Along with other educators around the world, maths teachers have had to work harder than ever to do their job this year, as many schools moved to online learning and new methods of teaching.
This World Teachers Day, ORIGO Education, which supports teachers in 14 nations around the globe, recognises the passion and dedication of our maths leaders and to thank them for their hard work to help kids succeed in the classroom.
Hear from seven passionate maths teachers as they share with us why they love what they do.
1. Connection is key
“I definitely strive to teach maths differently to how I was taught because I never made the connection when I was at school. If students can’t connect, there’s no value to what we do as teachers.”
– Vicki Sibosado, Cable Beach Primary School, WA
2. It’s rewarding and you get instant feedback
“Teaching three- to five-year-olds is extremely rewarding,” said Miss Lisa. “You can really see how your work is helping them”.
“There is a markable difference,” Miss Pam agreed. “Sometimes even month to month there is a notable change, and that sort of instant type feedback from the students is so rewarding.”
– Miss Pam and Miss Lisa, Glassboro Head Start
3. There’s nothing better than those lightbulb moments!
“I love seeing the lightbulb moment in kids when they finally understand the problem!”
“I believe all children are capable of learning mathematics and I make it my mission to get children to enjoy maths and have a positive maths identity and relationship to numbers.”
– Danielle Dudo, Newell Elementary School, Grand Island Public School District, United States
4. I love making maths relevant to the everyday lives of children
“Maths is one of my favourite subjects to teach. If we can give it relevance to a child’s everyday life and show how it’s an important part of their life, then I think we’re doing a good job.
It’s for this reason that I take a hands-on, real-world approach to teaching maths and I make time for incidental learning, investigation time and provide concrete materials for them to explore.”
– Tina Barron, St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School in Gladstone, Central Queensland
5. I love the mindset that maths provides to kids
“As a teacher, it makes me really happy that math now allows for kids to take their time, problem solve and keep trying even if they don’t get it on the first go; ORIGO Education is a wonderful resource to use when teaching with this mindset.”
– PB Smith Elementary, Emily Fenner
6. You get to learn too!
“I actually never really liked teaching mathematics until last year when I started using the ORIGO Education Stepping Stones program.
“Within a matter of weeks, we noticed math scores significantly rise and I was actually learning things right alongside my students!
“It’s been a real joy to see those ‘ah-ha’ moments when information turns into understanding and I definitely think Stepping Stones has been a big contributor to the positive change in attitude that both my students and myself have experienced when it comes to math.”
– Erica Rangel, Manassas City Public School, United States
7. Despite stereotypes, maths can be both creative and inspiring
“I don’t have a background in math, it is simply a passion,” said Melanie.
“Most people don’t understand the creativity that goes into math, but the diversity of the subject keeps me inspired, and creative.”
– Melanie Bagshaw from Springwoods Elementary School in Prince William County, VA, United States