Karen works with students and teachers throughout Cook County to help them have a greater understanding of mathematics and science. She offers classroom and after school enrichment programs as well as professional development workshops for teachers. These workshops have been offered at the school and district level to over 1,500 teachers in the last four years, impacting over 35,000 students.

Karen graduated from Valparaiso University with a bachelors degree in mathematics. She completed her M. Ed. in counseling at the University of Missouri.

Prior to coming to Extension, Karen taught middle and high school mathematics at a suburban St. Louis school district. She also developed curriculum and taught computer applications courses at the high school and college level. In 2004, she received the Emerson Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching, a state award that recognizes one teacher from each school district for his or her contributions and achievements. In addition to extensive curriculum writing, she published two books on BASIC computer programming.

Karen's Math to Go professional development program was recognized by University of Illinois Extension, receiving the Award of Excellence for Outstanding or Innovative Programming. She has presented at numerous local, state and regional math and computer conferences.

Karen currently provides classroom and after school programs as well as Mobile Science Lab programs to students throughout Cook County, with an emphasis on making math engaging and enjoyable. She also provides training for elementary and middle school teachers as well as parents to help them have a greater appreciation for mathematics and science.

She currently is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Program Offerings

Math Professional Development Over 150 professional development programs have been offered in the past five years. These workshops will help any teacher walk away with effective strategies to use in their classroom. These workshops can be arranged at your location or at one of our offices. Recent programs include a focus on the new Common Core State Standards in Mathematics. Getting to the Core – Focus on Number Sense and Operations K-4th Grade Ready or not the Common Core is coming. Engage in a variety of games and activities that focus on different skills while exploring Common Core concepts more deeply. Leave with dozens of practical ideas that you can use with your students. Core Workout – Focus on Operations, Fractions, and Geometry 3rd-6th Grade Math games provide an opportunity to engage students and differentiate learning. We will explore games that focus on the Common Core standards for upper elementary students. Leave with loads of practical ideas and materials that you can use with your students. Playing to Learn – Focus on Common Core for Upper Elementary and Middle School 5th-8th Grade Play and evaluate a variety of math games while exploring ways to implement Common Core Standards. Leave with a collection of materials that you can use with your students. Number Sense and More Come and share in the fun – we will partake in a variety of games and activities that can be used to build problem solving strategies as well as basic skills. Gee- I'm-A-Tree Let's explore some geometry concepts through a wide variety of activities and games. Beyond Guessing! Strategies, games and activities will be practiced to help your students improve their estimation and measurement skills. What are the Chances? Here is your chance to make some sense out of statistics and probability. Learn some fun ways to engage your students as we try a variety of games and activities. Let the Games Begin Who said learning can't be fun? These programs focus on small and large group games to enhance your classroom instruction. Each session focuses on different skills and age groups. · Focus on Counting, Addition and Subtraction (K-3) · Focus on Multiplication and Division (3-6) · Focus on Fractions, Decimals, Percent, and Algebra (5-8) Classroom - All Science Areas Forensics This is an interdisciplinary program encompassing all major science subjects commonly use in the investigation and in solving crime issues. It is the interplay of all sciences and mathematics in the crime scene investigation process. Student Enrichment – Mathematics Not Math Problems …Math PUZZLES! – Grades 3-8 Students will practice and review a wide variety of concepts in mathematics in order to match patterns using Versa Tiles. These activities can be correlated to specific grade levels and objectives. Activities range from number skills and operations to fractions, decimals, statistics and algebra. Illinois State Math Standard 6B, 6C, 7A, 8B, 9B What Are the Chances? – Grades 3-10 Students will design and carry out experiments to solve problems in probability. Theories will be tested using models, dice, and graphing calculators. Illinois State Math Standard 10A, 10C Let's Deal – Grades 1-8 Students will play a variety of card games that will reinforce their skills while adding to their enjoyment of mathematics. Activities will be chosen that are grade level appropriate after consultation with the classroom teacher. Activities can range from number skills and operations to fractions, decimals, statistics and measurement. Illinois State Math Standard 6B, 6C, 7A, 10A, 10B Let it Roll – Grades 1-8 Students will play a variety of dice games that will reinforce their skills while adding to their enjoyment of mathematics. Activities will be chosen that are grade level appropriate after consultation with the classroom teacher. Activities can range from number skills and operations to fractions, decimals, statistics and measurement. Illinois State Math Standard 6B, 6C, 7A, 10A, 10B Let's Be Rational About It – Grades 4-8 Students will sharpen their skills with rational numbers through the use of a variety of games. Activities will be chosen that are grade level appropriate after consultation with the classroom teacher. Activities can range from comparing and simplifying to operations with fractions, decimals, and per cent. Illinois State Math Standard 6B, 6C Puzzle Time – Grades 1-8 Students will engage in a variety of hands on puzzles such as pentominoes and tangrams, The program can be modified to fit the needs of the class. Students will develop their problem solving skills as well as conceptualize mathematical relationships using manipulatives. Illinois State Math Standard 9A, 9B

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