The first thing I do is to let students know that it’s okay to make mistakes. Sometimes I’ll intentionally make mistakes in class and let them know when I’m wrong. I tell them we’re all going to make mistakes, that we can grow from them but try not to make the same mistake twice. By moving beyond that fear, you open the door to proactive risk-taking which will result in success and confidence. Let’s just grapple with the concept. Let’s become comfortable with discomfort. As a result, they replace “I’m not good at math” with “I have to work harder at it, but I can do it.” Making mistakes is part of the process.
What do you like about math?
Math makes sense. I'm a logical person. It bothers me when things don't add up. I like numbers because they’re not ambiguous. I love the variety of ways in which math can be expressed. Everywhere you look you’ll find math, whether it’s data you’re exploring or a calculation.
I actually love teaching. I love teaching because of the impact you have on the students, the relationships you build, and the fact that you’re an everyday learner. There’s always something you can learn to improve your strategy as the world changes. I was one of those students who lived at school and had so many people in my community wrap their arms around me. My mom was a single mom trying to make it on her own. I had a coach helping her out. My teachers helped. Teaching is something I enjoy doing. I feel like I’m paying it forward.
What do you think of Eureka Math?
This is my fourth year of implementing Eureka Math, and I like it a lot. I’m seeing more kids who have been exposed to it at a younger age and successfully using the place-value chart, different models, and representing concepts in different ways. Because of the way the lessons build on one another, they pick up from where they left off the year prior. It’s a reinforcement that’s necessary for a child to wants to master math.
