Oluwakemi Nkechinyere Omar

Web page: http://omarprincipal.weebly.com/

I would be honored to receive a leadership position in the mathematics subject area.

EDUCATION

University of Houston Downtown, Houston, TX, 08/2008-12/2010

Bachelors of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Certification: 4-8 Generalists, ESL Education

EXPERIENCE

Teaching:
Teacher, Aldine ISD, Houston, TX, 2010-Present
5th grade math inclusion teacher 01/2011- 06/2011
6th grade science and social studies teacher 08/2011 06/2012
5th grade math teacher 08/2012 06/2017
5th grade gifted and talented (GT) math teacher 08/2017 - present
Substitute Teacher, Humble ISD, Humble, TX, Aug. 2009 2010
Substitute Teacher, Spring ISD, Spring, TX, Nov. 2009 2010

HONORS/AWARDS

University of Houston-Downtown Deans List: 2008, 2009, 2010

Gordon and Mary Cain Student Teacher Scholarship

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Teaching is not only about getting students to learn content, to pass tests, and move on to the next grade

level. Intentional teachers care about the physical, intellectual, and social well-being of the student. The methods

practiced in the classroom should promote students growth in and outside of the school setting. Constructionism

and pragmatism encompass methods which cultivate students who know how to independently reason, assess and

solve problems, and think critically.

It is important for students to engage in self-assessment in the classroom. In my classroom, I require

students to review their work and correct their own mistakes. As a math teacher, I refrain from pointing out students

mistakes and explaining how to fix them because knowledge is not transmitted but constructed (Stager, 2001).

Instead, I have the students go back and walk me through each step they took before getting to their final answer.

Then, I ask the students where they made a mistake and to explain why they think they made that mistake. As the

student explains why the mistake was made, I clear up misconceptions by referring the student back to their notes. In
the philosophy of constructionism, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky believe young children are curious and actively

involved in their own learning and the discovery and development of new understanding (McLeod, 2014).

As I encourage my students to become independent learners, my job becomes easier. Of course, the main

goal is not to lighten my work load; although, it is an additional benefit. My students are always engaged as they

work through their errors and explain their thinking processes. This sense of independence enhances the learning

experience for my students and allows me to simply facilitate and guide their learning. As I continue to cultivate

independent learners, I know I am not only helping them become successful students but I am guiding them to

become productive adults.

REFERENCES

Adrian Torres, Assistant Principal, ajtorres@aldineisd.org, 713269-4537

Christi VanWassenhove, Principal, cvanwassehove@aldineisd.org, 832-452-9537
Wilkie Law, Math Instructional Specialist, wvlaw@aldineisd.org, 281-748-3253