Clare came to VI with 29 years of experience in education as a middle school mathematics teacher at the Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School in Essex Junction. She has also served as an adjunct professor at St. Michael's College, teaching a standards-based mathematics curriculum; and is a teacher associate with Teachers Development Group for Portland, Oregon. Her recent work centers around best practices in math education, through a course which allows teachers to examine research and reflect on their own teaching experiences to identify classroom practice which will enhance student understanding of mathematics. “I share in the vision that all children can construct valid mathematical meaning for themselves if given the appropriate opportunities. I am very much looking forward to working with Vermont teachers to facilitate the implementation of standards-based instruction and pedagogy to create these opportunities.”

Working with VI, Clare facilitates a Best Practices in Teaching Mathematics course for teachers, as well as content training in Visual Approaches to Teaching Mathematics. She will also provide classroom support for math teachers. Clare is a graduate of Middlebury College with a B.A. in mathematics, and earned her Masters Degree in Education from St. Michael's College.

Sheila Rivers
K-6 Mathematics Specialist

Sheila has been an elementary classroom teacher since 1993, and works as part of the Vermont Portfolio process as a Portfolio Network Leader. Sheila's work mainly involves Professional Development for teachers in the area of Standards-based mathematics instruction, with classroom support. She is both a "Best-Practices" facilitator, and co-developer and facilitator for the Unit Workshop in Everyday Math. This year she will also support the assessment teams' charge for development of grade-level expectations and assessment items.

Sheila's other interests include skiing, gardening and the Cape Cod beaches. She just completed her Master's in Educational Leadership at UVM. Sheila lives in Waterbury with her husband Chris and their three children.

Updated July 29, 2004