-
Jonathan Motts
They’ve done the math - maximizing volume of spaces, rational functions, polynomial functions, and a cost-analysis of their product. It checks out.
Next, they will create a prototype of their inaugural product on a 3-D printer as they prepare to launch their new brand.
Is this the work of a new start-up, or a corporation looking to expand its base? No. It’s a math project in NeoCity Academy’s Algebra II class, taught by Jonathan Motta, who was recently named as Osceola County School District’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.
When the students apply the principles of mathematics to real-world scenarios, such as in this business model, and see firsthand its tangible applications, they no longer feel compelled to ask Motta, “Why do I have to take this class? When am I ever going to use algebra?” That makes their teacher smile.
As noted in an Osceola County School District press release, Motta has accomplished much in his seven years as an educator in Osceola county. He has been involved with innovative approaches to teaching since early in his career. After his first year he became an AVID (advancement via individual determination) teacher and coordinator for his school. As stated on its website, “AVID helps teachers shift from delivering content to facilitating learning, resulting in an inquirybased, student-centric classroom.”
Motta explains how this approach has been incorporated in Osceola schools.
“It is basically like a high school and college prep course that our district offers middle schoolers and high schoolers. It teaches them soft skills like organization and public speaking,” he said.
He added that the class helps to prepare students for life after high school, whether they go on to college, a trade school, the military or some other endeavor.
In 2018, he was one of seven teachers selected to help open NeoCity Academy, the district’s STEM-magnet high school (science, technology, engineering, and math) where he uses the principles he learned with AVID in his innovative math assignments. He feels it is important that his students get a well-rounded education.
“They’re definitely techsavvy students, but they are missing some of those other skills. That’s why I try to incorporate those into the projects, into the work that I do in my math classes,” he said.
Motta grew up in Osceola County and graduated from Celebration High School. What made this college business and music major at Florida Southern College in Lakeland decide to stay in Osceola County and teach? He said that he had some “incredible teachers” while he was an Osceola County student, but he felt there was a gap in the traditional classroom format, “…taking notes, practicing problems and taking a test at the end of the each week, at the end of each unit, and moving on to the next,” that he wanted to fill. He wanted to expand from teaching to a test, to teaching students how the principles they were learning had application in their lives. And, to teach them these other important life skills.
Motta’s ninth and tenth grade algebra and geometry students also get the benefit of his musical expertise at NeoCity Academy. As a STEM school, NeoCity is not focused on the arts, but the school has a music room / studio where the students can choose to go during the week. There, Motta helps those so inclined to learn about music.
“I get the opportunity to work with the kids there and help them write music, help them learn songs, learn instruments, record - help them do whatever it is musically that they want to do,” he said.
What does this “teacher of the year” find most rewarding about being an educator?
“I like seeing the growth and the development the students make from the first day that you interact with them until the end of the school year,” he said.
He likes to challenge his students to push themselves to learn and figure out their goals and passions in life. And, he likes to challenge himself to keep making math interesting and relevant to his students.
He said, “That’s one of the things at NeoCity that I have really been able to work on and figure out some ways that we can incorporate some upper level math into stuff that actually matters to students. That to me is one of the most rewarding parts about it.”
With that in mind, the students’ project is not complete with their 3-D prototype. The student groups with the most viable product(s) - the ones who really “did the math” will get to continue the process and actually produce their product at the “maker lab” at the school - a room that shares space with the music room and is equipped with a 3-D printer, sewing machines, and other tools to bring their products to life. They will ultimately present and sell their product to faculty members, parents, families and friends during a school presentation. At the beginning of the project, they chose a charity that their project would benefit, and after selling their product they will make a financial donation to that charity.
Motta encourages students to apply to NeoCity Academy if they want something that’s new and different, if they want to be able to apply the concepts they are learning, rather than just sitting in a classroom and taking notes. He exudes enthusiasm for his profession, his school, and its program.
“I think what we are doing is different and unique. I can’t go back to teaching the way I used to after teaching at NeoCity. It really has changed my entire outlook on education and teaching. It’s such and incredible experience that I get to work there,” he said.
Motta will represent Osceola County at the state level for the Florida Department of Education’s 2021 Teacher of the Year Program.
