Her Story
Alesia Slocumb-Bradford has taught mathematics in Washington, D.C. since 1987, first at Rabaut Junior High School and, since 1989, at Jefferson Middle School. She says she has wanted to teach since she was a child lining up her baby dolls in a make-believe classroom, and she brought to the job a belief that every child can learn when given many chances to show what they know.
Her classroom is, in her words, “a working laboratory.” Students plot formulas by standing as points on a line, work out the cost of ice skating for different lengths of time, and learn math through financial literacy and by building and programming robots. She runs what she calls a “class without walls,” teaming with science, geography and English teachers on shared themes. Her motto is “teaching is not the key, re-teaching is the key”: she analyzes assessment results, looks for the vocabulary or popular wrong answers behind mistakes, and re-teaches by whole group, small group or one on one.
For two decades she has offered middle schoolers algebra and geometry, long before “Algebra for All,” in the belief that advanced math is the gateway to college and to careers in science and technology.
Beyond the Classroom
Slocumb-Bradford has sponsored the Financial Literacy Club for 22 years; its members give “Financial Talks” at elementary schools. She also sponsors Jefferson’s Robotics Team, whose students have built, designed and programmed machines, competed locally and nationally, and shown their work at MIT and the Mayor’s Ball. With a corporate sponsor and grants she wrote, the team competes in Botball robotics. She has also advised the Computer Science Club, whose students present at American University’s annual Computer Science Fest.
A curriculum writer, resident mentor, cooperating teacher and district demonstration teacher, she has hosted Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth and the National Society of Black Engineers, served on test-taking, technology, STEM and instructional leadership committees, and led workshops and community talks across D.C. on the importance of mathematics. She earned a master’s degree in management information systems from Bowie State University, spent six years pursuing a doctorate in mathematics education while teaching full time, and was named a Best Buy Teach Award winner in 2008.
Philosophy Into Practice
Slocumb-Bradford believes motivation is the one word that describes her teaching. She uses the middle school years, when young adolescents form their opinions about subjects, to get students out of pencil-and-paper routines and into group work. She also wants her students to know that it is all right not to master a skill on the first try, as long as they keep striving.
She sees two big challenges in education: closing the math achievement gap between minority and non-minority students, and rebuilding the United States as a leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by developing homegrown talent among women and minorities.
“Teaching is not the key, re-teaching is the key.”— Dr. Alesia B. Slocumb-Bradford
In Her Own Words
“Every child can learn, given multiple opportunities to demonstrate in a variety of ways his or her knowledge.”— Dr. Alesia B. Slocumb-Bradford
“One technique does not “fit all”; you must be willing to change as you go along and meet the needs of all children.”— Dr. Alesia B. Slocumb-Bradford
“Each day is filled with an opportunity to have a huge impact on the lives of youngsters; the next generation.”— Dr. Alesia B. Slocumb-Bradford
What Others Said
“She is hardworking, ethical, genuine, intelligent, and a natural leader.”— Stephanie Patton, Principal, Jefferson Middle School
“Dr. Slocumb gave her students the opportunity to enjoy mathematics and to see how it can be applied.”— Joan de Groot, parent of a former student
“She teaches with a great deal of energy and she makes learning Pre-Algebra fun.”— Student
“The rapport she has with her students is nothing short of amazing.”— Leslie D. Payne, special education colleague