Meet New MS Math Teacher Ms. Boender!
posted July 29, 2021
We are so glad to have Olivia Boender joining our team this year to teach 7/8th Math. This will be her first year of teaching, and we are so glad it’s with us! We asked her some questions so that you can get to know her a bit before the school year begins.
Why did you want to teach at Cardinal?
When I first interviewed at Cardinal, I enjoyed the people and atmosphere. The staff seems to genuinely care about the students and that's the kind of school I want to be apart of. I also grew up in rural Iowa so Cardinal reminds me of home.
What do you like about teaching math?
I like math because it is a challenge, and I like to conquer challenges. Anyone can learn in math because the content learned is only a small part compared to the life skills such as problem solving, persevering and communicating accurately that math teaches.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
My favorite part of being a teacher includes getting to know the students and watching them learn and grow. I like teaching math especially because it can be discouraging for students when we hit hard content, but when it clicks, it's fun to watch their reactions.
What is your ultimate goal as a teacher?
My goal as a teacher is to help students learn and learn about how they operate. Not every student learns the same way, and I want to be able to know my students well enough that I can figure out how each student learns, teach in a way that meets their needs, and teach my students ways to meet their own needs.
What do you hope students take away from your class this year?
I hope a takeaway my students have is that they are capable, that they are stronger than what they know. Life is tough, math is tough, but so are they.
Fun Facts/Hobbies:
I lived in Mexico for three months studying abroad. I grew up with my family on a farm where my siblings and I would raise bucket bottle calves. We would show them at the fair every summer. I love hanging out with friends and family.
