“One of the best things about teaching is that each student is different,” says Middle School Math teacher Caroline Edens, explaining that although her teaching style includes creating high-interest, high-comfort situations for her students through everything from technology to breathing practices, there is nothing formulaic about the process.  “It’s so rewarding to find the things that work best for each student, and have the learners begin to teach each other,” she muses, reflecting on what she calls the math class community.  

Ms. Edens’ work with Grade 6 Pre-Algebra students in Arlington County led all students, including struggling ones, to successfully pass the course. Thinking in terms of community and having time to get to know individual students better are some of the experiences at Green Hedges that Ms. Edens values.  She uses graphic design software to change straightforward assignments into games of challenge, and has a home camera connected to a pet feeder so students can give treats to Butterball, her cat, as a classroom incentive.  

After enjoying math in childhood, Ms. Edens graduated from one of the Virginia Governor’s High Schools, having discovered her love of microbiology, genetics, and other advanced STEM subjects. She earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, majoring in Economics and minoring in Global Studies in Education.  The playfulness in her teaching belies keen observation skills and the ability to respond creatively in real time, both skills honed in earlier positions as lifeguard and Head Aquatics Manager and teaching positions including one  as lead STEM teacher at a school in New York City.  She loves attending performances of musicals and is a devotee of Vinyasa yoga and ballet.