Meet Laurie Kane: Teacher, Coach, and Overall Math Superstar

For most middle school teachers, lunch time is a needed break from their teenage students. But not for Laurie Kane, a dedicated eighth grade math teacher at Gulf Middle School in Cape Coral, FL. Even with a busy schedule as a teacher, head of the math department, and girls cross-country and soccer coach, Ms. Kane makes herself available at all times of the day to give extra help in math to students who need it. And students definitely take advantage of the time. “I get kids every day during my lunch period,” she says. “I tutor then, before class, and during my lesson planning hours. It’s important that I make myself available to them.”

Ms. Kane cites the use of McGraw-Hill ALEKS in her classroom each school year as a necessity in order for students to understand math concepts better. Her techniques have not only helped her students’ comprehension of the subject, but their test scores have significantly improved too. “Some of these students have failed the state tests each year,” she says. “I tell them about ALEKS and let them know that my previous students have performed well on exams the year before which helps to motivate them.” Ms. Kane considers the digital tool her best friend. “I wouldn’t have the great results that I have without it.

Read on for some highlights from an interview with Laurie Kane on her love for teaching and how using ALEKS helps her students succeed!