Sydney teaches Geometry (as well as karate in a studio in town!). She started the program in the fall of 2022 and graduated February 2024. 

With a background in ministry, Sydney was eager to ignite a love of learning and confidence in young minds. She shared, “I love working with students. Students will oftentimes tie their self-perception to their academic ability, and sometimes get discouraged when they don’t understand things. I love to help students build their confidence through problem solving and realize that they can do so much more than what they think they are capable of". Sydney teaches at a school near the rural community where she grew up. Taking up her free time, she and her husband teach karate and recently turned a barn into their dream “barndominium”.

I love working with students. Students will oftentimes tie their self-perception to their academic ability, and sometimes get discouraged when they don’t understand things. I love to help students build their confidence through problem solving and realize that they can do so much more than what they think they are capable of.

What was your favorite part of the T2T program?

I really appreciated being asynchronous and going at my own pace. Throughout the course I had seasons where I had to take a break from studying and do life stuff. Mathspace was also a great tool. I felt great when I "mastered" a subject and frustrated when I couldn't. I would work on Khan for some, more focused support.

What was the most valuable support you received from MathTrack in your journey to completion?

I really appreciated the built-in private tutoring and the 240 test prep resource was super helpful. The diagnostic criteria on 240 really helped me understand what type of questions would be on the test, unlike Khan Academy, as well as what holes I had and pushed me in the direction of what I needed to prioritize. Especially not coming from a Math background, I don't need a bachelor's in math, I just need to know and pass the test, which I felt like 240 helped me do.

How long did you study for the Math Praxis and what resources did you use? How challenging was it for you? 

I started in Mathspace in August 2022. From August 2022-June 2023, I completed the Excel Curriculum, Alg. 1, Geo, and Alg. 2. Then in June and July of 2023 I worked with my friend who tutored me in Trig and Calc. I took a break in August 2023 and then started using the new Mathspace resources from September-November 2023. I took another break in December and then started with 240 Tutoring in January and took my second Math Praxis late February. I also used the Mometrix study book , mostly for the practice tests and I used Khan Academy for certain topics as well. 

How long did you study for the PLT Praxis and what resources did you use? How challenging was it for you?

I studied for about a week and used 240 again and it went fine. I think I was on the high end of average. Some of the legal stuff (IEP and SPED regulations) I didn't quite get. I thought MathTrack coursework prepared me as well as spending a few years in the classroom. 

Especially if you don't have a background in math, start studying for the Math Praxis early! I did the Mathspace sections early and would suggest completing every section before taking the test for the first time. Some of the Mathspace Calc. content goes more in depth than actually needed on the test though, I think. Excel, Geo, Algebra I and Algebra II at first and then MathTrack restructured to mirror the structure of the test (added Calc. and Trig) but I didn't find it until a week before my first test.