Nicole Koutsourais was looking for a new adventure in her 10th year of teaching, so she is at a new high school and teaching in a block schedule for the first time.
The new block scheduling system allows teachers to plan more engaging lessons that allow students to participate in deeper conversation, Koutsourais said. She is teaching Algebra 1 as a single-period class, and Honors Algebra 2 in the block.
“They’re making real-world connections and learning material that is helping them to be successful in the future,” she said. “They will know what they want to apply this to outside of school in their future lives.”
Koutsourais prioritizes getting to know her students, which helps her plan lessons.
“I’m really able to learn those interests and relate them to the lessons in class to better engage them,” Koutsourais said.
Aside from her keen interest in mathematics, Koutsourais is constantly on the lookout for a new adventure with her yellow English lab, Torbin.
“I got him when Covid first hit and everything was shut down,” said Koutsourais. “Being able to walk with him was the one thing I could still do.”
Koutsourais originally started as a psychology major at Edinboro University, wanting to work with students in counseling. But after her last math class, when everyone else seemed happy, Koutsourais was sad to be moving on.
“All the other students were celebrating. I was sad,” Koutsourais said. “I put the two together.”
Koutsourais’ older sister is also a math teacher, making her slightly hesitant to follow the same path initially.
“I’m the younger one, so it’s always like I’m following in her footsteps,” Koutsourais said. “My one up is that I teach high school and she’s middle school.”
Koutsourais started her teaching career with two years of long-term placements at Pine-Richland and Upper St. Clair. She then moved on to Quigley Catholic School before it was shut down, and then she went to work at Fort Cherry School district. Most recently, she taught at Highlands School District.
The diversity and welcoming atmosphere at Baldwin has been inviting, Koutsourais said.
“Everyone seems to be so accepting and welcoming,” Koutsourais said.
