The Director of Mathematics from SCVi charter school in Santa Clarita, Amber Soto, sat down with Matt Watson on the “Eye On The Valley” radio show and discussed the SCVi approach to teaching math.

“A lot of it is mindset … shifting that mindset into realizing that math can be fun and that we can really engage people,” said Soto.

Soto has worked at SCVi charter school in Santa Clarita for three years.

“We’ve seen the scores go up and up and up,” Soto said about SCVi charter school’s student test scores.

According to Soto, many students are taught that in mathematics you are either right or wrong.

Soto endorses an approach to teaching mathematics that allows students to understand why their answers might have been incorrect. Soto said there has been a positive shift in mindset overall in teaching and learning math.

Related: Freshman From SCVi Charter School In Santa Clarita Joins “Eye On The Valley” To Discuss Art, School And Her Future

“Let’s learn from the mistakes. Let’s grow from them,” Soto said.

One of Soto’s approaches is going into classrooms and working with instructors on upcoming lessons and offering professional advice. She can then teach her strategies to the teachers at SCVi charter school in Santa Clarita.

Soto is currently working on the DreamUp to Space project at SCVi as the math expert. The DreamUp to Space project for students at SCVi charter school offers students the opportunity to get science experiments brought up to the International Space Station.

While the project is primarily focused on science experiments and testing the effects of microgravity on an experiment, it is part of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education at SCVi charter school in Santa Clarita.

Two project finalists are able to send their experiment to the International Space Station.

Soto joined the DreamUp to Space program this year due to fears the project might be cancelled this year due to COVID-19.

Soto has worked on adapting the project to a virtual environment. Her experience over the years as the Director of Mathematics at a Santa Clarita charter school has helped her work on keeping the project alive.

Soto explained that she is very passionate about this project and thinks it is a great opportunity for students to learn about science and mathematics.

Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Community Spotlight for SCVi/iLEAD Charter School in Santa Clarita.

SCVi/iLEAD is a tuition free charter school in Santa Clarita that uses project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. Technology is incorporated into all components of the curriculum, and learners are given a firm grounding in the arts, humanities and sciences. School officials value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring character and confidence in learners. SCVi/iLEAD offers transitional kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade, providing a unique learning opportunity for those in need of a kindergarten in Santa Clarita, elementary school in Santa Clarita, jr high in Santa Clarita, middle school in Santa Clarita or high school in Santa Clarita. 

SCVi/iLEAD

28060 Hasley Canyon Rd.
Castaic, CA 91384

Lower School: (661) 705-4820
Upper School: (661) 705-8420

SCVi/iLEAD – Santa Clarita

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