ALGEBRA FOR THE URBAN STUDENT: USING STORIES TO MAKE ALGEBRA FUN AND EASY by CANAA LEE
Algebra for the Urban Student offers an algebra textbook for the typical math student. In many cases, such textbooks are written for people who love mathematics and understand the jargon. Teacher Canaa Lee has incorporated her personal experiences as a high school mathematics teacher into a textbook that is specially geared toward students needs. Most students dislike mathematics because the subject has always been difficult for them to master. With this in mind, Algebra for the Urban Student builds on methods Lee has used successfully in her classroom to motivate her students to a better more practical understanding of math.
I have been a teacher since I was 12 years old. I started playing the piano at the age of 6. My skills, advanced rather quickly so my parents allowed me to give piano lessons to earn some money in addition to the allowance I was receiving. As a junior in high school, I was a first grade tutor in reading and mathematics.
In college, I tutored students in math, biology, English and study skills. I have been a high school teacher for ten years now. I have taught middle school, high school, college and on the university level. While completing my undergraduate work at Arkansas State University, I had a job as a Student Support Services tutor.
My first teaching job was in Fort Worth, Texas, at South Hills High School. I went to back to school for a master’s degree to be to teach in college. I completed my graduate work at the University of Central Arkansas in August 2005. Now that I had my masters degree I could teach in a college. In 2006, I took a position as an instructional specialist at Carter-Riverside High School in Fort Worth, TX. In 2008, I took a position as a lead content teacher at Leonard Middle School in Fort Worth, TX.
I taught at Little Rock Central High School from 2003 to 2006. In the summer of 2008, I moved to Garland to teach at Garland High School. I have been blessed with the opportunity to be Program Administrator for Project Educating and Diversifying to Grow Exponentially (EDGE). Helping students become more competent and confident in mathematics has been a passion of mine for several years now.
In 2010, I orchestrated the establishment of Project E.D.G.E. (Educating and Diversifying to Grow Exponentially). In order to provide the African American students with the best possible learning experience, I partnered with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – Garland Branch partnered with Garland Independent School District (GISD), the City of Garland, Lakeview Centennial and South Garland High School to launch this program: The purpose of this program is to address the needs of African American students, to help them succeed academically and to provide African American students with an opportunity for a promising, prosperous future quality of life in venues other than sports and entertainment.
My goal is to improve students’ experience and even enjoyment of high school level mathematics courses. I also recognize that a child's education and performance in school is a responsibility shared by the school, family and the community at-large. Through this partnership, the school district endeavors to meet the diverse cultural needs of parents and children. As a result of my hard work of education, I was unanimously selected as the 2011 Educator of the Year by the Garland NAACP. I founded the EDUKATE Academy on December 19, 2011.
In January 2012, I became an associate Time to Teach Trainer/Presenter. In my classroom management conference presentations, I demonstrate how to utilize common sense, research based classroom management tips and techniques that can be implemented into their classroom tomorrow with positive and observable results. Teachers learn how to diffuse discipline problems before they become an instructional disruption in your classroom. They discover how a simple teaching technique can “refocus” the energies of a troubled student, integrating them back into the classroom so instruction can continue.
In May 2012, I published my first book, “Algebra for the Urban Student.” First math book that infuses reading, mathematics and technology all in one; a first algebra book that is reader friendly because it is written in language anyone can understand.
I have worked diligently in her efforts to impact the world of education; my work has been attracting well-deserved attention. Lee has been selected as the 2012-2013 National Association of Professional Women Woman of the Year.
In 2013, I surrendered my life to Christ. As a result, I resigned from teaching and moved back home to my hometown of Brinkley, AR. I took a completely different path from that point forward.
In August 2014, I self published my second book, “Algebra Easy a Pi.” It contains more than 600 pages of activities that were custom-written and tailored to the needs of students. Each activity is all-inclusive, with a tour guide that tells a story, explains vocabulary and concepts, asks questions to help you make sense of it, and also multiple choice questions to help with test preparation.
In October 2015, The Lord put it on my heart to dig into my past and to share my failures, heartache, mistakes, feelings, and experiences that helped shape the person I was BEFORE Christ and what led to my supernatural encounter with Jesus that transformed my mind and my heart into the godly woman I am today. Confessions of It is a heartfelt collection of poetry and letters that expresses the brokenness of my sinful heart to the renewed heart and mind through the “amazing grace” of Jesus Christ.
In January 2017, my brother and I, the Sensational Siblings, became hosts of our new internet radio show, Bread of Life. It is “real talk, about real life with a Biblical perspective.” I am the final stages of professional counseling degree at Liberty University. I plan to graduate December 2019.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792VFC1W/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/clee2.mp3
