Tom Totushek (aka TheMathProphet) is an advocate for Standards-Based Grading and Reporting (SBG&R), STEM education with emphasis on underrepresented groups, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). He has taught at Open World Learning Community (OWL, formerly known as Saint Paul Open School) for over a decade and is the Crew leader of the “Best Crew at OWL” the Snakes and Foxes.
Tom has presented regionally and nationally on both SBG&R and SEL and is excited to join Megan in the work of the Homeroom Institute. Trained in both Developmental Designs and as a Crew Leader in EL Education, Tom has converted from a person who didn’t believe in the power and effectiveness SEL. He has gone from someone who felt apprehension and doubt with regard to homeroom to it being hands-down his favorite time at work.
Tom believes strongly that homeroom fills an important part in his students’ lives, socially, academically, and emotionally. He has written lessons that run the gamut from post-secondary readiness, challenge by choice, the importance of reading to babies, studies of inspiring lives, and lessons on how to get students to write their own homeroom lessons. His current interests in lesson writing includes psychology and behavioral economics principles, the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and juggling as a metaphor. He is also working on developing online courses for his school and local universities to build SEL education in the Twin Cities metro area.
When not working as a full-time teacher, consultant, or writing curriculum Tom likes to spend time camping with his family, reading high fantasy, gaming, watching sports, and sleeping. Feel free to contact Tom but understand that there are two times when a response will not be prompt: during the school year from 2pm Friday to 2pm Sunday (time jealously set aside for family) and during the summer when he is in remote locations (wifi is spotting where there is no electricity).
