PAEMST Spotlight: Kevin Cullen, NBCT
This week we’re spotlighting Washington’s state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), who will go on to be considered for the national award in 2022. Check out the rest of our PAEMST Spotlight interview series here.
What has surprised you about teaching during a pandemic?
Though some students excelled in the online format, it has been surprising to see how much many of my students relied on the structure and motivation provided in a regular school day. Even some of the advanced students were struggling without having that daily in-person time.
Is there a distance learning lesson that you are particularly proud of?
In my PreCalculus class we played a long-running game of Life simultaneously with the units we were covering. Students chose careers and then planned their life around the expenses and income associated with it. Then each week, they would randomly be assigned changes, either positive or negative based on what we were learning, and they would have to restructure their life based on those changes. It led to a lot of fun conversations about very real-world struggles and helped keep students motivated.
What is your greatest wish for school next year?
I feel that I should say seeing the students, but honestly, our school chef makes incredible sandwiches as part of a break between 2nd and 3rd period, I have missed them, though my waistline may feel differently.
What are some of the jobs and pathways you are most excited to see your students preparing for?
I also teach computer science classes and the pathways are virtually limitless. It is so exciting to watch students find ways to turn their imaginings into realities.
What advice would you give to parents or caregivers who want to incorporate more science and mathematical thinking into their students’ lives?
Math and science are everywhere, just be mindful of the opportunities that already exist in what you regularly do. Baking is a great example. There are measurements, proportions, reactions, observations, and a tasty finished product. Another example is travel. Charting graphs, making tables, keeping track of budgets, plotting distances, researching locations are all easy tie-ins.
Is there anything that has been easier to do in a remote school environment?
The ability to watch all of my students in real-time has been tremendous. I use Google Jamboards for breakout rooms, and to be able to see exactly what each group is working on as they are working has been a huge benefit, and I don’t even have to leave my chair!
Can you think of a funny moment to share from the past year+ of teaching in the pandemic?
Every day there are opportunities to laugh at the situation we find ourselves in. Whether it is pets on keyboards, siblings entering the room loudly and maybe not all the way dressed, realizing I just taught a lesson without sharing my screen, putting students in breakout rooms and then forgetting about them, watching students slowly realize they entered the wrong class…but being online at least gives an opportunity to see their faces which has been wonderful.
Where do you see more opportunity for collaborating with other disciplines to teach math or science?
The culinary teacher and I have had some discussions about running a student-led food truck for the summer tourist season. There would be many opportunities for collaboration on this project, hopefully we can get it off the ground.
