Nala Joseph, an 8th Grade Algebra Teacher at Nuasin Next Generation Charter (NY), has been named the Open Up Resources Teacher of the Month for January 2025. Joseph is being recognized for her outstanding work in her classroom and ongoing support of teachers across the country as a member of the Open Up Resources National Professional Learning Community.
Joseph’s work with Open Up Resources 6–8 Math and Open Up High School Mathematics makes her one of the most innovative teachers in the country. The Open Up Resources K–HS Mathematics curricula inspire 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.
Joseph was nominated by three colleagues for this recognition. Tyler Turner shared, “Ms. Joseph is excellent at building relationships with our scholars. She engages her 8th grade students with intentionality using the Open Up curriculum. She is always pushing to learn professionally with her peers as well as openly with her students. Her ability to validate scholars as mathematicians helps not only our math scores, but our community here at Nuasin!”
Another colleague Ethan Johnson agreed with Turner’s sentiments, saying, “[Nala] does an awesome job of helping her scholars connect with the curriculum and she builds amazing relationships with them which helps their overall progress.”
Lakeitha Walton also nominated Joseph for the Open Up Resources Teacher of the Month recognition for her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to personal and professional growth. She wrote, “As a new teacher, [Nala] eagerly embraces every opportunity to learn and refine her craft, consistently seeking out new strategies to enhance her teaching. This dedication directly impacts her students, fostering a positive and dynamic learning environment. Her enthusiasm for learning is infectious, motivating her students to adopt a similar mindset. Moreover, Ms. Joseph’s vibrant personality and fresh perspective bring an uplifting energy to the classroom, making math both engaging and accessible to her students. She is not just a teacher but a catalyst for her students’ success, embodying the values that Open Up Resources seeks to promote.”
In her application for the award, Joseph shared her appreciation for the accessibility and vast mathematical representations in the curriculum. She explained, “My favorite thing about using this curriculum overall is the incorporation of visual representations. The Open Up Math curriculum offers many benefits for teaching in a classroom setting, especially when aiming to reach all types of learners effectively. Visual aids such as diagrams, graphs, charts, and illustrations help to make abstract mathematical concepts more concrete and accessible to students.”
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.