Executive Director of reSolve Dr Steve Thornton said that Jeni had been selected because of her dedication to ensuring students have the best possible maths education and her commitment to sharing knowledge with colleagues.

“We are delighted that so many passionate and committed teachers want to be part of this exciting initiative and are eager to take the work of the reSolve team across Australia now and into the future,” Dr Thornton said.

In her role as a Champion of reSolve, Jeni works with colleagues at her school and in the local region to trial reSolve resources, conduct professional learning and promote a spirit of inquiry in school maths.

“Not only do I get to team teach with amazing, dedicated classroom teachers who have committed with me to use these engaging and challenging lessons, but I also get to witness the 100% engagement of students,” she said.

“Students are in the classroom enjoying Maths and applying their problem-solving skills to real challenges that involve them working cooperatively and developing their efficiency and reasoning strategies,

“Students can enter and exit at varying levels of the lesson, but all students are achieving, consolidating and applying new learning to their mathematical journey.”

St Bernard’s Principal Jacqueline Heffernan said that Jeni is a wonderful ambassador for the teaching profession and the school, which has been trialling reSolve resources in Years K-6 sincy July 2017.

“Jeni’s passion for teaching makes mathematics rewarding, enjoyable and engaging experience for every child at St Bernard’s," said Jacqueline.

“Our teachers have welcomed the implementation of the reSolve resources and are really enjoying the collaborative approach to teaching and peer mentoring.”

Here's what the students have to say about their reSolve Maths by Inquiry lessons:

“We use all the things that we have learnt from Kindy to Year 3. It’s not too hard or too easy, everyone gives it a go. We try and find as many efficient strategies as we can to solve challenges”. –Lincoln Dell

“Ms McCarthy has made Maths fun and it’s like a game”. – Angus Blythe

“It’s a challenge, but we get to work with a partner”. – Elliott Quinn

St Bernard’s is thrilled to be part of this great initiative and looks forward to continuing with the reSolve project throughout 2018. As part of the reSolve project Jeni McCarthy and the St Bernard’s staff are excited to share their reSolve experience with others.

Jeni can be contacted at St Bernard’s jeni.mccarthy@cg.catholic.edu.au or contact Dr Steve Thornton steve.thornton@science.org.au for more information on the project.​

The ReSolve Mathemative by Inquiry is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, managed by the Australian Academy of Science in collaboration with the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers.