How to Become a Good Math Teacher

Math is a great subject to teach because it's challenging and you can see immediate results. You have the joy of seeing children learn concepts and put them into practice and application. But math can be frustrating for you and your students when there are procedures that require multiple steps, but there is great satisfaction for you both when the skill is mastered. Math doesn't have to be boring for you or your students. You can become a good math teacher and help reinvigorate yourself for the classroom.

Instructions

1. Embrace the subject. If you liked math in school, this won't be too hard. You'll naturally be enthusiastic. On the other hand, you may not love math. But if you're hired to teach a contained classroom (all subjects taught by one teacher), accept it as a challenge, not a chore.

2. Do the research. Whenever you find out what grade you're going to teach, try to get a teacher's edition of the math textbook. Pore over it, look at the scope and sequence of skills and the benchmarks that will be covered throughout the year. If you don't like the order in which the skills are taught, look through the index and highlight the chapters you want to be sure to teach during the year. Doing these things helps you take ownership of the teaching process.

3. Plan ahead. This is true for new or veteran teachers. Teachers new to math instruction must be sure they stay a few steps ahead in lesson planning and preparation. If the students see that you're unsure of yourself, it may make them less confident in themselves. No matter your expertise in the subject, being well prepared will show in your presentation and command of the facts. When students need help, you will be better able to meet their needs. Veteran teachers know that being prepared is still helpful to them because of the many changes in strategies and trends in math education. Websites, education journals and workshops can help all teachers stay informed of important information that can help them and their students.

4. Make it fun. Math is a series of facts, figures, equations and formulas, but that doesn't mean that learning these has to be laborious. Talk to other math teachers or look online to get ideas for math games that can convey concepts in ways that enrich the advanced learner or help the struggling one. If you're fortunate enough to teach in a school that has a computer lab or if you have computers in your classroom, utilize the thousands of interactive games that can be accessed. They take the hum-drum out of the everyday notebook and pencil tradition.

5. Keep a positive attitude. It's easy to see the negatives in math instruction, especially when teachers for other subjects are presenting plays, going on field trips or going outside to collect bugs for science. Math may be the least-liked subject for some of your students, and you'll surely hear the usual "When I am ever going to use this in life?"
   No matter how many examples of real-life situations you give them in which they will need mathematics, you'll hear the complaints. When these things happen, keep the following in mind: You are teaching a subject of core value--one that has practical value and one that teaches discipline. It takes a lot of work to memorize formulas and steps.
   Math is deemed "most important" (along with reading), and administrators will give you respect and a good deal of freedom in how you teach if you help raise state test scores or have students who excel in math competitions with other schools.
   Finally, math teachers are in demand everywhere. You will always be able to find employment.

Resources

• http://funschool.kaboose.com/formula-fusion/carnival/index.html