For Teachers – Page 2 – Nicole L. Fonger

Antiracism and Algebra.

I believe a mechanism to supporting an antiracist agenda in algebra education is to form a coalition of diverse stakeholders who are dedicated to racial justice and committed to learning and taking action to dismantle policies and practices that perpetuate inequities for students’ meaningful learning of algebra.

An Equity Lens (in Sketchnotes)

Equity lenses help to better understand and situate both broad issues in mathematics education, as well as approaches to addressing inequities and injustices. In this series of sketches, I explore one lens on equity developed by Rochelle Gutierrez, and relate this to other perspectives by Christopher Emdin and Bettina Love. While the sketches are my own, I draw on the ideas of other scholars and thought leaders to inform these visualizations.

Rx. Breathe, nature, self-care.

Each of us has a story, has been stuck, has suffered affliction of one form or another. Our challenge then, remains an opportunity. See one another. Hold space for one another. Be. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.

Can you draw it? Sketchnotes 101

In my current projects on linking research and practice in mathematics education I am called to create illustrations and visual manifestations of ideas. I have also found this lens to be supportive in my teaching. In reading student papers, where ideas are still forming, I ask: Can you draw this idea? Create a sketch to illustrateContinue reading “Can you draw it? Sketchnotes 101”

Lead with your heart.

In practicing yoga, the cue to “lead with your heart” often is interpreted to mean shoulders back and down, abdomen in to support a strong core, arms perhaps stretched out like wings or clasped behind your back and down, with heart-center the leading force of your physical movement. (Think of doing a forward fold swanContinue reading “Lead with your heart.”

Being while doing.

I wear multiple “hats” if you will. Mom, wife, researcher, collaborator, teacher, mentor, sister, daughter, granddaughter, aunt, to name a few. In each of these roles, I am asked to communicate, to lead, to converse, and to do. Often all I want is to just be. In drawing inward I find a great sense ofContinue reading “Being while doing.”

Current Projects.

Across all of my research I seek to better understand students’ meaningful learning of mathematics and the nature of supports for that learning. Lately I’ve been playing with new framings of ideas, pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone. Below is a list of my current projects (and the stage they are in, last updatedContinue reading “Current Projects.”

Dr. Nicky. The Scientist.

For a while now, perhaps ever sense I was introduced to a “lab” model of scientific and education research, I’ve wondered, what is a lab? How do I build my own “lab”? In working on this, I came to the following conclusions: I am the leader of my own lab. My lab is focused onContinue reading “Dr. Nicky. The Scientist.”

Vulnerable, and listening.

Lately I’ve found myself in vulnerable spaces. Of my own design. Opening myself up to uncertainties. Of uncharted territory. Asking new kinds of questions. Seeking connections in new and deeper ways. Looking to really feel something. And when I look into someones eyes, to really see them. With a quest of better understanding how theyContinue reading “Vulnerable, and listening.”