In a quick moment between turning their homework in and beginning the lesson the students expertly move the conversation from solving equations to concerts they’ve been to.

“I went to a Beastie Boys concert in Canada,” Rightmeier said. “We had a road trip from New York.”

The students seemed excited about how easy it is for Rightmeier to relate to them. However, after a few moments in which the class shares their favorite concert experience Rightmeier leads them back to the math path and starts the lesson.

It’s their second lesson on solving equations and the students all groan. Rightmeier just smiles and repeats everything she is teaching about 20 times. It’s effective, after about the 15th time the kids start to repeat it back to her. Her teaching technique hasn’t changed since I was a student in her class and honestly I’m not surprised. Math with Rightmeier always seemed easier than other teachers I’d had in the past. She smiles at them again and then she delivers her final blow.

“Well, I’m glad you’re getting this because we’re going to have a pop quiz!” she says.

There is another chorus of groaning and Rightmeier continues with her lesson. The closer she gets to ending it the quieter the students get. They all look a little worried about this upcoming pop quiz and some are consulting their notes.

Finally she tells them to split up their desks and we spend the rest of the hour in silence. I don’t get the chance to talk to Rightmeier about much, even while the tests are out, she’s too busy wandering amongst the classroom, offering help to those who need it.

Lunch 11:05-11:30

As soon as all the students file out Rightmeier takes out her giant teacher’s copy of the algebra book.

“I  guess I should plan for the next class.” she said, flipping through the pages.

She skims the pages of the lesson the kids are learning and finally shuts the book and starts looking for the  “Factoring Dominoes” in her drawers (something my class never got to play when I was in Algebra II).