Christina Allegretto: Mathematics Education by Christina Allegretto

When I used to hear the word math I would instantly cringe. I was the student that memorized not the student who understood. It was only after I started teaching that I gained a new appreciation for the subject. In fact, I started to see how the concepts I learned back in elementary and secondary school held a greater purpose outside the classroom. Math is everywhere. Nowadays, I often find myself recognizing the usefulness of math in a variety of different situations. Math means more than numbers, more than the idea of problem solving, more than formulas, everything I thought math was is so far from what math means to me today.
Math is struggle, perseverance, risk and authenticity.

After reading the stories, I find myself relating to Krista Collin’s article “Beauty in the Beast: Falling for Math”. Her math learning experience was similar to mine, the student who couldn’t wait for math class to end, now I’m the teacher who looks forward to finding new and creative ways to implement math.

"I found my greatest successes come when I help those who were completely paralyzed by math to discover its relevance and beauty." - Krista Collins

It is in these moments of "discovery" where I realize the rewarding experiences we as teachers have the privilege of witnessing. In the article, Collins refers to having taught Joe, a student who was intimated by the idea of math. I have had the pleasure teaching multiple “Joe’s”. Not in name, but in mindset. The “Joe’s” were terrified by the concept of math; the numbers, the formulas, the problem solving. To them, math was impossible. I learned the most from the “Joe’s”; how to tailor instruction, real world connections, the conversations and the importance of creating a safe learning environment. To provide students with the opportunity to develop a mindset that appreciates the authenticity of mathematics through real world problems, perseverance and struggle.

Lets make learning mathematics worth discovering. It is a concept I strive to meet everyday.

"Beauty in the Beast: Falling for Math" By Krista Collins http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol4/415-newvoices.aspx

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