COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Texas A&M University

Always Expect More of Aggie Teachers

Tradition, Values, and Spirit

Our goal is to celebrate the outstanding teaching and learning by Aggie Teachers. Effective and creative educational practices of Aggie Teachers serve as authentic learning ideas that have an impact on students and the community.  The overall program will advance the "best practices" for all teachers through providing awards, scholarships, and recognition.  These stories will be shared with all teachers through this website and our electronic newsletter, The TLAC Times.  Also, Aggie Teachers may receive recognition for their excellence in teaching and learning through telling and sharing their most compelling stories.  The tradition and spirit prevails through Aggies helping other Aggies.

Submit your "Always Expect More of Aggie Teachers" stories to Ms. Tammy Reynolds at treynolds@coe.tamu.edu

More Than Just Math:  The Quilt Project

By Caroline B. Jones

"It all started when I made a quilt one summer to be displayed in my classroom", Caroline B. Jones, a math teacher at College Station Middle School and participant in the MSMP project said recently. As Caroline was creating her quilt, she thought about all of the mathe involved and how she might use a project like this in her classroom.

The following year she gave it a try. She divided the students up into groups of four. One student bought the fabric for the quilt, so that student got to take the quilt home when the project was completed. Caroline had parent volunteers in the classroom, and everything went well.

This past school year she decided to try it again, but with a different twist. Caroline proposed the idea of making a quilt for a class math project, but then raffling the quilt with the proceeds going to charity. Caroline's algebra class decided to take on the project. One student said that her parents would contribute the fabric if the money raised from the raffle went to ALS research, as her grandmother had died from the disease.

Several students were assigned to the "business office" (in charge of the fundraising, advertising, and accounting. The students set the date for the raffle for May 20. Other students in the class sewed the quilt top and a local quilter machine quilted and helped the students bind the quilt. It was ready just in time for the drawing, and the raffle ticket sales had raised just over $600.

On Friday, May 20, at noon, the assistant principal came to draw the winning ticket. The winner was James Barrett. That evening, James Barrett passed away after a six or seven year battle with ALS.

Caroline took the quilt over to the Barrett family the following afternoon. James Barrett's 7th grade daughter, Jodi, was very excited to have won the quilt. The family had told her that she could have the quilt if they won.

"I believe that it was more that coincidence that the Barrett family won the quilt on the very day they lost their father to the disease for which the raffle was raising money," Caroline says. "I don't know that it belongs as an example of what to expect from Aggie teachers because I can take no credit for what took place."

By participating in this project, Caroline Jones' students learned about math and a whole lot more.

QUICK LINKS

Faculty Employment Opportunities

Clinical Assistant Professor ESL - Dr. Edie Cassell

Clinical Assistant Professor Reading/Literacy Education - Dr. Lori Graham

Resources

Registration
Office of Admissions
Office of Graduate Studies

Student Teaching Office

Question for an advisor?

LATEST NEWS

  • Five Honored as May Distinguished Honor Graduates
  • Special Education Student Receives Faculty Senate Aggie Spirit Award
  • Davila Awarded HEB Excellence In Education Award

    • more news »
    archives »

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    No upcoming events...

    view calendar »