Making Math Meaningful: Ms. O’Malley’s Creative Approach to the Classroom

By: Ansh Kapoor

When students first step into Room 70, it is hard to miss the energy that Ms. O’Malley brings to math. She approaches every lesson as an opportunity to build curiosity and instill confidence in her students.

For Ms. O’Malley, math is beautiful; the coming together of so many conceptual things is especially pretty to her. Ms. O’Malley loves how something that appears complex can become simple in what she refers to as a “beautiful equation.” 

“I believe it is so beautiful,” she explains. “It just works out. You know it’s going to be right. There are so many ways to do one thing.”

Coming from the Montrose School in Massachusetts, Ms. O’Malley aims to have a fun and comfortable classroom where it is acceptable to make mistakes. She understands how self-conscious students can feel when they get something wrong, so she strives to make math both fun and approachable. In her Advanced Calculus class, for instance, she once organized a speed dating activity to review derivatives, where students rotated around the room solving quick problems with different partners. The interactive format transformed a typically stressful topic into an engaging, low-pressure environment that encouraged students to take risks and learn from one another.

 What’s so interesting about her is that while Ms. O’Malley has a passion for math, she only rediscovered it during college. Initially wanting to become a physical therapist, it was math’s complexity that drew her back in and reignited her interest in the field. Now, one of her favorite parts of doing math is “coming up with different ways to solve problems.”

Outside the classroom, Ms. O’Malley has become involved in the Tower Hill Community. During her time at Tower Hill, Ms. O’Malley aims to “get to know everybody in the community, not just in the classroom.” As the faculty advisor to the UNICEF Club, she’s working towards this goal as she seeks new ways to be involved. She hopes to expand her role within the Upper School, saying, “I’d love to get involved with Math League and go to some of the games,” as she looks for more ways to connect with students outside of class.

Looking toward the future, Ms. O’Malley is eager to try out new teaching methods. This year, she hopes to bring even more creativity into her lessons, experimenting with new ways to help students engage deeply with challenging concepts. Whether it’s through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, or discussions that connect math to the real world, she wants her classroom to feel dynamic and inspiring. “Tower Hill is a great place to explore different projects and lessons,” she says, and she’s excited to see how trying fresh approaches can spark curiosity and build confidence in her students.

With her enthusiasm, creativity, and belief in the beauty of math, Ms. O’Malley is already making Room 70 a place where students not only learn, but also discover the joy of problem-solving.