2020: To Illinois and Beyond
Author: Kathleen Almy
Happy New Year! I’ve spent much of the last few weeks reflecting on the progress we’ve made at Almy Education and where we are going. While I’ve had this business for nearly five years, it’s only since last August that it has had my full-time commitment. Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t do anything small. That’s a blessing and a curse. I tend to bite off more than I can chew but always find a way to make things happen at the level I want. The problem is that the longer I use this approach, the more I’ve learned that I simply cannot do it all in the way I want all the time. Something has to give.
If 2019 taught me nothing else, it’s that life is short and precious. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. As I watched my strong and smart father, who was also a math professor for many years, suffer two major strokes and lose his life over a terrible six-week period, my priorities got very clear very fast. My life and personal responsibilities had changed. While my commitment to the Illinois transitional math implementation I was leading did not waiver, the way I could be present had to. In the time since I stepped down from the director position, I’ve had multiple clients in Illinois that I’ve helped with their transitional math implementations. We’re working through the nitty gritty of implementation, which is messy and hard. I quickly realized that I wanted to provide the intensive help I was giving to my clients to as many schools in the state as I could. But it’s time and budget intensive to hire a consultant to come in and work with your staff and solve your specific problems. I’m committed to it, but there are only so many hours in the day.
So, what is a feasible solution to this so those implementing transitional math under the PWR Act in Illinois are supported? First, I’ve brought on new consultants in Illinois who can work with high schools and colleges in different ways to help them with implementation. That allows us to serve the requests of the schools who want the personal touch we provide. Second, I’m partnering with Illinois ASCD to offer in-person professional development. In January and February, I have full day workshops for teachers so they can teach transitional math in the way it was intended and enjoy doing so. Later in the year and early next year, I will be doing multiple administrator academies for transitional math to help administrators with the issues they will face. Third, I’m doing a variety of online training to have an affordable option with a large reach. Currently we have the advising workshop available for purchase. Later this month, we have a course coming out for portability. More on that in the next blog. And this isn’t all. I’m currently building a program for Illinois community colleges that I’ll be sharing about this month. Everyone on my Illinois team is working on implementation at their own high schools and colleges, so they understand your challenges and can work with you to address them.
“But what if you’re in Tennessee, California, New Jersey, or any other state that isn’t Illinois?
You are our focus starting in 2020.”
But what if you’re in Tennessee, California, New Jersey, or any other state that isn’t Illinois? You are our focus starting in 2020. I’ve brought on talented consultants from all over the country who you will have the opportunity to work with and learn from starting in February. We have an online course or workshop almost every month of this year. From teaching math more actively to working with faculty on reform, we have a broad range of offerings in the online space coming to you, at your convenience, and at a price that works for your budget. If you want a more personalized experience from one or more of our consultants, we will work with you to set up professional development they can provide for your school. Some consultants are also experts at developing curriculum and can assist you with that if desired. Join our email list to receive updates on new courses as they are available.
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