HINTON, W.Va. (Hinton News) – For the past year, Ellen Holt, a mathematics teacher at Summers CountyComprehensive High School, has taken part in the statewide “Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers” (M3T) improvement network after being named a member of the third cohort of “M3T Fellows” last spring. The M3T project network began in 2020 thanks to a six-year, $3 million grant to West Virginia University from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, supported by additional grants from the West Virginia Department of Education. The M3T project builds on previous efforts to support secondary mathematics teacher
leadership and instructional improvement across West Virginia, which started in Pocahontas County more than a decade ago.
“Having other teachers from around the state to work with, to share ideas with, to try new things with, is so empowering!”, said Holt, who is one of 43 M3T Fellows supported by the project, representing 29 counties across West Virginia. “A community of teachers learning together and working towards a common goal is a very powerful thing for our students.”
As part of the project, M3T Fellows must continue to serve in their role as a middle or high school mathematics teacher and work as a network to identify and solve specific problems in their own classrooms and share that learning. Beginning next year, Holt and other Cohort 3 Fellows will lead “local improvement teams” with colleagues in their school or district to further grow the M3T network. By the end of the project, Fellows will be supported to mentor other emerging teacher leaders across the state.
“I would want and need my two daughters in Ms. Holt’s classroom because she is a teacher with
high expectations and will push my girls to get better everyday,” said David Warvel, Superintendent of Summers County Schools.
“M3T has brought high level learning opportunities for our students. Students have applied their skills in unique and creative ways,” said Adam Coon, Personnel Director for Summers County Schools.
“This has enhanced the level of instruction at our school. We hope the effect of the program continues to grow.” Al Hudgins, Principal of Summers County Comprehensive High School, said, “M3T gives teachers the opportunity to work collaboratively with high-quality educators throughout the state. Collaboration results in more in-depth and engaging lessons that impact our kids in a positive
way.”
“Ms. Ellen Holt has embraced the collaborative work of the M3T,” said Renae Jones, Curriculum Director for Summers County Schools. “It has been a pleasure to observe Ms. Holt collaborating with her colleagues as a teacher leader. She also provides a high depth of knowledge learning activities for her students. Students in her classroom are empowered to think critically and to
work hard, which increases engagement and achievement.”
Holt has worked collaboratively with other M3T Fellows over the past year to address students not communicating their reasoning when solving problems in their mathematics classrooms. Guided by the M3T network’s approach to improvement, Holt has tested the use of Harvard University’s Contrasting Cases, which increased student reasoning and communication during the problem-solving process. As a result of the connections formed through her work with M3T, Holt has worked to expand club offerings at the school, starting a Gardening Club as well as a VEX Robotics team with Summers County colleague Marlena Gill. Holt is also planning to
begin the National Board Certification process next school year.
Holt has shared their ideas with other mathematics educators across the state—both on M3T network calls as well as through a poster presentation at the annual conference of the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, held in March. In addition, Holt presented a session on using Vernier Go!Motion sensors, Sphero robots and TI Innovator Rovers alongside M3T colleague and WVCTM Teacher of the Year Michael Harshbarger from Cabell County Schools.
In addition to their classroom improvement work, Holt and other M3T Fellows are currently working to develop deeper understandings of topics related to data and statistics, as relatively new—though vital—content expectations in middle and high school mathematics classrooms. Fellows will share these and other takeaways from the year at the M3T Summer Institute, being held in June in Morgantown. The network will be sharing reports on progress made with educators across the state starting in the fall.
