Most students hate math, but a good math teacher can change that. A good math teacher can help build confidence in students who struggle with arithmetic and fail to develop good calculation skills. A fun and interactive math teacher can breathe new life into the subject for students who find math boring. To be a successful math teacher, you must possess some distinct qualities that aid in connecting with the students. These include both tangible and technical skills.
A good math teacher makes their class a fun place to be. Here are a few characteristics that every math teacher should have:
Encouraging and Empathetic
It comes as no surprise that most students struggle with mathematics and find it intimidating in all grades. Many fail to comprehend the concepts and formulas since it is based on logical reasoning that can hardly be achieved through memorization. This is why a good math teacher should be empathetic and encourage students to try and explore different approaches. By introducing them to alternative strategies and learning styles, a teacher can help them overcome their problems.
Familiarity With the Course
No teacher can impart knowledge effectively until they understand the material themselves. This is why people pursuing mathematics degrees should meet high expectations and standards to pass their coursework. Once you get to the teaching part, the knowledge needs to be broken down and made simpler to explain to students who, unlike you, do not have in-depth knowledge of the subject. Therefore, knowing the reasoning behind concepts and their importance is vital for a math teacher.
Open-Minded and Contemporary
According to Forbes, interpersonal and communication skills are the most underrated and ignored leadership skills for teachers. Both are directly related to the fact that teachers work closely with children from different backgrounds. Understanding and maintaining an open-minded approach to cultural differences is essential and may also determine the longevity of a teacher's career.
Resourceful
Teachers often face situations where they are clueless about a student's question, but knowing how and where to obtain the information is a critical skill. This suggests that every math professional wanting to ace their academic circle should be resourceful. Some beneficial skills include studying and interpreting journal articles, communicating with their peers about inquiries, etc.
Teaching students how to effectively use their resourcefulness when solving problems rather than copying answers is also necessary. Teachers should encourage students to look up similar problems and review their solutions.
Collaborative
A teacher should also possess excellent collaboration and engagement skills. Mathematic teachers often have to devise ways to motivate their students to tackle this not-so-fun subject. This can be very challenging if they cannot capture children's interest in a collaborative project and make it exciting.
Math is undoubtedly a difficult subject. But a teacher has to do their best to make it enjoyable. All it requires is intent, love for the subject, and the skills mentioned above. Shelton Davis sets an example by making math fun in his new book Rayna & Omar: Learn 2 and 3 Time Tables. Grab your copy today.
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