The Imperfect and Unfinished Math Teacher [Grades K-12]: A Journey to Reclaim Our Professional Growth (Corwin Mathematics Series)

The system won’t do it for us. But we have each other.

In The Imperfect and Unfinished Math Teacher: A Journey to Reclaim Our Professional Growth, master storyteller Chase Orton offers a vulnerable and courageous grassroots guide that leads K-12 math teachers through a journey to cultivate a more equitable, inclusive, and cohesive culture of professionalism for themselves…what he calls professional flourishment. The book builds from two bold premises. First, that as educators, we are all naturally imperfect and unfinished, and growth should be our constant goal. Second, that the last 40 years of top-down PD efforts in mathematics have rarely supplied teachers with what they need to equitably grow their practice and foster classrooms that are likewise empowered, inclusive, and cohesive.

With gentle humanity, this book inspires teachers to break down silos, observe each others’ classrooms, interrogate their own biases, and put students at the center of everything they do in the math classroom. This book:

• Weaves raw and authentic stories―both personal and those from other educators―into a relatable and validating narrative
• Offers interactive opportunities to self-reflect, build relationships, seek new vantage on our teaching by observing others’ classrooms and students, and share and listen to other’s stories and experiences
• Asks teachers to give and accept grace as they work collaboratively to better themselves and the system from within, so that they can truly serve each of their students authentically and equitably

Implementing the beliefs and actions in this book will position teachers to become more active partners in each other’s professional growth so that they can navigate the obstacles in their professional landscape with renewed focus and a greater sense of individual and collective efficacy. It equips teachers―and by extension, their students―to chart their own course and author their own equitable and joyful mathematical and professional stories.

Chase Orton’s unique career path has been guided by his passion for creating productive and inspired math classrooms that are engaging and fulfilling for both students and their teachers.

After graduating from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, he embarked on a 12-year journey as a math teacher at three different schools: The Forman School in Litchfield, CT; The Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center in Estes Park, CO; and Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale, CA. In 2012, Chase founded Mobius Educational Consulting and ventured out as an independent collaborator with different non-profits and school districts in California. He’s worked as an instructional coach for Los Angeles Education Partnership and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. He partnered with the Center for Mathematics and Teaching as lead author of MathLinks, a comprehensive middle school math curriculum. He is a Desmos Fellow and a Certified Facilitator for Illustrative Mathematics.

As an accomplished facilitator of lesson study for K-12 math teachers, Chase currently invests his professional time partnering with districts who are interested in taking a teacher-centered, teacher-directed approach to professional development. The Imperfect and Unfinished Teacher of Mathematics is his first book.

An aspiring storyteller, Chase lives on the road and is currently collecting stories from math teachers all over the country. Interested in having Chase come visit you? He would love to hear from you. You can follow Chase on Twitter (@mathgeek76) and online at www.chaseorton.com. He shares his stories from the road on Instagram (@TheTravelingStoop).