In our quest to understand the challenges faced by math teachers in Bethlehem and explore innovative solutions, we had the privilege of interviewing William Clairmont, K-12 Mathematics Supervisor at Bethlehem Central School District. Throughout the conversation, Mr. Clairmont shed light on the struggles math teachers encounter, the vision for good math education, and the pivotal role that Magma Math plays in supporting teaching and learning in his district.‍

One of the main struggles experienced by math teachers in Bethlehem is transitioning from a teacher-centered approach to a student-centered one. Adapting teaching strategies and classroom dynamics to foster student engagement is a complex process, but the district recognizes the value of creating a student-centered learning environment. This transition requires significant support and professional development for teachers to effectively implement student-centered practices and facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse.

Mr. Clairmont emphasized that good math education involves three essential elements: mathematical discourse, engaging content, and discovery-based learning. Encouraging students to actively participate in discussions, providing captivating math materials, and learning through discovery empower students to construct their own mathematical knowledge, enabling them to become independent problem solvers.

To enhance teaching and learning, Bethlehem Central School District offers various professional development opportunities throughout the year. The Summer Teaching and Learning Conference empowers teachers to choose areas of focus aligned with the student-centered practices mentioned above.

Mr. Clairmont and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Hurst were first introduced to Magma Math in September 2022. Magma caught their attention due to its emphasis on engagement, mathematical discourse, and data-driven instruction. They saw that Magma Math complimented many of their districts' needs. Magma enables teachers to view students’ solutions, facilitating class-wide discussions and promoting collaborative learning. Additionally, Magma simplifies data collection and analysis, enabling teachers to address individual student needs with real-time information.

In December 2022, the district implemented Magma Math for all the students in their middle school. Magma Math had an onboarding for the teachers to show them how to get started and use the platform successfully. In March, Magma Math got the chance to participate in one of the district's professional development days. The team from Magma Math had a one-hour on-site training session where they showed how the platform can be used for formative assessments and differentiation using tiered assignments. The teachers also had the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the team from Magma Math. This training session was very well-received and appreciated by the teachers and the Magma Math team.

“Their availability to our teachers and myself has been incredible. To come to our school for an hour training and turn around and go home speaks volumes. They have taken all that we have suggested and are looking to expand on their item back to support our teachers' needs.” - Mr. Clairmont

Mr. Clairmont has already noticed the impact the platform has on their math education. By using Magma Math, teachers are able to create consistent and engaging lessons and assessments. The platform enables teachers to share these resources with colleagues, facilitating collaboration and the exchange of best practices. Moreover, Magma Math equips teachers with real-time data on student performance, enabling them to tailor their instruction to address individual student needs effectively.

According to Mr. Clairmont, one significant advantage of working with Magma Math is their dedication to continuously evolve and adapt to the needs of their partners. The platform's responsiveness and willingness to listen to feedback ensure that it remains a valuable resource for both teachers and students.

For Magma Math, it is really rewarding to be able to have these kinds of partnerships like the one with Bethlehem Central School District.
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