Name: Anne Sauer College: University of Chicago Year of Graduation: 2009 Majors: Philosophy and Literature Her Job:
Anne Sauer is breaking stereotypes. As a program coordinator for Reasoning Mind, an educational non-profit, she’s out to prove that math is not boring or impossibly difficult. It’s interesting, and, dare I say it, fun. Reasoning Mind provides elementary and middle school math classrooms with a web-based computer program that allows students to learn math at their own pace; instead of listening to a teacher lecture, they log on, reading through lessons and solving problems that match their ability. Complete with games, points, and a shopping mall, it aims to make learning math enjoyable. “They love it,” says Anne of the students in the program. “At first they think RM is a game, and then they realize they have to do work. But I think they’re interested in what they’re doing.” Anne’s role within Reasoning Mind is to help implement the program into new classrooms, which means visiting classrooms, training teachers, and working with administrators. One of her toughest jobs is persuading teachers they’ll like the program. “I have to convince them that they are still important in the classroom,” explains Anne. “It is pretty different from what they do.” Her Inspirations: Anne always intended to work in a non-profit. An unfulfilling experience at an art gallery after her freshman year of college led her towards education, which she thought would be more hands-on. “[At the art gallery], I was sending e-mails and setting up event galleries,” she says. Yet even with education in mind, she knew teaching was not for her. A summer internship with Citizen Schools, an educational after-school program for middle-schoolers, opened her eyes to possibilities outside the classroom. “I didn’t think I wanted to be a teacher,” she says. “But I was really excited to learn that summer there are ways to be involved in education without being in front of the classroom.”
Her Journey: Anne found her job on the University of Chicago’s online job search; she was specifically looking for a position located in Houston so she could move in with her fiancé. While she was hoping for an education job, she wasn’t specifically looking for something in math. “I don’t have much of a math background,” she admits. “I only took one math class in college. As a younger student, I did ok with math but it frustrated me as a kid. What made it different was teachers who could present it well.” Her lack of math background has not been an issue; if anything, it’s increased her faith that the program works. “I’m better at math now having gone through our curriculum,” she says. “I like thinking of it as puzzles.” In fact, many at Reasoning Mind didn’t study math. “We have a public policy major, a former history teacher, and a former French teacher.” Her Aspirations: Anne’s enthusiasm for Reasoning Mind means she’s hoping to stay with the company. “I do really like what Reasoning Mind is doing,” says Anne. “I do intend to keep working with the company. I’d like to oversee operations. My real interest is in a higher level position thinking about organization structure and planning ahead.” For now, though, she’s happy where she is. “This job is entry level, she says, but not entry level responsibility,” she says. “ I have a crucial part of making everything happen. I get to see what it’s like for the students and teachers on a daily basis. I feel like I’m actually making a difference in education.” Want to get involved with Reasoning Mind? They’re currently hiring program coordinators for 2010. Check out http://www.reasoningmind.org/index.php?mv=10 for more info! Sources: Anne Sauer www.reasoningmind.org
