Educator to Learner

THOUGHT

We must practice non-attachment as teachers and be willing to explore new territory, in order to move away from what we know, toward what we don't know and have to learn.

REFLECTION #1

If we look at the curriculum from only our own perspectives, and what we LIKE to teach in math, then we are quite probably failing students by limiting the range of mathematical topics, or not spending enough time on areas of math that some students might find fascinating. We cannot let our own bias come in the way of fully exploring some areas in the math curriculum.

REFLECTION #2

By challenging ourselves, as educators, to explore areas of math that do not come as easily to us, or that we do not enjoy, we may discover, as learners, that there are aspects of these units that we can find something to like about it. Even if this enthusiasm for a topic is forced in the beginning, if students become excited about the unit, and are discovering new things, this can be enough to encourage the teacher to continue to find ways to keep the students engaged and learning in this area. Thus, the teacher is an educator, and a learner, in this endeavour.

Here are some (American) links I found to be an interesting read on the teaching of math:

Mathematics Education
Barry Garelick Myth