We Go to Peto | What's Mrs. Peto Up To?

What's Mrs. Peto up to?

A PERSONAL CHALLENGE!
This year I have decided to apply for my National Board Certification. In order to earn National Board Certification I will have to complete a series of portfolios which require me to showcase and analyze my instruction. I will take a mathematics assessment highlighting 6 key areas of mathematics. I decided to try for my National Board Certification to stretch myself professionally and strengthen my teaching throughout the process. I have been seeking a growth opportunity since I finished my Master’s Degree in Mathematics in the Spring of 2005. Four years later, I believe it is again time to push myself toward a higher standard of excellence. The National Board process can take up to 3 years. This will be my initial year in the experience and I will need the help and support of my students as I create my portfolio entries. As part of the process I am required to submit 2 video entries. Consequently, I will be asking students to sign a waiver form so that they can be part of any taping I may need to do. If students or their parents do not feel comfortable signing the waiver, I will be certain not to include those students in the camera’s line of sight. To learn more about National Board Certification as determined by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, please visit http://www.nbpts.org/

MRS. PETO’S SUMMER
This summer I again taught summer school for Addison Trail high school. I taught a 5-week Freshmen Intervention program for incoming freshmen. The program was designed to help students in need by reviewing some core concepts and skills prior to entering into a high school Algebra course. It was a great summer and a wonderful opportunity to get to know students in the community in which I live.

My husband and I also undertook quite a project at home. We had an old chain-link fence that was on our lot line, but it had been overgrown with the forest of brush, bushes and trees behind our house. (no one seems to know who owns that land). So we spent a few days clearing out the brush, eliminating some trees, removing the old fence, and then replacing it with a beautiful new aluminum fence to match the fencing in the rest of our yard. I always make myself a summer list of things to do, but this was a project which undoubtedly gave my husband much more to do this summer! It looks fantastic though and is definitely an improvement in our yard.

Every other year we take an extended road trip on our motorcycle exploring the beautiful US. This is our off year, and we struggled with where to go on a vacation. We had decided on a staycation, where we stay at home and take time to see and do things we wouldn't otherwise have done. We spent a day downtown seeing the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry (we are both big Harry Potter fans) as well as seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (for the second time) on the Omni-max theater. We also spent a few days in Michigan at my brother-in-law's summer home.

WRITING SONGS
As you may already know, I debuted my first math song last year “Distributa” to Rihanna’s “Disturbia.” Since then I have completed lyrics to a Trigonometry song “It’s Triggy” to Run DMC’s “It’s Tricky.” I need to practice my rap skills and get into the studio to record “It’s Triggy.” I hope to have it completed by second quarter when my Pre-Calculus students start doing Trigonometry!

WALKING FOR A CAUSE!
I signed up for my FOURTH Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The walk is June 5 – 6, 2010. I committed to raising $1,800.00 to walk. I walk with a team of 7 people. My husband, Kevin, is a motocrew member. He rides his motorcycle to clear the intersections for us walkers! Our team is the Incredi-boobs (like Disney's Incredibles), we have capes and everything! If you want to know more about my walk, feel free to ask! It is a cause very dear to my heart and I am excited to start my fundraising and workouts in preparation for June!