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Room 17 is dedicated to ensuring every child has an equal opportunity to excel in math. Our nonprofit's core belief is that all students, regardless of their background, deserve high-quality math education.
Spread the Joy of Math through engaging experiences and eliminate math phobia.
As a community-centered nonprofit, we believe that a positive attitude towards math helps everyone thrive. Join us in fostering a love for learning and building a brighter future.
Monica Cavender is a dedicated educator and enthusiastic mathematics education advocate. As a full-time professor of elementary mathematics with over 30 years of experience, Monica brings a wealth of knowledge and a contagious passion for teaching. She holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, underscoring her commitment to advancing mathematical understanding at all levels.
Monica firmly believes that everyone has the potential to think mathematically. Her innovative approach includes incorporating engaging games and activities that transform math learning into a joyful experience. Her classroom is a hub of discovery and creativity, where smiles and laughter are as common as learning.
Monica’s work extends beyond the classroom as she actively shares her insights and strategies with fellow educators, fostering a community where math is accessible and enjoyable for all. Her dedication to making math fun and approachable continues to inspire students and colleagues alike.
Sara Kaminski, affectionately known as “The Math Queen” by her students, is a dynamic educator dedicated to making math accessible and enjoyable for learners of all ages. Currently serving as an elementary math specialist, Sara brings extensive experience from her previous role as a middle school math instructional coach, where she fostered a love for math among her students and colleagues alike.
Sara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology, a Master’s in Teaching Leadership with a focus on Mathematics, and a Sixth Year Degree in Educational Leadership (092 certification). Her diverse educational background equips her with the skills and insights necessary to support both students and educators in developing strong mathematical foundations.
Driven by her passion for teaching and learning, Sara strives to instill a lifelong love of learning in her students and fellow educators. Her goal is to nurture the habits of mind that characterize confident mathematicians, empowering everyone to approach math with curiosity and confidence.
I joined Room 17 Math because I saw the benefits their tutoring program had firsthand. They help students not only gain mathematical skills, but also the confidence to tackle math on their own in a fun and educational way. With over a decade of experience in marketing and analysis, I was thrilled to join the board when the opportunity arose.
I joined the board of Room 17 to support the dedicated founders and help further their mission of spreading the joy of mathematics—something I love doing every day. It’s my pleasure to use my business experience and love of math to support initiatives that make a real difference in helping children understand and enjoy math.
I joined Room17 because I truly feel that this organization helps each and every student grow in their relationship with math. As a 5th grade math teacher with a master’s degree in teaching I see how the strategies and engaging games meet the needs of children.
It began humbly around a small table at a local coffee shop. Two local moms who are both math educators with a shared passion to eliminate math phobia. Sara and Monica met when Monica’s son was in Sara’s fourth grade classroom (Room 17). Conversations swirled around why can’t math be fun? Why can’t we use what we know works with kids to help them smile and do mathematical thinking at the same time?
Our journey began with a simple belief: math shouldn’t be a chore, it should be a playground! We saw too many kids dreading numbers, trapped in rote memorization and dry formulas. We knew there had to be a better way, a way to light the spark of curiosity, the thrill of discovery, the sheer joy of using math to understand the world around us.We sketched out a plan on a pastry napkin. Put a pilot summer program in place. Kids loved it, so parents loved it! Our “roomies” asked for more! Parents couldn’t believe it! So we now have year round services that include one to one tutoring, summer math camp, family math nights, community events, and collaborations with the local public school system, parochial school, YMCA, community art center, and public library. Room 17 became a beacon for curious minds.
That’s how we became Room 17, a non-profit dedicated to spreading the infectious joy of math through engaging experiences. We’re not just about teaching math, we’re about unlocking the magic within numbers, building problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the classroom and celebrating the math that is all around us daily.
The Opportunities: Endless Horizons of Math Magic
With every child’s “aha!” moment, with every burst of laughter during a math game, we see the boundless potential. We see opportunities to:
Demystify math: Break down the walls of fear and replace them with wonder. Show kids that math isn’t just equations on a page, it’s the rhythm of the universe, the language of patterns, the key to unlocking countless possibilities.
Spark creativity: Ignite a love for exploration, where every question leads to a thrilling discovery. Math becomes a playground, not a prison, where imagination and logic dance hand-in-hand.
Build confidence: Empower children to embrace challenges, to see mistakes as stepping stones, and to believe in their own ability to solve problems. Math becomes a journey of self-discovery, not a measure of worth.
Nurture a love of learning: Create a community where curiosity is contagious, where collaboration thrives, and where the joy of learning extends far beyond the classroom. Math becomes a lifelong adventure, not just a subject in a textbook or timed test.
The shy girl who found her voice explaining fractions to her classmates.
The boy who, once intimidated by algebra, now tackles complex equations with a grin.
The entire community comes together for our annual “Sidewalk Math, and Math in Art at the Gallery” where families come together to talk about their perspectives of mathematical thinking.
Our journey isn’t without obstacles. We face:
Limited resources: Securing funding to reach more children and develop innovative programs.
Changing traditional mindsets: Breaking down the ingrained fear and negative perceptions surrounding math education.
Reaching underserved communities: Ensuring every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to engaging math experiences.
Scaling our impact: Finding sustainable ways to share our knowledge and inspire others to join the math-magic revolution.
But these challenges only fuel our determination. Every hurdle we overcome, every child we reach, every smile we spark, is a testament to the power of fun in math. We are not just educators, we are adventurers, explorers, and dreamers. We believe that every child deserves the chance to discover the joy of math, regardless of socioeconomic status and prior background in learning math. We will not rest until every roomie becomes a Room 17, where numbers dance and curiosity takes flight!
