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The Sorensen Math is Cool program was started in 2014 by teacher Charlene Babb and has enjoyed many victories over the years, including sending multiple teams to the Masters level. In 2018, Growing the STEM partnered with this existing team to train student coaches to assist in the teaching and leadership of the team. All coaches are former Sorensen students who competed in Math is Cool with Ms. Babb in their elementary years. It is a special experience for these middle and high schoolers to return to work with a favorite teacher in a school to which they feel deep ties. It is our hope that, as the years go on, our new programs will also see middle and high school students return to work with younger students in their former elementary schools.
Grayson really enjoys math and working with younger students. In his free time, he likes to play soccer, ski, boat, and mountain bike. Grayson looks forward to working with Ms. Babb and giving back to the kids at Sorensen.
Hope McWilliams is a senior at Coeur d’Alene High School interested in studying medicine and astronomy in order to research the effects of space on humans. She is active in Key Club, National Honor Society, Scholastics, Mathletes, Sources of Strength, Coeur d’Alene Press Student Advisory Council, CHS swim team, and CAST Swim Club. Hope is passionate about math and likes helping others.
James Bogdanowicz is a ninth grader at Coeur d’Alene High School who is active in swim team, competes in drama, and assists with programs at his church. He appreciates the opportunity to work with kids and teach them that math really can be cool. James also coaches at Canfield Middle School.
Elisabeth Edmonds is a freshman at Lake City High School. She loves to participate in local theatre, sing, play piano, read, and write poetry. She has loved coaching Math is Cool simply to engage in math and learning with kids her age and younger.
Palmer Rakes is a freshman at Lake City High School who hopes to pursue a future in the field of technology and engineering. He is active in track, soccer, CrossFit, band, and Legos. Palmer loved Math is Cool while attending Sorensen and was and is challenged by math. It has been fun for him to help others solve puzzles and new challenges; plus, Ms. Babb is a favorite
teacher!
Nathan Edmonds is a 7th grader at Lakes Middle School who endeavors to be a college anthropology professor. He plays the saxophone, reads, and helps in Sorensen’s juggling and Lego programs. He enjoys coaching Math is Cool because he was a part of Sorensen’s MIC program in elementary school and finds it fun to do the math and help the kids.
Wyatt Matthews is a 7th grader at Lakes Middle School. He enjoys football, wrestling, marimbas, skiing, camping, and band.
Luke Sharon is a 7th grader at Lakes Middle School who hopes to study acting, graphic design, or video game design. His interests include theatre, art, piano, singing, and reading. Luke likes coaching a Math is Cool team because he enjoys giving the kids a fun experience.
Ben Hannigan-Luther is a 6th grader at Lakes Middle School who is interested in studying wildlife biology. He is a busy student, with commitments in soccer, basketball, band (saxophone), and drums. Ben recently created an app, “Yellowstone Wolves and Packs.”
Neve Christensen is a 6th grader at Lakes Middle School.
Joel Bryan is a 6th grader at Lakes Middle School.
Ms. Charlene Babb is the Advanced Learning Program teacher at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities.
This program started in the fall of 2017 with the help of Sorensen staff Charlene Babb, Shanna Marshall, Bret DePew, and Sorensen parent and coordinator Rebecca Smith.