Mary Helen Hodges
Here's a brief run down of Mary Helen's career:
- B.S. Degree, Murray State University, Murray, KY 1972, Major: Mathematics; Minor: Special Education
- M.A. Degree, Murray State University, Murray, KY, 1975, in Elementary Education
- Teacher certification: Mathematics 7-12, Elementary Education 1-8, Special Education 1-12
- Who's Who Among American Teachers, MESA Award from KCTM
- Taught elementary special education 1972-73 in Crittenden County
- Taught high school mathematics 1973-2000 in Crittenden County
- One of the founders of academic competition in Kentucky and coached a high school academic team 1982-89
- Named a Kentucky Colonel in 1986 for helping to establish academic team competition
- Served as a site coordinator for professional development for The National Faculty, Atlanta, GA, 2000-2001
- Taught high school mathematics in Livingston County 2001-2002
- Worked as a substitute teacher 2002-2005
- Worked as a mathematics outreach lecturer for The Teacher Quality Institute at Murray State University 2005-2008
- Worked as a Regional Coordinator for the Kentucky Center for Mathematics 2006-2015
"Working as a Regional Coordinator for KCM has been the most exciting job of my 43 years in education! I have many favorite memories which include working with a fantastic staff and other regional coordinators at KCM, becoming friends with wonderful teachers from across the state, and having great times at trainings and conferences. Having the opportunity to learn more about teaching mathematics from Petey and Kurt was a great opportunity. I especially enjoyed visiting schools and seeing the good work that MITs do with students. Having some one-on-one time to visit with MITs in their classrooms and at Collegial Team Meetings were special times I will cherish.
"My plans for the future are to move during the last week of July to Daytona Beach, Florida and enjoy retirement with my husband of 42 years. We are ready for a change of pace. Thanks for the memories!!"
Mandy McDonough May 27, 2015
Mary Helen, it's been an honor to work with you and has been delightful getting to know you - what a fabulous person you are! I hope you think of me fondly as you curl your toes in the sand and spend long afternoons reading on the beach! Congratulations!
Jim Justice May 13, 2015
I cannot hear the name Mary Helen without getting a huge smile on my face. I didn't get the chance to work with you for long, but I felt like I had known you for years. You have a special way of talking with people that make them feel comfortable and connected with you and that is a talent I still try to develop. Thank you so much for all you have done for Kentucky teachers and I wish you and your husband a long and happy retirement. Much love!! JMJ
Tina Helwig May 14, 2015
Enjoy Mary! I have 8 more years! Here is some good news, when my preschoolers going to kindergarten were recently given a screener they scored quite well on concrete counting. I owe it all to your Erickson Math workshop. Job well done!
Sara Omer May 13, 2015
I worked with Mary Helen through my school district as well as through MaRTI Plus grant. I will always remember, Mary Helenisms! "A day without math is like a day without sunshine!" Anyone who was able to work with Mary Helen was truly blessed by her knowledge and passion for teaching Mathematics. I know all the teachers in Crittenden County will miss her greatly! ENJOY RETIREMENT!!
Rachel Ray May 14, 2015
I met Mary Helen in 2006, before I had any idea what type of a journey I was about to embark upon. How fortunate I am to have been blessed with meeting such a wonderful person! I've loved all of your funny stories and your cheerful attitude, and they both blend perfectly with your love for math. Enjoy you retirement, and I hope the transition to Daytona with Reggie is an easy one. I will miss you!
Jonathan Thomas May 26, 2015
Mary Helen, I wish you the very best of times in your retirement. It has been such an honor and privilege to work with you over the years. Whether it was Newport on the Levee or Hopkinsville, you are always ready with some excellent professional development (and a great hug), and your expertise will be greatly missed. Do keep in touch!
Sarah J. Riley May 15, 2015
I want to thank you for making me the math teacher that I am today! You are AWESOME. Love you and wish you the best...
Terry Fisher May 19, 2015
Congratulations Mary Helen on your retirement and upcoming move to Daytona. Enjoy!!!!
Belle Rush May 18, 2015
Mary Helen has been great in training me to lead the Erikson Early Math Collaborative groups. She's offered LOTS of support, and has been an inspiration to me and so many others. She's always gone above and beyond! Thanks you, Mary Helen, for your guidance and your friendship. Enjoy this new chapter in your life! You've earned it!
