Coaches

Linda Paparella is in her 5th year as part of the Metamorphosis team. After 11 years of classroom experience in New York City she enjoys working with teachers and school administrators to build on and develop math teaching and learning practices. Linda earned her Masters of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education and returned to Bank Street for a second Masters in Leadership in Mathematics Education. Linda taught in a variety of environments including public elementary and middle schools in Districts 2 and 3, a high needs charter school in District 5, and an independent school in the Bronx. Within these schools, Linda taught in general ed, ICT, and small group settings, and this wide range of experience informs her coaching. With her background in Special Education, Linda is especially passionate about making math fun and accessible to all students by setting high standards, building on students’ knowledge, providing scaffolding, and designing multiple entry points to math concepts. She aims to help teachers break down negative math beliefs that they and their students may hold about themselves and construct new, curious, more confident self-concepts regarding math. Linda wants students to play with numbers, seek out patterns, make connections, be problem solvers, explain and model strategies, and be flexible thinkers. She believes that math is not just a discrete class period, but can be woven throughout the school day as a vital part of community building and classroom management with connections to all content areas. Linda’s work with teachers lies at the intersection of mathematics education, special education, and social justice as she believes that changes in the way math is taught and learned can be transformative.