An Extended Family Tree

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Students in Kelly May’s Accelerated Precalculus class collaborate on an assignment.

Since beginning her teaching career in 2000, Algebra II and Accelerated Precalculus teacher Kelly May has created a unique classroom environment. At the core of her dynamic teaching style is a family system where students are organized into yearlong groups that help each other learn the material taught in class and strengthen their mathematical skills.

“I had a great math teacher in high school that used families so I felt the power of the system first hand,” explained May.

Through competitions, games, quizzes and other interactive activities, students work together, offering support for difficult problems and concepts. The goal is not only for students to learn from and teach their peers, but to develop skills that make the family aspect go beyond the classroom.

“I love when they start to become an actual family,” said May. “It’s an amazing feeling when my students say that they never would have gotten to know each other if they weren’t in the same math family.”

For May’s students, there are often many important lessons learned from collaborating and cooperating with peers that apply beyond time spent in the classroom.

“My family and I were motivated to help each other and were competitive with other families in the best way possible,” said senior Lara Steinwinter, who had May for Accelerated Precalculus. “We learned how to keep each other in check.”