Janet McLain Bio
1. Where did you go to college and why did
you choose this school?
I went to North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, thirty
miles north of Dallas. I chose North Texas because it had a strong music
program. I knew I wanted to teach, and was going to have music as a minor, but
ended up switching to art.
2. Where have you taught? What grade level(s)?
I
started out in 1980 at Mapleton, a small logging town 45 miles west of Eugene
and 15 miles east of Florence. For
someone who had grown up in New Jersey and then been transplanted to Houston,
Texas my senior year of high school, it was quite a switch to go to a school
district that had 25 students in a senior class! While there I taught full day
Kindergarten, first, fourth, fifth, and eighth. I am now in Bend and have
taught fifth, sixth, and this year I am teaching full day kindergarten.
3. What is your current professional focus
(job)?
I am teaching full day Kindergarten.
4. How and why did you get involved with
OCTM?
As a participant in OMLI- Oregon Math Leadership Institute, we
received a free membership. I have continued to belong.
5.
What kind of math leadership roles have you taken in the Oregon Math
Community?
School and district level math stuff, OMLI, being an OCTM rep, and
this year I will also be on the Oregon Content and Standards Assessment
Committee.
6. What are you passionate about (personal
or professional)?
My problem is I am passionate about too many things. I guess I'll narrow it down to family and learning to lead teachers in the understandings of how to teach mathematics and to focus more on student's understanding in all that they teach.
7.
What one word do you think best describes you?
I'm still learning to set some boundaries, so a few years ago I would have said, "Yes" describes me. Now it is still "Yes", but with a more tentative, thoughtful look on my face.