New Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Janet Winstead

by Danny Pham

---

Mathematics has been used for about 2500 years since ancient Greece and it is very useful in the present. Math can be applied in many life activities, such as making routine budgets, construction purposes, exercising, training, sports, cooking, baking, and shopping at grocery stores as well as supermarkets. It provides an effective way of building mental discipline, encouraging logical reasoning, and mental rigor. In addition, mathematical knowledge plays a crucial role in understanding the contents of other school subjects such as science, social studies, and even music and art.

This academic year, Greenfield School has recruited a new Math (Algebra + Geometry) teacher for Grade 3, 7, 9 and 10. Her name is Mrs. Janet Winstead. She has been teaching Math for 30 years so far in 5 schools (Columbus High School, Kinston High School, Toisnot Middle School & E.T. Beddingfield High School and Greenfield School ).

Her favorite thing about being in this education is when students have an "aha" moment. It's that moment when something clicks for them mathematically. There is nothing in the world that makes her smile bigger than that.

Mrs. Winstead shared that she had taught math only, except for one SAT Prep Class at Columbus HS: "My experience includes teaching 8th grade math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Advanced Functions & Modeling, Math 1, and Math 3." She said that “Practice makes perfect”...the best way to improve as a math student is to find your errors. When you can start to identify where you make mistakes, that is a learning opportunity. Once you understand your error, you are less likely to make the same error again. Once you recognize a weak zone, practice more problems like it.

There will be a PSAT test for Sophomore and Junior students this October, Mrs. Winstead advised students to complete at least one practice test, and to do it under timed conditions to simulate the actual test. Once you get working on it, always go through and answer what you are most confident about first. After that, go back and answer everything else. There is no penalty for getting an incorrect answer. If there is still time, check your work.

In conclusion, she says that GFS is fantastic, she is so lucky to be teaching here.

Below: Mrs. Janet Winstead; photo courtesy of Jasmine Nguyen.