Fairmont State University reported on May 7 that its students and faculty took part in the annual West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM) conference at Stonewall Resort. The event recognizes educators across all academic levels, including elementary, middle school, high school, and college.
The university said four students—Hailee Linn of Bridgeport, Madison Louk of Lost Creek, Bella Ramsey of Clarksburg, and Kiersten Stout of Lost Creek—received Student Travel Grants from the West Virginia Space Grant Consortium to attend the conference. These grants helped cover lodging, registration fees, meals, and travel expenses for participants.
Attending conferences like WVCTM offers undergraduate students opportunities to connect with peers and experienced educators while learning about new developments in mathematics education. “The WVCTM conference provided valuable opportunities to learn new strategies for teaching mathematics, including different subtraction methods and counting activities for elementary-level instruction,” said Ramsey. “Sessions also explained the importance of involving families in students’ mathematical development by using everyday manipulatives available at home. As a future teacher, gaining new instructional strategies and collaborating with other educators will help me support all students in developing strong mathematical skills.”
Senior David Desmuke said his experience as a student teacher allowed him to better apply what he learned: “I think that the biggest takeaway from the conference is a lot of activities that align with good mathematics teaching that I can apply to my placement and my future classrooms. I think as a student observer I didn’t quite know how to apply the information I was learning from the conference but as a student teacher with a little more experience the information and connection I get from attending the conference is invaluable.”
Associate Professor Dr. Stephanie Jones serves as WVCTM College Vice President and plays an active role in planning throughout the year. Four Fairmont State faculty members also presented sessions during this year’s event.
The university said these experiences are an important part of its commitment to providing hands-on learning opportunities for future teachers.
