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Hey don't feel any connection with the subject matter, or the person presenting, because it does not affect their real-world life. I try to make them realize that they ARE connected.

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I work to make mathematics about thinking, not reducing it to discrete skills.

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The reason is that they don't have a teacher who understands how to work with them and their background. As a Black male teacher, I bring my experiences to them through my teaching, showing them support and care.

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Always look for opportunities to empower and inspire students to learn that Math is COOL 😎

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Kids don’t see the purpose of learning math. How is it going to help them?

Help them make connections on how math helps them in life also share about important AA people who have used math to make a difference in the world

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I believe African American students are falling in math due to teachers writing them off. And often times students can not relate to those teaching therefore not hearing the lesson they give. To change this narrative I have decided to teach, as a young African American female, and I can relate to those students through similar life experiences.

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Mathematics programming is still heavily influenced by tracking which has been found to be skewed along the lines of race and socioeconomic status. Tracking that begins too early is more influenced by teacher bias and perception of ability which means that students of color are usually not included in these groups.

I have detracked math at the elementary level in my district.

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Culturally they don’t typically see people like themselves in math.

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They do not connect with the teachers. In our community, we have to really consider who we are hiring to teach.

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Too many times, family and school expectations are low for mathematics achievement. Students decide as soon as they are not held to high standards that they are not expected to reach particular heights. I constantly grab ahold of and comment on successes with these students, trying to change their beliefs.

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I think it’s systemic. A lot of times our Black students have a lot going on at home making them less likely to be engaged in school. Then once they fall behind in math early on, it becomes harder to bridge the gap because math builds on itself.

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Some may not have parental support to help at home. For example, if a student does not understand the homework and some parents may not be able to help.

To help offer tutoring and have resources homework examples available.

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They have not been able to see the significance in math. The curriculum is not being related to students and using background knowledge that they are familiar with.

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I try to make all the students feel comfortable and safe to work. Being their confidence is very important.

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They don’t see the importance. I am changing the narrative by being the example.

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They have many ACEs ("rocks") thart some Educators do not give grace towards.

We must be more sensitive to the needs of our students.

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They haven’t seen the value or relevance of math.

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They don't see themselves in the math.