Math is for EVERYONE

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Saying “Math is for Everyone!” sometimes feels cliche to me. If math is for everyone, do our definitions of mathematics, experiences, teaching practices, sorting systems, and other actions support that? Actions have to match these words in order to make this shift a reality. I have recently been intrigued by the work of Francis Su, a professor at Harvey Mudd College and former president of the Mathematical Association of America. His speech “The Lesson of Grace in Teaching” after accepting the MAA Haimo Teaching Award in January of 2013 reveals the human side to teaching and learning. One of his opening statements blew me away, “Your accomplishments are NOT what make you a worthy human being”. How often are students getting this message? What actions do we take that support this statement? What actions do we take that support the opposite?

 

Su goes on to describe what he calls, The Lesson of Grace

  • Giving GRACE to our STUDENTS
  • Understanding GRACE in our TEACHING
  • Communicating GRACE in the STRUGGLE
  • Sharing GRACE in our WEAKNESS

 

Check out his speech here. What does this mean to you? What does this mean to your teaching?

 

His ideas from this speech prompted him to write Mathematics for Human Flourishing that just came out January 2020. I can’t wait to read it! francissu.com

Courtney LaRoche

MCTM President