Introductory Post

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog for TE 822!

Introduction

My name is Marissa Hoffman and I am math teacher at Plantation High School (just outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida).  I finished my 3^rd year of teaching.  This upcoming school year I am scheduled to teach Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus Honors, and Calculus Honors.  My students range from freshmen to seniors and I love teaching each age group for different reasons.  Many kids in my classroom are immigrants or children of immigrant parents.  I have had students that speak little to no English as well as bilingual students fluent in their native language and English.  This past year, more so than in years past, I realized how many of my kids have jobs to support themselves and their families.  From parent-teacher conferences I have learned that most of the parents have two jobs because many are single moms.  But, after having three sections of Pre-Calculus in which many of the students were sixteen and older, I learned that my students have a job that they miss school and extra-curricular activities for because, simply, without the job they won’t have electricity.  Because of this, the students I have the privilege to work with everyday have been some of the hardest working, most respectful individuals I have ever met and teaching them is a joy.

Teaching is something I always wanted to do.  It wasn’t until 10^th grade that I knew I wanted to be a math teacher and I knew high school students were the age group work I could connect with the best.  I consider myself a good role model and someone who is young at heart.  Although my job is teaching students how to think mathematically I also model for them how to be respectful and lend a listening ear when needed.  Being able to connect with the students in this way building a positive relationship with them is a reason why I became a teacher.  Aside from that, although I think mathematical problem solving and the methods of the subject are fascinating, I also find myself rolling my eyes at a long problem at the end of the class period along with the students.  Being able to relate to, support, and understand them all makes this challenging career worth it.

Outside of work I am active with my family.  I love shopping whether it’s for new food or clothes.  I am very interested in nutrition and do a lot of reading regarding the health benefits of different foods.  Along with that I am always exercising but never in the gym - I love the outdoors and the beautiful weather South Florida offers.  On top of that, next week, my sister and I will be adopting two dogs!  Eleanor (on the left) and Rosie (on the right), named after Eleanor Roosevelt, will be joining our family and adventures!  I will be finishing up the MATC program this summer and am grateful for the extra free time that will follow!  

Finally, “My Shot,” from the Hamilton soundtrack is a song I have been known to play during my planning period at school before the students come into class.  The themes and passion in the song closely reflect my attitude towards teaching and the work ethic of my students.  I have come to love most of the Hamilton musical.  My sister is an American History teacher so I hear about the subject all the time and it is one I find interesting as well.  At school, you’ll often find me hanging around with the social studies teachers because their conversations connecting current events to history can be fascinating!