| Why is math so hard to teach and why are there so | | | | passion for math, a genuine concern for their person, |
| few good math teachers? Whether you are a student, | | | | and a willingness to take risks in one's approach to |
| parent, or yes--even a math teacher--you know how | | | | teaching. |
| true this question is. Effective math teaching requires | | | | Days and months could be spent on all the reasons |
| more than just a good handle on the subject. A great | | | | that the teaching profession is hurting: why there are |
| high school math teacher must be a great salesperson; | | | | so few good math and science teachers; why math |
| moreover, effective teaching--period--requires that the | | | | test scores are sinking; why students are not achieving |
| teacher be a better salesperson than the students. For | | | | like their Asian brothers and sisters are; on and on and |
| if you can sell the students your bag of goods | | | | on. The purpose of this article, however, is to get right |
| successfully every day, then your knowledge of the | | | | to the point: effective math teaching begins with a |
| subject becomes a secondary attribute. Additionally, if | | | | burning passion for the subject in question and an |
| you manifest a genuine concern for the individuals that | | | | intimate connection to the dimension within which the |
| you teach, mix this with a little humor, present the | | | | "mathematical spirit" resides. Without either of these |
| material with a commanding knowledge, and show | | | | two qualities, you will not be an effective math teacher: |
| enthusiasm for what you are selling, then the victory | | | | without passion, you will never be able to repel the |
| will be easily at hand. | | | | daily buffets of the students; and without that spiritual |
| Anyone who can teach a bunch of high school kids on | | | | connection, you will never be able to tap into that |
| a daily basis--let alone a subject like algebra, geometry, | | | | higher realm, where magical discoveries are made and |
| or integrated math--is worthy of some kudos. | | | | serendipitous insights are yours for the asking. |
| Teaching effectively on a daily basis is worthy of | | | | You want to teach math effectively? Forget |
| adoration. An effective salesperson must win over his | | | | remembering formulas and rote ways to solve |
| clients and close the sale. A great teacher must win | | | | problems. Tap into a higher consciousness. Develop a |
| over his students and "close" their education. Once a | | | | zeal for the mysteries that this subject unfolds. Let |
| teacher closes his students, disciples are made and | | | | your students sense this ardor. Be a great |
| the rest is easy. Closing one's students requires a | | | | salesperson. The rest will be simply magic. |