About Us
Mission statement defined
Multiple approaches, flexible strategies, excellent communication, exquisite/elegant solutions.
Multiple (or Flexible) Strategies/Methods/Approaches
Some people find comfort in mathematics because of certainty, "There is always a right answer and a right way to find it." While this may often be partially true for computations, it is often not true for the more complex problems we work with at Problem Solvers, Inc.
Most of the work Interns will do can be approached and solved in more than one way, which will all lead to the correct solution(s). Sometimes there is only one correct answer, and sometimes there is more than one answer that is correct. In either case, there is usually more than one strategy, or method that can be used to solve the problem.
During your internship, you will be encouraged to explore different methods. Often, you will be instructed to find more than one way to solve the problem. Sometimes you may even be given the correct answer first, and told to find multiple ways to solve for it.
Learning to use multiple strategies makes you a better problem solver by giving you more tools at your diposal, helping you develop a deeper understanding of the mathematics involved in the problem, and expanding the kinds of problems you will be able to solve.
A very simple illustration is this problem:
Anna gave four apples to each of her friends Donna, Tamika, and Brenda. What is the total number of apples she gave to her friends?
One method to solve this problem, if you have memorized multiplication facts, would be to multiply four times three, which gives the answer twelve. Another method would be repeated addition:
| Donna | 4 |
| Tamika | +4 |
| Brenda | +4 |
12 |
Or you could sketch three groups of four apples and count the total:
Depending on your skill level, one of these strategies might work best for you. Being able to do all three of them gives you a deeper understanding of what multiplication is and how it relates to addition.
Excellent communication
Not so long ago, the task of mathematics for the general public was simply to learn, practice, remember, and apply the rules/formulas. This worked for a small, select group of people for whom more advanced math/science careers were comfortably pursued. For the majority, the effect was a nation of people who "never really liked math," "hated math," "never really got math." As a result, these people were limited in their career choices.
Now, the number of career choices for people who "don't get math" are far fewer. Even living has become more complex mathematically. It seems that getting a mortgage or investing your money requires an advanced degree.
We used to imagine mathematicians and scientists locked in tiny dark rooms lost in thought with a stack of paper and an endless supply of erasers. The truth is that most mathematicians and scientists work collaboratively. This helps them in numerous ways. They get to share ideas. Try out their solutions and get immediate feedback.
Most of us cannot simply hear an idea, do it a few times, and understand it. We need to hear it, try it, discuss it, try it again, practice articulating our understanding, clarifying, and finally understanding the new concept. This is how most of your math learning will occur during your internship. We collaborate and communicate in order to more fully understand.
Exquisite/elegant solutions
"When I'm working on a problem, I never think about beauty. I think only how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong."
R. Buckminster Fuller
Introducing your CEO (Chief Education Officer)
Liz Andreasen has spent her working life as a problem solver. She started as a social worker, job trainer, and advocate for adults with disabilities. She became a vocational counselor advising and supporting injured workers in career changes. She found that everything she had done was essentially helping people to develop skills. Now as a math teacher she is focusing on teaching specific problem solving skills. She believes that these skills are the keys to open doors of choices and opportunities.
Ms. Andreasen is a life-long learner
- Bachelor's of Arts in Social Work and Women's Studies - University of California, Berkeley
- Certificate in American Sign Language – Vista Community College, Berkeley, California
- Master's of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and Marriage, Family & Child Counseling – San Francisco State University, California
- Graduate Teacher Certificate – Antioch University, Seattle, Washington
- National Board Certification for Teachers Candidate – University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
She believes what Henry Ford said:
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." She intends to stay young forever!
Ms. Andreasen is joyfully married and lives in Ballard with her daughter Maya, dog Sammy, and hamster Charlie. She loves to quilt and garden.
Introducing your CIO (Chief Instructional Officer)
Traci DeMarco
(photo and biography to come)
Training Assistant Opportunities
All interns are expected to take on various roles (Project Manager, Resource Manager, Documentation Lead, and Personnel/Presenter), and are encouraged to participate in peripheral roles. These peripheral roles are opportunities for Training Assistants during each session (period 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). These include:
- Technical Lead(s) – The Technical Lead ensures that the technology in the room is running appropriately and supports the Presenter or Resource Manager as needed. The technology includes the Calculators, Document Camera, Laptop, Internet, and Video Equipment.
- Print Media Manager(s) – The Print Media Manager is responsible for the public record documents. This may include writing on poster paper, typing class discussions, and posting the information. The Print Media Manager is expected to check that documents are not outdated or irrelevant to current training needs.
- Game Master(s) – The Game Master's role is critical for the development of problem solving skills. Through games of logic and strategy, we become better problem solvers. The Game Master(s) must become an expert at one or more games/puzzles and be prepared to teach and support others in learning that game/puzzle.
