During my lifetime, I have followed 2 simple rules that have kept me happy. Rule #1: Do what makes you happy and Rule #2: always try your best. These rules apply to the job you choose, relationships you have and for those choosing to compete in mathematics. I have loved mathemati...
Whether it is teaching, coaching or being a parent, everyone should have a plan for success. The first thing that needs to be done in developing a plan is to set the major goal of what needs to be accomplished. This goal can be the target for an individual or a team. After the ma...
Teachers that I meet at workshops and parents that talk to me frequently, ask me how I can remain so motivated about teaching and writing instructional math workbooks. The answer is simple. I am constantly looking for better ways to teach a concept or a faster way to solve a math...
During my career I have acquired a lot of knowledge about teaching in general and mathematics in particular. More than 30 years ago, I decided that I had an obligation to share the knowledge that I had acquired with teachers, parents, and students. I did this in a variety of ways...
There are numerous instances in mathematics where common errors occur. In my opinion, the most frequent in my career occurred when 0 divided a number. Division by 0 occurs in elementary mathematics, coordinate geometry (finding slope) and calculus (finding limits). Explaining why...
I still remember a comment made to me by an English teacher, Mr. Hook, when I was attending Mission High School. Mr. Hook said, “Leo, you have an innate ability to get people to do what you want, but they believe that they made the decision to act.” Incredibly, this occurre...
During my teaching and coaching career, I have been told by the students in my classroom and by those I prepare for competitive mathematics that they learn many more concepts from me than from their other teachers or coaches in the same amount of time. Since I self-analyze, I hav...
Something that I admire about outstanding teachers is that they can think on their feet. This attribute is one that can be developed by teachers that prepare intensively. Prior to a lesson, teachers should have developed a plan for success. This plan for success is applicable to ...
During my career, I have observed that outstanding teachers are always assessing their students. Teachers are constantly trying to determine the strengths and weakness of each student that they teach. They do this by questioning done in the classroom, grading class work, grading...
In general, I believe that outstanding teachers are fair. Each student needs to be treated with respect. The remedy for each type of discipline problem needs to be the same for all students. Students need to know the consequences for misbehaving. They need to trust that a teache...
