Math | Tobe, Kevin
Welcome
Email: tobekm@haslett.k12.mi.us
Phone: (517) 339-8249
Degrees and Certifications:
BA Mathematics from Michigan State University
MA Curriculum and Instruction from Michigan State University
The 2024-2025 school year will be my 25th in Haslett, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work in such a supportive community. Our entire math department appreciates the outstanding students and parents we get to collaborate with on a daily basis. I have taught pretty much every level of math in the building during my tenure, from Beginning Algebra to Calculus II. Currently, I serve as the Department Chair for the High School and am active in working with teachers from our other buildings to improve our math curriculum and instruction.
I was honored as the 2015 Milken Educator Award recipient and served in 2017-2018 on the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council at the Michigan Department of Education. I have also served on the Alumni Advisory Board for the College of Education at Michigan State University. In June, I was invited to present at the Milken Educators Forum in Los Angeles to an audience of dynamic and inspiring educational leaders from across the country.
I hope that you find what you are seeking on your visit. If there is something that is not here, please contact me.
Milken Educator Award
Milken Educator Award
In the fall of 2015, I was presented with the prestigious Milken Educator Award at a schoolwide assembly. The award is presented each year to a select group of educators from across the country in surprise ceremonies. To read more about the Milken Foundation and their generous contributions to promoting teaching and learning, please follow the link to their website: Milken Family Foundation. Receiving this award has already provided me with several opportunities to work with outstanding educators from across the state via the Network of Michigan Educators, make multiple presentations at the State Board of Education, and connect with fellow Milken Educators from across the country.
You can also view my profile at the site for an in-depth interview, biographical information, and media related to my work: Kevin Tobe - Profile.
Recommended Supplies:
Recommended Supplies
Paper. This could be a notebook, regular lined paper, or graph paper. I have no preference as to what you use. Sometimes, graph paper just makes it a little easier to draw. Plan on using an unfathomable amount of paper to do math problems.
Pens/Pencils. Use whatever you feel comfortable with. Understand that if you turn in work done in pink highlighter on neon yellow paper, I might miss some of your solutions due to temporary blindness.
Be sure to use a color that will copy/photograph well on items that you need to upload.
Binder or folder that has the capacity to hold all of your work for a semester. You will use an unfathomable amount of paper. Most of those documents will be worth holding onto.
Google Drive makes for a great virtual binder to collect notes. I know many of you appreciate hard copies of notes, though. Let your good friends at Amazon know they could be shipping several printer cartridges your way.
Graphing calculator Seriously, you cannot make it through the year without some type of calculating device. You can use Desmos as a calculator during class unless we are taking a quiz or test. Typically, students get a TI-84+, TI-89 Titanium, or a TI Inspire.
Suggested Items:
You might want to consider bringing these to class:
Art Supplies (markers, colored pencils, etc…) We will be making lots of drawings in this class. Sometimes it is helpful to have multiple colors to show distinct figures.
Tissues (for when you are sick, not for when you are crying after getting a test back).
Classroom Technology
Technology Integration
Google Classroom
I use Google Classroom to post classroom notes, assignments, important links, and resources for each of my classes. Students are given a classroom code at the beginning of each year to access the site. The Google Classroom app is available, for free, for multiple devices and platforms.
Desmos
Desmos is a free online graphing program with an easy to use interface. Students can create a Desmos profile using their school Google account allowing them to save and share their mathematical creations. I also use Desmos Activity Builder as a way to create interactive lesson with the Desmos program. Desmos also provides a free app on nearly every device and platform.
GeoGebra
GeoGebra allows students to explore complex concepts in mathematics via a powerful educational tool. The program goes beyond what a traditional calculator can offer and also features a Geometry mode for geometric constructions and analysis. GeoGebra has a free app for devices and allows students to create a profile with their school Google accounts.
I use my @kmtobe account on Twitter to post interesting happenings from my classes and professional discussions. Feel free to add to my list of followers!
YouTube Channel
My YouTube channel highlights videos that my students have made as part of Project I.C.E. (Innovate, Create, and Explore) and a handful of videos that I use for classroom instruction.