Sue Commons
Sibyl “Sue” Commons, a mathematics teacher at Baxter Springs High School, is Region 2’s secondary finalist. During her 37-year career, she has taught students at all levels of math – from those needing remedial instruction to those taking calculus classes.
Sue states, “Finding a practical use for a mathematical concept will motivate students who see no use for mathematics education.” Her math students turn the one-foot-square floor tiles in the school’s Commons area into a Battleship game board. Placing paper battleships on the makeshift game board and using gym floor tape to graph lines onto it, students give the equation of a line that would be the route taken by an enemy ship to intersect with the battleship.
Students at Baxter Springs High School have the advantage of a one-to-one initiative that provides every student with a school-owned computer to use during the year. This program levels the playing field among socio-economic classes in the school. It also serves as a valuable benefit for math students, allowing them access to a graphing calculator, a grapher, calculators, tables and charts, and other programs.
Sue’s talent as a seamstress is put to good use making elaborate costumes for the school musical each year. She also mends and alters uniforms for band members, cheerleaders, ball teams, and color guard members. In fact, she has opened her own sewing shop in her home.
Sue states, “Finding a practical use for a mathematical concept will motivate students who see no use for mathematics education.” Her math students turn the one-foot-square floor tiles in the school’s Commons area into a Battleship game board. Placing paper battleships on the makeshift game board and using gym floor tape to graph lines onto it, students give the equation of a line that would be the route taken by an enemy ship to intersect with the battleship.
Students at Baxter Springs High School have the advantage of a one-to-one initiative that provides every student with a school-owned computer to use during the year. This program levels the playing field among socio-economic classes in the school. It also serves as a valuable benefit for math students, allowing them access to a graphing calculator, a grapher, calculators, tables and charts, and other programs.
Sue’s talent as a seamstress is put to good use making elaborate costumes for the school musical each year. She also mends and alters uniforms for band members, cheerleaders, ball teams, and color guard members. In fact, she has opened her own sewing shop in her home.