For Algebra l teacher Mrs. Shows, the journey into teaching math began with a surprising twist. Growing up, she never saw herself as “good at math.” Everything changed in college when Dr. Miller helped her realize that she could understand math– she just learned it differently. That moment inspired her to devote her career to helping her students discover the same truth: everyone can do math once they understand how their brain learns.
A Teaching Style Built On Belief
When asked how she’d describe her teaching style, Mrs. Shows explains that most of her job is helping students believe they can learn math before anything else. Confidence, she says, is more powerful than any formula. The most important skill students gain in her class isn’t factoring or graphing– it’s learning that they are a math person.
Breaking Down Barriers
To make Algebra relatable for students who find it challenging, she focuses on breaking down concepts into clear, consistent steps that work every time. Her approach reaches visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learners alike. She knows success breeds motivation, so early in the year she makes sure each student experiences small wins that build intrinsic drive.
Her favorite topic to teach? Solving equations. She loves its black-and-white clarity and the routine that applies to every problem.
Keeping Class Engaging
Her lessons follow a five-part structure: Good things, warm-up, community activity, notes, and practice. She’s a firm believer that predictability lowers anxiety and helps students stay engaged.
Technology also plays a major role— especially the DESMOS online calculator, which she believes makes math more accessible, interactive, and confidence-building for all students.
A Classroom Built On Community
Creating a positive learning environment is one of her top priorities. Each year, her class begins by creating a social contract, establishing how everyone wants to be treated. Every day starts with “good things,” and birthdays are always celebrated– even those that fall outside the school year. She also recognizes groups of students at the end of each grading period for their math growth and achievements.
When a student is disruptive or disengaged, her response is simple and empathetic: check in. She believes that behavior changes are usually signs of deeper issues, and a private conversation can help her understand the root cause.
Helping Students Reach Their Potential
From daily warm-ups to visual checks, she constantly assesses understanding. She builds in time to work one-on-one with students for reteach or extension, ensuring everyone gets what they need– whether they’re struggling or ready to be pushed further. Students also collaborate as peer tutors during independent practice, reinforcing learning and community.
Preparation for major tests includes spiral review in warm-ups, review activities, and ensuring all assignments and corrections are complete, so students go into the test confident and prepared.
Challenges and Rewards
The biggest challenge she faces is giving all 180 of her students the chance to learn at their highest potential. But it’s also what makes the job meaningful. Some of her most rewarding moments have been watching students who have never passed an EOC grow throughout the year and ultimately pass Algebra l.
One of her most memorable experiences was hearing from colleagues and administrators after the 2025 EOC about how confident, excited, and prepared her students felt– proof of the community and mindset she works so hard to build.
Always Growing
Teaching Algebra l has changed significantly since she began. With the development of STAAR 2.0 and increasing rigor, she has shifted from using a TI-84 calculator to exclusively using DESMOS– seeing major improvements in both scores and student confidence.
Professional development has also shaped her approach, particularly becoming a Process Champion in Capturing Kids’ Hearts, which emphasized giving students a voice and building a classroom community where it feels safe to learn and make mistakes.
Beyond Algebra
Mrs. Shows believes Algebra plays a crucial role preparing students for future careers– most college degrees require some form of college Algebra. More than the math itself, Algebra teaches perseverance, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills that will carry students far beyond high school.
Her advice for future math teachers? Spend time in a classroom first- substitute or shadow a teacher. Education is constantly evolving, and it’s important to know if it’s truly the right path.
Building Confidence– One Win at a Time
Many students come to her with math anxiety or the belief that Algebra is “only for smart people.” She works hard to change that narrative by focusing on growth, no matter how small.
Mistakes become learning tools, not setbacks. She reminds students that “you can’t eat an elephant in one bite”– success comes little by little.
Ultimately, she hopes students walk out of her classroom knowing they’re capable, confident, and very supported. Her biggest goal is simple: for every student to feel seen, heard, valued, and successful in math.
