The Infamous Mathematics by Sophia

The Infamous Mathematics by Sophia - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

If the roles were reversed, and I was given the privilege to teach an academic subject, I would choose to teach the infamous, villainized, loathed, mathematics.

I would choose to teach math because it has accumulated a villainous reputation over the years, despite the fact that it is extremely vital to the success of our society.

Mathematics creates innovators, engineers, and revolutionaries. Through math, we are able to solve real world problems using calculations learned in middle school and high school. However, a study conducted by the University of California reveals that as many as 60% of college students intending to pursue a STEM major end up dropping out as a result of mathematically related difficulties.

The fact is that our society is uninspired by the wonders mathematics has to offer and discouraged by the cognitive levels of thinking required by the subject. That unfortunate truth is the result of ineffective teaching methods and monotonous lectures.

Instructors refer to mathematical calculations as "math problems", and school systems push students into “lower level classes” when they have trouble adapting to unaccommodating curriculums and fail to meet extremely narrow standards. I can second this through first hand experience. However, each student learns differently: as demonstrated by the VARK model of learning. It is important to recognize that every human on this planet has an ability to think at highly cognitive levels.

Sal Khan the creator of Khan Academy, an online tutoring resource famous for helping students with math problems has stated, "You can learn anything". No one was born knowing how to speak, walk, or ride a bike. Even Mozart wasn't born knowing how to play the piano: It was a skill he took the time to learn through practice and hard work. Why can't it be the same for mathematics?

As a math teacher, I would empower my students with this philosophy. It's extremely important to be able to connect math to the real world, and that is often left out of mathematical curriculums. I would ensure that each and everyone of my student's learning needs are met, and assure them that, despite what the school system might say, they have the ability to learn anything.