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South Mifflin Math Teacher Transforms Learning Through Powerful Relationships
September 19, 2024 - South Mifflin STEM fourth grade student Khalil Evans remembers third grade math fondly, particularly playing the multiplication game Knockout and passing the math part of the Ohio State Test (OST).
“I was so excited that I passed and was going to the fourth grade that I knocked over a chair,” Evans said.
Last school year, Evans was one of South Mifflin’s 25 third grade students who passed the math portion of the OST in the spring. Math teacher Tanner Cameron taught all 26 third grade students, meaning 97% of her students passed the math section of the OST.
To be considered proficient in a subject on the OST, a student must score between 700 and 724. Cameron noted many of her students scored around 800, placing them in the advanced category.
"I was just so happy and grateful that these kids get to see themselves in this light," Cameron said. "They’re so smart and capable, and that just brought me complete joy.”
Evans credited Cameron for his success. He recalled his first day of third grade, when Cameron promised to assist with multiplication. Cameron made good on her word, as she often helped Evans and his classmates after school.
“Ms. Cameron was one of the best third grade teachers ever and she was happy all the time,” Evans said.
Cameron began teaching third grade math four years ago after realizing she enjoyed teaching the subject as a second grade teacher. Admittedly, Cameron herself struggled with math throughout school and college. However, as a teacher, she realized math was everywhere and found a way to convey that to her students.
“I make everything a project and relatable to the kids,” Cameron said.
A lesson on rounding could involve an imaginary online shopping visit to the Amazon website. Each student would create a shopping list based on an amount provided by Cameron. To ensure they had enough money, each student rounded each item to the nearest dollar.
Another example is when teaching area and perimeter, students could get the opportunity to build their own dream house. Students would then be required to determine the dimensions of the house.
While Cameron employs data-driven strategies, from incorporating more games in the classroom to tracking her students' math fluency, her success fundamentally lies in her rapport with students and their families.
From day one of the school year, she learns about her students’ personal lives. She calls parents regularly to update them on their child’s progress, ensuring everyone is on board for each student’s success.
“I get to know them. I show I care for them. I have high expectations,” Cameron said. “Because they know I love them, they want to perform.”
The entirety of Cameron’s nine-year teaching career has been at South Mifflin STEM. South Mifflin principal Pamela Eberhardt-Horton acknowledged Cameron as an intentional teacher who built strong relationships throughout that time.
For that reason, Eberhardt-Horton was not surprised her students passed with such success. She recalled the day Cameron’s students took the test.
“The confidence that those children had the morning of the test – they weren’t nervous and they knew the work,” Eberhardt-Horton said.
Fourth-grade student Khilynn Fisher was one of those students with confidence. Looking forward to learning geometry in fourth grade, Fisher remembers Cameron positively for her ability to meet her classmates where they were emotionally and still lead them to excel. She calls Cameron a “success” teacher.
“She knows how to teach kids when they are sad, happy, mad, frustrated,” Fisher said.
Columbus City Schools (CCS) congratulates Cameron on her great achievement as she continues to build relationships and motivate CCS students to excel in math.