The Problem with the Maths teacher

Below is an excerpt of a letter from a class teacher to a parent.

"Cindy is weak in Maths. She can hardly add two or three digits numbers. I believe, this problem has something to do with either long family hereditary diseases or laziness. Please, you can seek for an expert advice or a medical advice."

Most parents once a while receive letters such as this. This is an honest and hard working teacher who has just been nominated as the best teacher in school. Before, we delve into the most important part of the letter.

Honestly,  one quality I like about this teacher is that though, we've not met, he is an Honest teacher. He says in the letter, that the parent should consult an Expert or a Medical Officer. Every teacher should do this . Be honest about your weakness. Yes just be honest. Most teachers are not honest about their efficiency in the work we do.

But, blaming the child is the problem I have with this teacher.  Cindy is not the problem. Her inability to understand Maths has nothing to do with her. Her only problem is that she needs an expert to teach her. Her class teacher is not an expert. He has no skill in teaching including Cindy.

Cindy's problem solved using the most workable methodology and appropriate teaching and learning materials. There are several ways of teaching children Maths. The easy approach, which most times fails is to teach children numbers as symbols rather than teaching numbers as representing quantity. So, we only focus on the memorization of numbers without understanding the principles that underlines those numbers.












The Writer is a Consultant, Teacher and Training Officer. He provides training, mentoring, coaching and consultancy services for teachers and schools.
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