Talking Math

I was trying to find a pic of my kid at swimming lessons, instead I posted a pic of me posing with some of my students a few years ago (but zoomed right into my face).  It’s all good.

I wanted to write today about MATH.  Yup.  You heard me, MATH.  I don’t want to solve math problems, but would love to solve problems relating to math.  When I was teaching grades 8-12 math, I was determined to have all students feel like they can do math.  If the learner believes they can do math, they will.  Any self-doubt will result in failure. A positive sense of self-efficacy to do math is key.

Not to say that I am a one-girl show, but I have always wanted to share the love for math with my colleagues, students, and parents.  Internalizing a false-story of “I can’t” is a lie that cannot tolerate.  I knew at some intuitive level that I made a difference in my students’ lives in one way or another when I taught them math.  When I decided to leave teaching at public schools to pursue graduate studies and educational leadership opportunities, I still had full intentions of promoting mathematics in a positive way.

I am involved with the BC Association of Mathematics Teachers, I deliver professional development workshops to teachers, and tutor students and adults math.  Furthermore, my dissertation has intentions of contributing to mathematics education and educational leadership; and my trusteeship ‘talks math’ too.  Just the other day I was talking math with a parent/teacher during my daughter’s swimming lessons.  From this conversation, we started talking about mathematics and pedagogy.  I LOVED IT.  This parent/teacher was inspired by some of the ideas such that this person was willing to incorporate them into his/her teaching practice.  Super cool.  Influence one, influence many.

I love talking math with teachers.  I love talking math with parents.  I love talking math with students.  The greatest reward is knowing that all three cohorts love talking about it too.  Sometimes I wonder about my pedagogical journey… where am I going… what’s my purpose… what’s the next chapter… in the end, I know that I’m going in the right direction.  People feel good about learning about math and I feel great sharing my love for math with them.  Everyone can do math… MATH RULES.