Whether as a teacher, parent or grandparent, I am always promoting intellectual curiosity. In either case I do this by modeling. Since I was very young, I sought to acquire knowledge. During that time, I observed and listened attentively to my teachers. I was mesmerized by the le...
The importance of technology has become more obvious in recent years. Calculators and computers are present in almost all mathematics classrooms. Tablets and cell phones are available to a large portion of the student population. These, and other technological advancements,m are ...
When someone asks a teacher if they have ever allowed their students to assume their role, most would probably think of allowing students to go in front of the class and work a problem or give a report. In my case, there were times that I let my students assume the role of a teac...
Making lessons relevant generates interest and thus motivates students’ desire to learn. When teaching mathematics, I always sought to find a practical application to the concepts that I was teaching. Students were constantly asking, “Why do I need to learn this?” One of ...
If you want to be successful, you need to believe in yourself. The process toward believing in yourself begins by gathering information on any task you pursue. Knowing that you have gathered information to make informed decisions is very important in trusting that you will make t...
Although teachers tend to control what is being taught in the classroom, success is more likely if students are allowed to be active participants in the learning process. In developing a lesson, teachers should include ways that students can take a more active role in how and wha...
All of us should be receptive to learning from those around us. I learned that lesson when I was very young. As far as I am concerned, my decision to become a mathematics teacher when I was six years old impacted the teacher that I am today. Beginning from elementary school throu...
In your career and personal life you need to be flexible. Although planning for the future is important, there will be circumstances where it is inevitable that plans will have to be changed. It is important that a change of plans does not frustrate you in any way. When planning,...
After making my decision to become a teacher sixty years ago, I have been asked on numerous occasions how do I stay motivated. The simple answer is that I am doing what I love doing. Helping others is something that I learned from my parents and something that has become an integ...
During my lifetime, I have worked at emphasizing my strengths and minimizing my weaknesses. This is something that I encourage everyone to focus on. It is something that I encourage teachers and parents to teach their students and children. In accomplishing this task, an effort...
