· “Mission Possible” math teachers have a special challenge they are being trained, paid, and watched in an attempt to improve at risk schools and students. This puts both a responsibility and a target on their backs. They are being watched on a national level for individual results. The big question seems to be does incentive pay work? There is more to the Mission Possible Program but what people will see is the $$ signs and the results.

· Teachers need to work together and support each other. To accomplish great things teachers need to work together with ideas and concepts. They need to help each other with both long term and daily teaching methods. Teachers with experience need to mentor new and emerging teachers. This is not “I got mine and the heck with the rest of you!”

· Stop negative waves in the work place! Do not ever talk negative about students, teachers, school, or administration. There is enough negativity out there in the press and public about education we do not need people in school that are negative. Walk away from negative people “WE ARE NOT HAVING THIS CONVERSATION!” Do not go to administration with a complaint unless you have a potential solution.

· Go back and explore research and education theories there are many that may help an experienced teacher. I recommend Education Weekly for current news in education and ASCD for both their reading list and “Education Leadership” magazine.

· Try books like; “The Art and Science of Teaching” or “Classroom Instruction that Works” There are many out there- keep learning how to teach!

· Use resources like “Great Courses” from the Learning Company to improve your own knowledge base.

· Explore and work with companies to find their proper tools for your own classroom and teaching style. Discussed and recommended: Carnegie Learning, Eduware, PITSCO, Castle Learning and demonstrated some examples of what this relationship with companies can do for a teacher.

· Know your community and where your students come from. Visit the homes, churches, Boys & Girls Clubs, or any other group that may help you know your students better.

· Promote the good work of your students in the classroom, school, and community. Make positive contact with home at the start of the year and call on a positive note at least once a week for your classes.

· Manage you classroom. Teach self-discipline and proper group behaviors. Expect your students to have self-discipline and work well together! Remember for some students you may have to start the year explaining why they need to improve these skills.

· Do not send a kid out of your classroom without a specific destination. A desk in the hall is not a discipline option!

· Don’t sit at the overhead! It is a 1940s product and not modern technology. Kids learn by doing real things with math not by watching you do problems on the overhead. Coaches don’t run miles to teach track they have the kids run. You kids will learn more if they are doing real activities with real math concepts.

· Throw away the concept of following the book! Make math come alive. Teach solving, evaluation, graphing, and all math concepts in one real concept. Carnegie Learning Algebra concepts demonstrated here. Using “wrist experiment” to collect data and “Avoiding the Bends” to demonstrate how multiple concepts can be in one problem.

· Teachers I fussed at one point at you to “get out of your seats and be active in this workshop!” That I would have done in my classroom also I was modeling teaching. I challenged you to be active participants in the experience. In the classroom challenge your students to be active participants in their learning then give them some active ways to learn!

· Thanks to Kathleen Hanes (1^st year teacher, Presentation participant, and teaching peer) and Jim Abraham (friend, former teacher, trainer for Castle Learning online.)

· Teachers take care of you. Be healthy mentally and physically. Take time for you non-school activities. Allot time daily to relax, plan vacations!

In the words of Bill and Ted “BE EXCELLENT!”