Welcome to 6th grade Math & Honors Math!:)

Howdy! My name is Kendal Connolly. I grew up in Burnet, Texas, and graduated from Burnet High School. In 2024, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Education for Middle Grades (4th to 8th grade) with a concentration in Math and Science from Texas A&M University.

I am so excited to be your student’s math teacher this year! This is my first year teaching, so I kindly ask for your grace as I learn my role alongside your students as they learn math.

One of my core beliefs is that education is about more than just mastering content; it’s about growth. I want your students to not only grow academically but also develop as confident, resilient individuals. That kind of growth isn’t always easy. In fact, it often requires what educators call productive struggle, when students wrestle with challenging problems that push them to think deeply and develop new skills. I want students to understand not just the math processes, but also the reasons behind why we use those processes. When students work through challenges and finally achieve their goals, the sense of reward is much greater than if the struggle never happened. When it comes to assignments, I’m less worried about getting every answer right and more focused on whether students have put in effort and genuinely tried to work through problems on their own. That effort is key to developing understanding and independence in math.

I want you to know that it’s perfectly normal, and even expected, for your child to experience frustration at times, whether in the classroom or at home. This struggle is a crucial part of learning and building a growth mindset, the understanding that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and perseverance. When students embrace challenges and persist through difficulty, they build the skills and confidence needed to succeed, not just in math, but in life. 

If your child comes home feeling frustrated, it’s a sign they are pushing themselves and learning to think like mathematicians. I encourage you to support them in embracing these challenges, reminding them that mistakes are part of the learning process and that persistence leads to growth.

Make no mistake, I am deeply committed to standing alongside your students, providing unwavering support and guidance as they navigate the challenges and struggles they face. Together, with patience, empathy, and encouragement, we will empower your students to not only overcome obstacles but to flourish, growing stronger as both learners and individuals, ready to embrace their fullest potential.