Lisa Riggs May 18, 2015
I always enjoyed the trainings and input that you shared at sessions during conferences. I always remember you with a smile. Congratulations on your retirement! Enjoy warm and sunny Florida!
Beth Miracle Meiman May 18, 2015
Thank you for you never ending support as I transitioned from MIT to RC, sharing your knowledge, enjoying the jewels from Reg's hunts, and launching the K-EEMC!! Enjoy the sunsets at your new condo and life in Daytona, my friend!!
Vicki Shelton May 18, 2015
Mary Helen, it's been a blessing to have worked with you. I admire your enthusiasm and passion. Thanks so much your all your help and support!!! I will miss you. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!!
Tammy McDonald May 13, 2015
I have just completed recently the KCM training for kindergarten and preschool teachers and just loved it. Mary Helen you are such a sweet lady and made math so much fun for my kindergarten students this year. My students could not wait for me to attend new training so we could do new activities in class. As I told you, I feel it was the most useful professional development I have attended because I could actually apply what I learned to my class. You were such a joy to meet and I will you well. Enjoy Daytona and just think of all the new math resources you can gather - seashells!
Lynn Hambrick May 18, 2015
Mary Helen has a deep understanding of students' weaknesses and knows just how to compensate for them. She rode with me to many meetings and soon realized that I do not automatically know "left" from "right"; she graciously would just use the terms "my way" or "your way". She has become one of my best friends as we have traveled through these years of math adventure.
Shelly Scott May 13, 2015
I hope you enjoy your retirement in Daytona Beach! I have enjoyed every minute of the so many PD's I was able to attend in which you led. You deserve to enjoy the beach life. You have guided so many Kentucky teachers to become great math teachers. The student's of Kentucky were so lucky to have you as a teacher or guide for their classroom teacher. We will miss you!
Calvin Music May 14, 2015
When I was hired to be an MIT in 2007 and went to attended my first training in Hopkinsville, the first person I met was Mary Helen, while getting on the elevator after I had checked in. She makes everyone feel very comfortable at ease when you talk to her or are up presenting. She is the same every time I see her, even though it's only once or twice a year. Wish you all the best in retirement and God Bless!
Nicole Weyman May 18, 2015
Best wishes on your retirement! Thanks for your service to others in the Math World!
Selisa Adams May 27, 2015
Your kindness and support you have shown me through the years will always be treasured. I wish you and Reg happiness. Thank you for all the great memories and encouragement during our times working together with the KEEMC. You have been a wonderful friend and RC. Best wishes!
Dawn Hardeman May 13, 2015
Have a wonderful retirement! Your future plans sound absolutely wonderful!
Alice Gabbard May 17, 2015
Mary Helen, I will always remember you as a "mother hen" who forged strong bonds with and among the teachers you served. I always appreciated hearing your many stories of transformation--most recently about two teachers who learned from you and now think, "What would Mary Helen do?" when making instructional decisions. KCM has benefitted from your confident capacity to network, establishing and nurturing relationships through hospitality, service, and high expectations for rich and engaging mathematics teaching and learning. I will miss your hugs! Thanks for all your hard work and commitment to improving mathematics education in Kentucky. Enjoy Florida.
Michelle Dickerson May 13, 2015
Live it up in retirement! You DESERVE it! Your legacy as a teacher and lover of math lives on forever!
Pam Reichelderfer May 26, 2015
Here’s to you and your family: success and a bright future with the time to do the things you have always wanted to do. Your hugs will be missed.
Wendie Edmonds May 19, 2015
I don't even know where to begin Mary Helen was first my presenter for Teaching Math several years ago. She engaged me in teaching math using more hands on materials and there began my new found love of math. previously I had done procedures with little understanding of the Why? How?, etc. I have been involved in professional development in my district that she has led as well. But our real relationship developed the 1st year I became a MIT. She not only has been my mentor she has become a true friend over the last 7 years. Her husband is also a dear man I got to know through this journey as well. I will miss seeing Mary Helen coming down the hallway to visit me next year! But I will love keeping in touch with her and Reggie and hearing about life in paradise. Best wishes! LOVE W
Diane Meserve May 25, 2015
Wishing you many happy years at the beach! You will be missed!!
