Matthew Bremer

Mr. Bremer has embraced many roles at BHS, but these days he an IMP math teacher, curriculum developer and an educator for beginning-experienced teachers. As recently as 2004, Mr. Bremer stood before the Berkeley School Board to discuss REAL, a program funded by the National Science Foundation, that was designed to change the face of mathematics at Berkeley High. He and his team designed a program of seminars for BHS math teachers that would create a departmental culture where staff was not only collaborating, but reflecting on the process that sought to make students more engaged. Today Mr. Bremer is teaching that dream in the calculus and IMP3 classes for CP Academy.

Mr. Bremer believes that students construct their own understanding of mathematics based on new experiences that increase their circle of understanding. It is through experience that new ideas can be created and he believes that math becomes useful to a student only when it has been successfully integrated into their personal life.

Mr. Bremer’s goal is to expose students to numerous and logically connected experiences that encourage them to value math, to develop math habits of mind, and to understand the role of math in the world. He believes students need to explore, to guess, and to make and correct errors so that they gain confidence in their ability to solve complex problems. He believes students deepen their understanding when they read, write, and discuss math. Through these interactions with their class community, they see themselves as mathematicians at work and enjoy what they are doing.

Mr. Bremer's awards and achievements include twice nominated USA Today All American Math Educator; co-developed the curriculum for the Integrated Math Project (IMP Math); Womens Golf Coach; 1996 Math Teacher of the Year Alameda Contra Costa County.

Matthew Bremer's homework page