good reason. "When am I ever going to use this?"  is a valid question.

Education and Licensure
Personal Background

I grew up in Ohio. When I graduated high school I was sure that I would become an artist. I left Ohio and went to college in upstate New York. I found myself skipped art classes to attend calculus. I enjoyed learning.  In math class, I could always identify what had just been learned. I started tutoring other students for the university and found great enjoyment in teaching. From New York I headed out to Portland. Here I've made what I think is a pretty great life. I teach math, take art classes, garden, run dogs and love my family.

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