BubbleUp Take 10 with Carrie Marcey: Math is EVERYWHERE!

Carrie is  a veteran math teacher who goes above and beyond as the Lead Mentor Teacher at Kilmer. This means that she helps new teachers get acclimated to our school community. The word that colleagues would use to describe Carrie is caring (no pun intended). She always puts others first, especially new teachers.  Beyond being a supportive colleague, Carrie is a talented educator. She brings math to life; she works relentlessly with all of her learners to help them see that math is all around them. At the same time, she creates a classroom with a welcoming vibe, as down to earth as she is. Meet Carrie.

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Carrie (center) after winning Kilmer's first "Cougar Impact Award," with AP Chris Musnug (left) and Principal Ron James.

​Carrie Marcey
Job: Middle School Math Teacher
Years in Education: 17 years
Where: Kilmer Middle School, Vienna, VA

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1. ​Why education?
It's simple. I wanted to make a difference.

2. What is your education mantra?
Have fun -- math is EVERYWHERE! #ISeeMath

3. What daily school routine, before students arrive?
My basic morning routine is all about getting ready for the day: organize, print, copy.

4. What is your favorite lesson of all time?
I had my Geometry students do a project to redesign the Jefferson Memorial. The unit was on similarity but, in a sense, it was a cumulative project because it also spiraled back to pick up topics such as triangles and polygons. Students had to construct (on paper) a scale design of their new Jefferson Memorial. There were some requirements, such as the number of triangles. Students could also create a 3-D scale model to accompany their blueprints and then were asked to present their project like an architect to try to win the bid for the design.

5. If you could change one thing about schools what would it be and why? 
I would love to see a bit more support and trust of classroom teachers from Administrators and parents. We're all on the same team. 

Fruit Fractions in Carrie's classroom

​6. What three words would you use to describe your day as an educator? 
Overwhelming, Overworked, Fulfilling

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7. What's one education related hack that you can offer to our readers? 
Take a break from inside the school walls to recharge with the sun and fresh air.

​8. What's one piece of advice you would give to new educators?
Do not hesitate to ask for help.

9. What do you hope students and colleagues will say about you one day at your retirement party?
She was always a morale booster and she loved math!

​10. What are you reading, watching, listening to, or following these days? 
Generally, I follow most sports and listen to almost every kind of music in my spare time. I recently saw Beetlejuice at National Theater (Washington, DC) and was able to catch a great blue-grass band recently. And, I went to see Brian Setzer Orchestra, which is Big Band music.

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