Mathematics & Statistics
Coulee Region Math Teachers' Circle (CRMC)
About Us
The Coulee Region Math Teachers’ Circle (CRMC) is a professional development program offered through UWL. The directors are Nathan Warnberg and Whitney George. Both Nathan and Whitney have been involved with professional (content) development for teachers and decided to join forces to start the CRMC in the La Crosse area. The CRMC is a member of the National Association of Math Circles.
The mission of the Coulee Region Math Teachers' Circle is to create a professional development community of mathematicians and math educators. We believe that thinking about, working with, and solving mathematics is a fun and enlightening activity that can be enjoyed by all people independent of their level of mathematical training.
We believe that by supporting each others’ views of mathematics, mathematical knowledge and pedagogy we can form a united mathematical community to best serve the Wisconsin Coulee Region. The Coulee Region Math Teachers' Circle values the profession, culture, and work of all people who use and teach mathematics. We work on accessible, open-ended mathematical problems and believe that each member brings a unique viewpoint to each of these problems.
2017-2018 Schedule
We will be meeting on the UWL campus in Centennial Hall room 3100 from 5pm - 7pm. You are welcome to attend all of the meetings or even just a few! If you are interested, please contact Nathan Warnberg (nwarnberg@uwlax.edu) or Whitney George (wgeorge@uwlax.edu). The dates for our meetings are:
- October 18, 2017
- November 15, 2017
- February 21, 2018
- April 18, 2018
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is a math circle?
- Math circles have existed in Russia since the 1930s and in Bulgaria for over a century. Traditional math circles are designed for high school students using a simple concept: If students enjoy math, then let’s give them a way to do math as an extracurricular activity. When the concept of a math circle came to the United States in the 1990s, it was not long before people started expanding on the idea of math circles. Today, there are math circles designed for elementary and middle school students. There are also math circles designed for teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools. Despite the variety of math circles, the unifying idea for all math circles is to bring people together to celebrate and explore the beauty of mathematics.
- How can I participate in CRMC?
- Simple! Just send Nathan (nwarnberg@uwlax.edu) or Whitney (wgeorge@uwlax.edu) an email letting us know of your interest. As long as space is available, you are welcome to attend our meetings.
- Simple! Just send Nathan (nwarnberg@uwlax.edu) or Whitney (wgeorge@uwlax.edu) an email letting us know of your interest. As long as space is available, you are welcome to attend our meetings.
- When and where are the CRMC sessions held?
- The Coulee Region Math Circles hold their meetings on the UWL campus. We meet from 5-7pm on one Wednesday each a month.
- The Coulee Region Math Circles hold their meetings on the UWL campus. We meet from 5-7pm on one Wednesday each a month.
- Does it cost anything to participate in CRMC?
- Participating in our meetings is completely free. In fact, we will reimburse you for travel and provide a catered dinner.
- Participating in our meetings is completely free. In fact, we will reimburse you for travel and provide a catered dinner.
- Can I get credit for being a part of CRMC?
- You can get one graduate credit for this course at a reduced rate of $110. Contact Nathan Warnberg (nwarnberg@uwlax.edu) or Whitney George (wgeorge@uwlax.edu) if you are interested and they can give you more information.
- You can get one graduate credit for this course at a reduced rate of $110. Contact Nathan Warnberg (nwarnberg@uwlax.edu) or Whitney George (wgeorge@uwlax.edu) if you are interested and they can give you more information.
- This is a great program that I want to be a part of, but I can’t commit to attending every meeting. Is this a problem?
- Absolutely not. We don’t expect you to be able to attend all of the meetings. If you can attend just one, we’d love to have you!! We hope that you will find even just one meeting beneficial to you.
- Absolutely not. We don’t expect you to be able to attend all of the meetings. If you can attend just one, we’d love to have you!! We hope that you will find even just one meeting beneficial to you.
- How will joining CRMC help me as a teacher?
- Not only will you meet other teachers from the Coulee Region, you will get the chance to think about some really cool math problems. These are not the typical problems that you’re used to being assigned. Instead, these are problems which encourage deep thinking and creativity. By learning how to be creative with math, you will be able to encourage your students to do so in the classes you teach. We will also provide you with lesson plans that relate to our meetings.
- Not only will you meet other teachers from the Coulee Region, you will get the chance to think about some really cool math problems. These are not the typical problems that you’re used to being assigned. Instead, these are problems which encourage deep thinking and creativity. By learning how to be creative with math, you will be able to encourage your students to do so in the classes you teach. We will also provide you with lesson plans that relate to our meetings.
- How can I donate to CRMC?
- All money we receive goes directly back to the participants. Without the support of our community, we would not be able to provide the support for our teachers. If you are interested in donating supplies, money, or other goods, please contact Nathan Warnberg (nwarnberg@uwlax.edu) or Whitney George (wgeorge@uwlax.edu).