Charlene Ruble, a math consultant for bby Publications at the University of West Alabama, has taught school for 30 years in grades K-5. She travels across the country helping elementary schools meet the needs of children using hands-on tools. Charlene is a two-time winner of Oldham County, Kentucky’s Teacher of the Year award. She was also one of three finalists for Elementary Teacher of the Year in Kentucky. She believes all students can be successful in math if the concepts are explained with models showing the relationship of numbers and their patterns. This method allows children to think, problem solve, work at their own level, and solve abstract problems.