Michelle Mares
High School Math
I always admired my teachers, especially in high school. They supported my classmates and me by working with us after school, attending school events, coaching our sports teams, etc. While I did not initially go to college to become a teacher, I decided to return to school to pursue mathematics education after working in the corporate world for a couple of years. I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my high school teachers and instill excitement for math in my students.
At Colorado Connections Academy, I am able to customize students’ learning and courses to meet their individual needs while still meeting the state standards and graduation requirements. I can identify their strengths and weaknesses by talking to them one-on-one through real-time online sessions, WebMail, and phone calls. I feel that I get to know my students and their families on a more personal level than I would in a traditional classroom setting. I am also able to attend more events such as school picnics and field trips, where I learn about my students’ interests and hobbies.
During our LiveLesson® sessions in math, we like to use virtual applications such as Amplify/Desmos to model mathematical functions in the real world. Students can use the virtual manipulatives and graphing tools to explore concepts, test out algorithms, and collaborate with their peers.
Colorado Connections Academy offers many courses that may not be offered at a brick and mortar school. Some of our electives really cater to the interests of students, so they can see if it is a career or field they wish to pursue after high school. Many post-secondary schools, programs, and careers have been moving towards an online environment or will require technical skills. Our students become proficient in communicating and working online.
When Ms. Mares is not teaching, she enjoys cooking and baking, working out and playing tennis, and being a part of her community book club. She regularly volunteers with river cleanups and other events in her town.
"I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my high school teachers and instill excitement for math in my students."
— Ms. Mares