hi. my name is harry o’malley.

I MAKE THINGS
FOR EDUCATORS

Welcome to my portfolio.  I specialize in the innovative use of technology in education as well as helping schools connect with their community and develop a positive environment.  All the information is on this single page.  Keep scrolling to see it all.  Use the navigation buttons in the top menu to jump to a section.

THE DESIGN TOOLS I USE

HTML / CSS

I have been using HTML and CSS since I was 15 to create web pages.

Javascript

I use front end coding languages to design web-based software.

ReactJS

I use ReactJS to build responsive front-end user interfaces.

NodeJS

I use NodeJS and MongoDB to build back-end web services.

GIMP

I use Gimp to edit graphics.

Final Cut Pro

I use Final Cut Pro to edit video.

GeoGebra

I use GeoGebra to create interactive simulations.

Desmos

I use Desmos to create custom digital learning tasks.

Wolfram

I use Wolfram Alpha as well as the Wolfram Language to design innovative instructional tasks.

LaTeX

I use LaTeX to write curriculum materials as well as teach my students how to write mathematics.

Processing

I use Processing to generate unique images for inclusion in my instructional materials.

Film Gear

I use gimbals, lighting, green screens and camera add-ons to achieve high quality footage.

THINGS I’VE MADE

MANIFEST EDUCATION

Manifest is my passion project.  It is a set of principles and a framework for teaching mathematics conceptually. The Manifest Visual Calculator is our new, flagship product.  The calculator represents a revolutionary new approach to visualizing quantities from single digit whole numbers all the way through integrals and derivatives and everything in between.  In addition to the calculator, the website houses an ever-growing set of resources for executing the framework.  Hundreds of simulations, dozens of videos, and over 40 lessons have been organized into cohesive units that engage learners in deep understanding of number systems, basic operations, and functions.  I conceived of the principles and framework, created the logo, website, and marketing materials, configured the learning management system, and created all of the tools, resources, lessons and courses from scratch.

Read the Edutopia Article

In September of 2017, in the beginning stages of Manifest’s development, Edutopia asked me to write an article about the work so far.  Read it here.

Watch an Overview Video

This no-frills overview explains some of the basic principles that underpin the Manifest framework and guide development of activities within it.

Read the Blog Post

In April of 2017, I wrote a blog post that represented a turning point for Manifest.  Click below to read about one of the foundational principles behind Manifest’s approach to conceptual mathematics.

FILL EDUCATION

Fill is software that allows teachers to assess all of their students on every lesson they teach and automatically schedule students who failed to master the lesson into extra help classes the next day.  It also shows teachers which of their lessons have the lowest level of mastery so they can focus their instructional improvement efforts on those lessons.  I designed the method and the software blueprint and founded the company with my brother in 2016.  I created the front end of the web interface as well as the logo, all marketing materials, website, and promotional videos from scratch.

Quizzes Taken

Gaps identified

Lessons Retaught

TEACHERS BEAT CANCER

Teachers Beat Cancer is an organization designed to raise money for local and national cancer organizations under the tagline “We Dance, You Donate”.  In our first campaign, teachers underwent a months-long production process creating three dance videos with a beat cancer theme.  I conceived of the idea and founded the organization. I planned, produced, filmed, and edited all of the videos as well as the logo, website and social media campaign.

Watch the Story

NBC’s Kate Welshoffer did a wonderful story about the Teacher’s Beat Cancer movement.  Watch it here.

Watch One of the Videos

In this Teachers Beat Cancer video, the teachers of Casey Middle School channel their inner Bruno Mars as they galavant around some famous locations in downtown Buffalo.

Read the Story

The Buffalo News published a great article about the Teachers Beat Cancer story.  Read it here.

GMP 1 TEXTBOOK

The Gifted Math Program at the University at Buffalo is one of the most unique and prestigious 7-12 math programs in the country. One of the courses we offer engages students in foundational mathematics such as operational systems, number theory, and logic.  I wrote this textbook from scratch to drive the course.  It is entirely problem-based and has a number of innovative features, including a streamlined protocol for embedding Wolfram Alpha queries into problems.  The text is written in LaTex, with most of the images being generated using Processing code.

OTHER WORK

Here are a few other collections of projects I have created in the last year or two.

Puzzles

Here is a unique collection of interactive digital math puzzles.

School Culture

I make videos that promote positive school culture.  The Huffington Post ran a story about the video above, which celebrates the life of three retirees to the tune of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling”.  Click below to see all of the videos in this category.

Vlog

I started a vlog that highlights conceptual mathematics.  Click below to view the episodes.

expert opinions
Some smart people on Twitter like my work.

my teaching HISTORY

ATTRIBUTES OF MY teaching EXPERIENCE

Elementary to College

I have taught every math course from 5th grade to college Linear Algebra as well as graduate level education courses.

Urban and Suburban

I have extensive experience teaching some of the most privileged and most under-privileged students in the country and have developed deep relationships with both communities.

Remedial to Advanced

I have equal experience designing and teaching remedial as well as advanced academic trajectories.

Technology Heavy

Every student I have ever taught has had 1-to-1 access to a device.  My entire career has involved technology integration.

Team Player

Everywhere I teach I lead.  I was our team leader in Buffalo.  I am the math specialist in Williamsville.  I am the director of the Gifted Math Program at the University at Buffalo.  My colleagues and I deeply enjoy our work.

Traditional and Cutting Edge

I have equal experience in traditional forms of teaching as well as the many varieties of unique, cutting edge techniques that are shaping our discipline’s future.

MY TEACHING EXPERIENCE

UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO’s GIFTED MATH PROGRAM

Director  ||  2017 – Present,  Instructor  ||  2009 – Present

The Gifted Math Program at the University at Buffalo serves students with high levels of math ability in grade 7-12.  Students traditionally begin the program in 7th grade and continue until they graduate high school.  Once admitted, the students no longer take any math instruction at their home school.  Instead, they take all of their math classes at the University for 2.5 hours after school twice a week.  Students who complete the program receive 22 college credits in mathematics by the time they graduate.  The program is technology rich.  We are currently in the process of pioneering a computational mathematics thread within our curriculum.  I have been a full time instructor with the program since 2009 and became director of the program in 2017.

williamsville central schools

Math Specialist  ||  2010 – Present

I am currently a math specialist in Williamsville, which is a 1-to-1 district.  During my time here, I have helped shape every fiber of our math program, from our remediation program, to our gifted programming, to the creation of our primary and supplementary instructional materials and assessment tools.  I’ve taught every course from 5th grade to Honors Algebra 1 and have loved every minute of it.  I also organize our school’s community outreach and collaborative projects involving all of our staff.

BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Math Teacher and Team Leader  ||  2006 – 2010

I taught for 3 years at the Academy at 44, which is Buffalo’s alternative school. There, I led an interdisciplinary team of 6 teachers.  We created a technology-heavy, project-based curriculum from scratch for students in grades 7-12.  Students had 1-to-1 laptops.  Twice a year we worked with parents and community members to organize an event that showcased the students’ solutions to their community’s problems. I also taught for 1 year at Frederick Law Olmstead School, one of Buffalo’s gifted and talented magnet, teaching 7th grade and Regents Geometry.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Say Hello!

I am always looking for new, exciting things to work on with talented, passionate people.  Got something you think I could help with?  Get in touch!

harry@harryomalley.com