Congratulations to MHS math teacher Bette Sloane who was among 365 teachers from across the United States to win a Fund for Teachers Fellowship Grant.

As a recipient of this award, Ms. Sloane received $5,000 to fund her summer travel to Australia and New Zealand, where she explored the rich connections of art, math and culture through experiential learning.

Ms. Sloane’s proposal to Fund for Teachers was “to explore the mathematical motifs present in the art of the indigenous cultures of Australia (Aboriginal Dreamtime art) and New Zealand (Maori Ta Moko traditional tattoo art) and develop class projects rooted in community and culture that connect geometric concepts to art while honoring a First Nations perspective.”

Some of her travel highlights included the Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand, taking a painting class taught by an Aboriginal Australian artist and learning about Dreamtime art, learning firsthand about traditional Mari tattoo art from experts in “ta moko” history and culture, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and, of course, driving on the left side of the road!

Ms. Sloane is excited to bring these cultural connections and these learning experiences into her geometry classroom to share with her learners and colleagues.

This is Ms. Sloane’s third time being awarded the Fund for Teachers Fellowship. In 2019, she received a travel grant that funded her trip to China and Japan. In 2021 she was accepted into the Innovation Circles program where she contributed to a project on equity in education.

Date Added: 9/6/2024