March 2025

Being a new teacher is hard.  Being a new teacher and supporting a student-centered classroom is… overwhelming.

As a veteran teacher reflecting back on my first year of teaching CPM, I actually feel a bit of discomfort when I look at old quizzes, tests, and other resources I created. When I think about how I utilized and facilitated CPM in my classroom, I am thankful for the patience my students showed me as I was learning right along with them. I know for a fact that they would have had a more refined mathematical experience had they been assigned a more seasoned teacher. To sum up how I feel about my first year of teaching, as the cool kids say, it was pretty cringe.

Get to Know Yourself as a Teacher

But while I was far from perfect, the challenges that came during my first year with CPM provided me opportunities to grow as an educator in ways I may not have if I were using a teacher-centered curriculum. Using CPM with fidelity meant putting my students’ learning needs at the forefront and trialing different classroom practices, such as Study Team and Teaching Strategies, home procedures, and assessment types. Eventually, my students and I got into a groove and the class became comfortable with the fact that Mr. Varnes was constantly trying new things.

For the remainder of this school year, I want to encourage you to get to know yourself as a teacher. Find what works best for you and your students. Take ideas from veteran CPM teachers and make them your own. Above all, though, keep student learning as the top priority.

Becoming the Teacher You Want to Be

As one who has been immersed in CPM both in the classroom and as an instructional coach, I can tell you that the first year of teaching CPM is by far the most difficult. I promise, it will get better. Notice, I did not say it will get easier. As any CPM teacher will tell you, facilitating lessons in this curriculum as it was designed is never easy. But as the years pass and you become more comfortable with the curriculum, you will slowly inch closer to the teacher you always thought you would be as you better understand your role supporting students in learning and understanding the mathematics.

Sure, some teacher moves may fall flat for you, but you will also try strategies that work better than you could have imagined. Every year that passes, you will gain a renewed confidence in your teaching ability and develop a bravery to continue to step outside of your comfort zone, where you will really refine your teaching. Not only will this make you a better teacher, but it will also help create an environment for students in your classroom to thrive.  

Teachers, Be Patient in the Progress

As the school year comes to a close, I want to encourage you to cherish these last few months. Embrace all challenges. Try as many new moves and strategies as you can. Practice regular reflection and look for opportunities to fine-tune anything that may not have gone as you originally planned.

Growth doesn’t happen overnight. Every mistake, challenge, and moment of uncertainty is an opportunity to learn and improve. Be patient with yourself and celebrate the progress, no matter how small it may seem. You’re not just teaching math—you’re shaping the minds of the future. And though this year might have felt tough at times, remember that you are laying the foundation for something truly incredible.