Rick Reinle May 14, 2015
Congratulations Mary Helen. Its been such a pleasure getting to know you and work with you. Its hard to believe how the time has flown. The first 2 years with all the training was something that none of us will soon forget. Enjoy your retirement. You deserve it.
Tonda Thompson May 13, 2015
Mary Helen, the one thing I remember most about you is your encouragement and willingness to learn new things. When I would present at a conference or training, I would always remember you sitting in our session and you made me feel so comfortable. You always seemed to enjoy it (whether you did or not) and you provided lots of support during and after the session. Thank you for being so positive and willing to help in any way. I wish you the best of health and happiness in many years to come. Please stay in touch and continue to come to my sessions, your words of encouragement are so appreciated.
DeLois Paddock May 13, 2015
Mrs. Hodges was my favorite math teacher during my high school education. I struggled with Calculus and she gave up some of her planning and lunch to help tutor me. My parents and I were very appreciative of that because I wouldn't have graduated with honors had she not helped me my Senior year. She is a loving and caring person. She was one of the few that made me want to be a teacher. She wanted what was best for her students. My younger brother and sister had her, as well, and they adored her as much as I did. Thank you Mrs. Mary Helen. I wish you the best and I hope you enjoy your retirement!
Tammy Hall/Cumberland County Elementary May 14, 2015
I've had the opportunity to be in several trainings etc with Mary Helen. She is always enthusiastic about Mathematics! I've enjoyed her zest for what we do more than I can say. She's so very knowledgeable and will be greatly missed. Big shoes to fill Mary Helen! I wish you the very best years ahead!! Enjoy!
Olivia Winkle May 18, 2015
Mary Helen, you are a treasure. It has been a joy to work with you. Congratulations!
Paula Stapleton May 26, 2015
Thank you for your service to our Kentucky teachers and to the KCM! Wishing you many years of happy retirement in Florida!! Take good care of yourself!
Jay Schiffman May 13, 2015
Best wishes Mary Helen for a retirement filled with happiness. I always enjoy coming to Kentucky and seeing such dedicated and genuine mathematics educators. We are going to miss you!
Alice Cantrell May 16, 2015
I was fortunate enough to get to meet Mary Helen in Bowling Green, KY during a week long workshop sponsored by KCM. We had wonderful cognitive coach training by Toni and Carol! We also had a consultant from Marilyn Burns working with us on a variety of mathematical activities during the week. KCM was instrumental in providing quality training for us. I continued to learn from Mary Helen during annual KCM conferences! Thank you for your love of sharing your expertise throughout the years! Enjoy your retirement!
Love Alice
Sandra Bollenbecker May 17, 2015
Mary Helen,
You are an Awesome, Sweet, Sincere and Knowledgeable LEADER that has ALWAYS been willing to share with others the gifts that God has sooo richly blessed you with. Thank You for giving of yourself to make a better tomorrow. Enjoy that time for a new chapter in your life, "retirement". I know that you will continue to be a life long learner because, "Once a teacher, ALWAYS a teacher". Thank YOU sister for the sacrifices that you have given to help build the KCM community. We ALL Love YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gwen Morgan May 21, 2015
What would Mary Helen do? I'll never forget the story you shared on an online meeting that resulted in this question! I have so many blessed memories of your stories about teachers and students whom you have served for so many years. I feel blessed to have had the honor to learn from one of the best. I'm certainly going to miss your passion and your "voice"!!! Best wished to you and Reggie as you begin this new journey. May your cup be filled with good health, laughter, and happiness OR at the very least, coffee and wine!
Stephanie Horn May 18, 2015
I don't think there is a sweeter person that I know.She was a terrific RC always ready to help! My first year as a MIT she supported me and made me feel that I could do anything. I was a little insecure being among such knowledgeable people, I wanted to one day have that same mathematical understanding! Mary Helen was always quick to answer my emails and share resources. I always looked forward to her visits and her reassurances that I was on the right track. I am so grateful for her guidance and support as a MIT.
Stephanie Horn