High school and college went by without a single Math teacher impacting hugely on my consciousness. All teachers were basically the same, the majority droned endlessly with their expert renditions of the day's topic. You either get it or you don't, if you're in the latter category, you're pretty much on your own. Then came my student practicum mentor. She's a single mom who has taught in the US with her young child in tow. As a single parent, she needed to reevaluate her priorities and options, and question and look at things from a different perspective. And that's how she approached the teaching of Math.
Given a mandated curriculum to implement, she looked for creative ways to present a flow of lessons that will maximize student engagement & discuss a richer depth of the topic.
Interesting, Maria. You seem like a very inspired math teacher -- so who was it who inspired you earlier on, if it wasn't your math teachers?
ReplyDeleteI am very glad to hear that your student practicum mentor is truly a mentor and a good example for you! I hope that your working relationship fosters good conversations and new ways of thinking about math teaching.