Philosophy of Teaching Mathematics
Most students cringe at the thought of mathematics. They claim they don't like it, don't get it, don't want to do it, and just simply can't do math. Although these are popular heartbreaking statements, it leaves me determined with an important mission; to teach math. I believe that everyone can do math, and the idea of "can't" is just not
true. In fact, I believe that within every student there is a little mathematician just waiting to break free. My job as a math teacher is to change the "can't" to "can," and to set their inner mathematicians free.
Each student enters my classroom with the ability to learn and the desire
to succeed in math. My role as a math teacher is to make sure I get them to succeed.
In doing so, I present the information in a variety of ways so every student can receive the material in a way that fits the needs of their own unique learning style. Some styles include pictures, role play, graphs, manipulative, computers and technology, games, discussions, peer collaboration, reading and literature, exploration, and direct instruction.
It is important that through these styles, students understand why they are doing the problem, how it relates to life, and how they solved the problem to generate their answer. Math isn't about getting the right answer. It is about how the students got there, how they got to an answer, and what they can learn, use, and connect from the problem.
Another way that I can change their "can'ts to "cans" is by building their confidence. It is important to build students confidence in math, because they will believe in themselves. They will believe that they can do the work and solve the problems, and will have motivation to do and complete the work. I will start to build their confidence by first grabbing their interest. I will achieve this by picking a topic where I can connect the information to something meaningful to them. When the students are given something they can relate to or have prior knowledge of, it brings the students to a great advantage right from the beginning. Some advantages will be that the student(s) will know what you are referring to based on their prior knowledge, they will have an interest in the topic, and
they can make a direct connection between math and how it applies in/to their life. It is extremely important for students to understand why they are doing it, and how to apply the information.
Math is no doubt a journey, but by the end, the results are astronomical. When the "light bulb" finally clicks, there is such a joy on a student's face that gazes with the happiness of success. Through this gaze, as a math teacher, I know that my student has changed their "can't" into "can" and has reached success. Every day when the students come through the door, I'm given the chance to make a difference in their life. Math contains important and valuable academic and life skills. We revolve in a world of math, and it's time to have every student believe they can do it, and be successful. As teachers, we are the key that unlocks their academic world and skills for the future, so they can too, become successful.