Making Sense of Math Stories
Meet Julie Russo, the creator of Structures of Equality
I’ve always had a passion for helping others. But it wasn’t until I became a Math Coach that I found my true calling.
Hi there! Just like you, I was discouraged to see so many students struggle with story problems. Despite teaching various strategies, they mindlessly went through a series of steps instead of understanding the math.
I started to research and experiment. Bar models were helpful but insufficient for visualizing word problems. Keywords and step-by-step procedures like CUBES led students astray.
As a Math Coach, the teachers I supported were frustrated by their students' lack of success with word problems. There had to be a better way. It became my mission to find a
solution.
I poured my energy into creating an effective tool to help students grasp story problems. And that’s how Structures of Equality (SoE) came to be.
It’s a dream come true to share my work with teachers and kids around the world.
A few companies I've worked with
A partnership fueled by passion and purpose
Access to education in Jamaica is a challenge for many families. One of my proudest accomplishments is the partnership I’ve developed with Sav Inclusive, a truly awe-inspiring school. They provide equitable access to education for students of all abilities.
But the most rewarding part? We regularly visit and I’m able to support the teachers with professional development and resources.
“Kids actually understand what the problem is asking them to do."
- Stacy Eleczko, M.Ed, Math Consultant & Instructional Coach
"SoEs combine all of the most effective strategies into one simple structure so students can understand story problems. Once kids have learned the structures, they don’t just pull out numbers and randomly pick an operation or get discouraged and give up. With SoEs, you see light bulb moments. Kids actually understand what the problem is asking them to do."
Are you ready to help your students make sense of math stories? Here’s where you can find me…
See SoE in action. In my weekly videos, I share examples and tips so you can successfully implement the structures in your classroom.
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Become part of the SoE community. We’ve created a space for educators to ask questions, share ideas, and support each other.
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