The Mathematics Department focuses on curriculum and instruction in all areas of mathematics, with an emphasis on thinking skills through a balance of number sense, computation, reasoning, analysis, mathematical modeling, problem solving, and technology. As mathematics teachers, our goal at all levels is to provide instruction that engages and challenges students in learning environments that are encouraging, developmentally appropriate, and provide opportunities for students to gain an appreciation of mathematics and an understanding of how mathematics is connected to all aspects of everyday life.

Students in preschool through grade 6 participate in a variety of educational activities related to mathematics. The goal of the elementary mathematics program is to teach students to become proficient in the content of elementary mathematics in the areas of number relationships, computation, geometry, measurement, statistics, probability, and algebra. The math department emphasizes the importance of the student’s strong number sense and conceptual understanding of numbers prior to learning algorithms. It is essential for children to understand the flexibility of numbers and how to solve the same problem in more than one way using multiple strategies, rather than just rote computation. Students explore concepts through problem solving, reasoning, communicating ideas about math, and making connections between math and other subjects, as well as to the real world.  Students are given opportunities to enrich and extend concepts and ideas within the mathematics program at each grade level.

The mathematics courses in the middle grades transition students from the foundational skills learned in elementary grades through the preparation for Algebra 1 and beyond. These courses are designed to provide students with opportunities to think mathematically and communicate their mathematical understanding. The program emphasizes the conceptual development of mathematical processes that enable students to bridge from arithmetic to abstract concepts and algebraic models, presenting a continuum of skills in the content areas of fractions, decimals, integers, geometry, probability, and algebraic thinking. Problem solving, application, critical thinking, and mathematical reasoning are stressed. The middle school levels range from Pre-Algebra in Grade 7 to Accelerated Geometry in Grade 8.

The Mathematics program in grades 9 through 12 is designed to provide the opportunity for all students to develop a strong foundation in mathematics, become effective logical thinkers, and lead them to success in future education and careers. The content is taught using processes of problem solving, reasoning, making connections, and communicating mathematically using multiple representations. The sequences of courses available to students range from Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2, which fulfill state graduation requirements, to courses that prepare for or include the study of advanced mathematics such as Calculus and Statistics. The instructional level and materials for the courses are modified according to the needs of the students. Because of the sequential nature of mathematics, many courses require prerequisites in addition to teacher recommendations. Course recommendations are based on student performance data such as marking period grades, as well as system-wide and state assessment scores.

As mathematics teachers, our goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and caring environment where students will achieve success. Staff members in the math department bring forth a wealth of subject area knowledge and strong pedagogy allowing the best educational experience for our students. The K-12 Mathematics Curriculum and instructional programs are aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Mathematics. In addition to units of instruction, enduring understandings, objectives, and assessments aligned to the standards at each grade level, the curriculum and program provide teachers with extensive information and guides for differentiating instructional experiences, learning activities, and instructional resources to accommodate student learning needs and encourage the development of students’ outstanding academic and creative potentials.

Staff members meet and plan on a regular basis to provide a high- quality, rigorous mathematics program. The Mathematics department will work collaboratively to continuously review and assess current programs and curriculum, and develop new instructional programs that will support all students. Our goal is to provide classroom instruction that is motivating, engaging, sequenced logically, and aligned with the curriculum, local assessments, and state assessments. Mathematics teachers will participate in professional development related specifically to effective differentiated instruction, student-centered learning, development of useful assessments, implementation of new programs and resources, use of student performance data, and technology in the classroom. A number of teachers are also participating in programs through local universities to acquire a highly qualified status and/or to advance their mathematics content.   

Parents and community members play an integral role in the education of our students. Staff members are diligent in disseminating information about content-specific activities and assessments through classroom daily and weekly agendas, unit syllabi, email, and Google classroom.  The teachers are available to provide students with assistance on homework assignments and work missed due to absence. Teachers are available for extra help before and after school in their assigned classrooms. Students at the high school can also seek assistance in the Math Resource Room during the lunch block.
 

Faculty:

John H. Walker Middle School

Mrs. Banks- Grade 8 Foundations of Algebra, Accelerated Algebra 1

Mrs. Banya - Grade 8 Foundations of Algebra, Grade 7 Pre-Algebra

Ms. Melillo - Grade 7 Pre-Algebra, Accelerated Pre-Algebra, Grade 8 Foundation of Algebra 

Mrs. Miller - Grade 8 Foundations of Algebra, Accelerated Geometry

Mrs. Misner - Grade 7 Pre-Algebra, Accelerated Algebra 1

Ms. Reilly- Grade 7 Pre-Algebra, Grade 8 Foundations of Algebra

Mr. Sasso - Grade 7 Pre-Algebra and Accelerated Pre-Algebra

 

 

 

Nutley High School

Ms. Lambert- Department Supervisor K-12, College Algebra

Mr. Ahn - Accelerated Pre-Calculus (Honors), Advanced Geometry, Algebra 2

Mrs. Byrnes - Algebra 1, Algebra 2

Mrs. Chen- Advanced Algebra 1, Accelerated Geometry (Honors) Algebra 2, 

Mrs. Drexler- Geometry, Advanced Algebra 2, Advanced Algebra with Trigonometry

Mrs. Garibaldi -  Advanced Algebra 1, Geometry

Mr. Harbison- Algebra 1, Geometry, Integrated Algebra

Mrs. Kosakowski- Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2

Ms. Mabel- Algebra 1, Calculus, AP Calculus (AB), Stats

Mr. Picard - Accelerated Algebra 2 (Honors),  AP Calculus (AB, BC), Algebra 2

Mrs. Sanchez- Advanced Geometry, College Algebra, AP Statistics 

Mr. Sorensen- Integrated Algebra, Advanced Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus

Mr. Stolp-  Advanced Algebra 2, Integrated Algebra, Pre-Calculus,

Mrs. Tirrito - Geometry, Accelerated Geometry (Honors), Advanced Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus

Ms. Truty- Introduction to Computer Programming, AP Computer Science Principles

Mrs. Zanta- Algebra 1, Geometry