Spotlight: Marissa McCarthy (OH '23)

Ohio Milken Educator Marissa McCarthy utilizes project-based learning to make math meaningful to her students and draws experience from working as a math and science tutor in high school. She joined the Future of Educators of America club, where she found a mentor in her sixth grade teacher. Today, her students benefit from a "thinking classroom” and grow more resilient, collaborative and understanding each day. “I hope my students remember that I love them and that I was passionate about what I taught them.  I want them to know and fully believe everyone can learn math.” Marissa received a 2023-24 Ohio Milken Educator Award in Lewis Center on November 30, 2023.

Milken Family Foundation: How have students responded since your Milken Educator Award surprise?

Marissa McCarthy (OH '23): My students have responded to my award in a very sweet way. When they take the time to say I deserved to be recognized, it really means a lot to me. Several of their parents have also congratulated me, which is really special. One of my students was holding one of the green zeros during the surprise assembly. She signed and dated it for me and left it on my desk. I will keep it hanging in my classroom forever as a sweet reminder of that day.   

MFF: Is there an experience you had in the classroom as a student that shaped who you are as an educator?  

McCarthy: An experience that shaped my motivation to become a teacher was volunteering for a "tutoring on Tuesdays" program in high school. I enjoyed tutoring middle school students in math and science, so I decided to join the Future Educators of America club. Through that club, I reconnected with my wonderful sixth grade teacher, Charlene Bakalar. I had the opportunity to visit her classroom for a few hours every week. She took me under her wing and taught me a lot about the field of education. She was my mentor throughout college and was always a huge cheerleader in my life. I owe a lot to her and the other amazing teachers I had throughout my K-12 experience.  

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. 

McCarthy: My first year of teaching I taught sixth grade science in Dunedin, Florida. My classroom was next door to my amazing department head, Amanda Weinberg. She went above and beyond to help me through that year. Any time I wanted to see a science lab in action, she would invite me to co-teach her first period class during my planning time. Some memories that stand out about that year are meeting other teachers that turned into lifelong friends. The first year of teaching is very overwhelming and challenging. Their advice, friendship, and encouragement added a lot of positivity to that experience. 

MFF: What do you hope students remember from their time with you?

McCarthy: I hope my students remember that I love them and that I was passionate about what I taught them. I want them to walk away from my classroom feeling confident in their math abilities and empowered to accomplish their goals. I want them to know and fully believe everyone can learn math.   

MFF: Project-based learning (PBL) has been an important tool in your classroom and schoolwide where you organize your team's PBL Olympics. What is your favorite strategy to make math concepts engaging to students? How has PBL impacted your classroom? 

 McCarthy: Project-based learning impacted my classroom because it taught me a lot about making math meaningful to my students. I attended a semester-long PBL institute alongside my student teacher at Otterbein University. I was inspired to take ideas back to my PBL team and use the PBL model to implement some cross-curricular projects. I have also become very passionate about the teaching strategies outlined in Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl. I have transformed my classroom into a "thinking classroom" over the past two years and noticed a huge difference in my students’ resilience, collaboration, and understanding. I have learned how to be a facilitator on their journey to discover new math concepts. My favorite strategy to make math engaging for students is using materials you don't usually use to learn math and creating experiences that pose a fun problem to solve. For example, mixing paint incorrectly "by accident," then using ratios to fix the mistake and make the right color. 

MFF: What advice would you share with people who are interested in becoming teachers?  

McCarthy: If you're interested in becoming a teacher and you love working with kids, you have the foundation to love this job! Plan to learn from everyone around you. Even after 16 years of teaching, I am continually learning from the teachers in my building, and they collectively help me grow. Don't be afraid to try new things or make mistakes. During your pre-service years, try to get into as many classrooms as you can to experience different age groups, content areas, schools and teaching styles. Lastly, find a mentor (or several). 

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days? 

McCarthy: My current project is learning how to implement the Mathematics Vision Project algebra one curriculum, while continuing to transform my classroom into a "thinking classroom." In the fall, I get to welcome eighth graders into my classroom that I taught in sixth grade.I cannot wait to see them again!

Watch our interview with Marissa McCarthy (OH '23) on the day of her Milken Award notification: