After nearly 6 years in the role of Director of Secondary Math Education for the state of Oklahoma, my journey is taking me in a new direction as the Assistant Executive Director in the Curriculum and Instruction Office–it is a change that is thrilling and heartbreaking! I have come to feel enormously supported and encouraged by so many math teachers across the state who have become my friends and colleagues, and the last thing I want is to leave you without someone here in the Oklahoma State Department of Education who is your advocate and champion. The search for my replacement led us to someone with exactly the right expertise, passion, and vision for mathematics in Oklahoma to build upon the momentum across our community! I’m pleased to introduce our new Director of Secondary Mathematics, Christine Koerner (rhymes with “learner!”).
Christine is originally from the Chicago suburbs and taught 6-8 grade math and Language Arts in Plainfield, Illinois for five years. When her husband, Bryan, earned a spot in the Music Education Ph.D. program at the University of Colorado-Boulder, they moved to Colorado in 2013. In Colorado, Christine taught middle school math, Algebra I, and writing. Her journey continued when they moved to Oklahoma, where Christine taught Pre Algebra and Algebra at Summit Middle School in Edmond Public Schools.
Before going into teaching, she went to the University of Missouri and earned her degree in Middle School Math and English Education, then went to Olivet Nazarene University for a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. As I’ve come to know Christine over the past few weeks, I’ve learned that she is the type of teacher who challenges her students with reasonable expectations that each one can achieve, and she makes sure that every student feels like they are safe and in a comfortable learning environment. I can already tell that she loves working with other teachers to ideate, connect, and learn from each other.
If you want to see what Christine has been up to in her first few days at the OSDE, you can check out her three EngageOK presentations below (yes, we are sending her all across the state after only 3 days in office!). She has a lot of great experience with formative assessment, intervention, and collaborative learning. Excitingly, she has a passion for building more positive attitudes around mathematics by engaging teachers, students, families, and communities in mathematical learning experiences that are joyful, challenging, and motivating.
Engage OK Presentations:
- Using Common Formative Assessments to Improve Mathematics Achievement
- Creating an Intervention Plan that Works for Teachers and Students
- Creating Mathematicians Through Math Circles
She is also interested to hear from you! She has built a survey that you can take to give her input on ideas you may be having and to let her know if you’re interested in some of the initiatives she’s beginning.
I’m certainly excited to have her on board and hope you are too! If you would like to send Christine a welcome message or letter of encouragement, connect with her on Twitter at @ChristineGoko, email her at Christine.Koerner@sde.ok.gov, or send your note to:
Oklahoma State Dept. of Education
c/o Christine Koerner
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard
, Suite 315
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
