Alejandro A. Dogma, a 5th-grade educator at Desert Mirage Elementary School of Pendergast District (AZ), has been named the Open Up Resources Teacher of the Month for February 2025. Dogma is being recognized for his outstanding work in his classroom and ongoing support of teachers across the country as a member of the Open Up Resources National Professional Learning Community.

Dogma’s work with Open Up Resources K–8 Math makes him one of the most innovative teachers in the country. The Open Up Resources K–8 Math curriculum inspires a new way of teaching math by transforming classrooms into hives of activity focusing on discussion, questioning, debate, and the deeper conceptual learning of mathematics that follows. 

Charlie Bendo Jr., a colleague at Pendergast District, nominated Dogma for his efforts to meet the needs of the learners in his classroom. He shared, “Alejandro adapts his teaching style to meet the needs of all students using all the activities and assessments from Open Up [Resources K–5] Math. His passion for teaching math is evident, and it inspires all the students to approach the subject with more confidence.”

Dogma appreciates the student-centered, problem-based approach of the curriculum. He explained, “[Open Up Resources K–5 Math] is student-centered and allows the kids to be the center of teaching and learning process, where I as a teacher become the facilitator. All the lessons are activity-based, and students are all engaging and empowered.” 

Dogma shared his insight into student achievement with the curriculum. “All my students show improvement in terms of assessments, especially in common formative assessment. Growth in their mathematical skills and concepts is achieved using Open Up Resources.”

Do you know a teacher who has inspired you and the students in their classroom with the Open Up Resources curricula? Please consider nominating a colleague for the Open Up Resources Teacher of the Month award.