Math Is Fun Forum

antonrasmussen

Member

Registered: 2013-11-25

Posts: 16

Hello from Minnesota!

Hi all!

My name is Anton and I am an aspiring mathematics teacher and actuarial researcher.

Super interested in connecting with people interested in math.

I haven't always considered myself a "math person"; but, as I keep working at my math skills and keep putting in the effort, I find that I am getting better at math.

I'm interested in being involved in a rich community of people who like to talk about math so it looks like I'm in the right place!!

Take care,

Anton

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Hi;

Welcome to the forum.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

antonrasmussen

Member

Registered: 2013-11-25

Posts: 16

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Thanks Bobby!

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Your welcome. Math is like everything else, practice makes perfect.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

hi Anton,

Welcome to the forum

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

roniman

Member

Registered: 2013-11-24

Posts: 30

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Hi Anton!

what made you want to be a math teacher?

---

"Who Dares Wins" - Motto of the British Special Air Service

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Hi Anton

Welcome to the forum!

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

antonrasmussen

Member

Registered: 2013-11-25

Posts: 16

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Thanks Everyone!

antonrasmussen

Member

Registered: 2013-11-25

Posts: 16

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Hi Anton!

what made you want to be a math teacher?

Hey Roniman,

Great question!

I really want to teach . . . I think I'd be a good teacher too. But, instead of teaching subjects like English or Economics or even History, Math is the kind of subject where there is always a correct answer.

So, I feel like by teaching math I'm not only teaching a "subject" but a logical way of thinking.

Do you teach? What's been your experience with teaching?

antonrasmussen

Member

Registered: 2013-11-25

Posts: 16

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Your welcome. Math is like everything else, practice makes perfect.

I had a music teacher tell me once that "Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect" . . . I try to live by that.

Which is why, after an unsuccessful attempt at sitting for actuarial Exam P, I am going back to the basics and making sure I have command of everything from High School math into Calculus.

It's going to take a lot more time, but as I progress in the exams I think it's going to be a good investment.

Thanks again for welcoming me to the group I look forward to getting into some discussion around the forum.

-Anton

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

That is generally true. I would not worry about that actuarial exam, they are tough.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

antonrasmussen

Member

Registered: 2013-11-25

Posts: 16

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

That is generally true. I would not worry about that actuarial exam, they are tough.

Thanks bobby. Yeah. I'm going to take a new approach and keep track of all my notes so that I can give them away for free  . . .

If I can't do it on my own, maybe the gods of Karma will shine on me for helping others who have had problems like myself

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

They can be pretty mean when they want. Ask when you are stuck on any problem.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

roniman

Member

Registered: 2013-11-24

Posts: 30

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Hi Anton!

what made you want to be a math teacher?

Hey Roniman,

Great question!

I really want to teach . . . I think I'd be a good teacher too. But, instead of teaching subjects like English or Economics or even History, Math is the kind of subject where there is always a correct answer.

So, I feel like by teaching math I'm not only teaching a "subject" but a logical way of thinking.

Do you teach? What's been your experience with teaching?

Yes, I teach, I teach anything from Pre-Alg to Calc. Favorite being AP Calc.

My experience with teaching has been nothing short of amazing! I love working with kids, I love empowering my students, I love challenging them to solve things on their own. I love what I do, and when my kickstarter blows up, I will STILL be doing it!

---

"Who Dares Wins" - Motto of the British Special Air Service

antonrasmussen

Member

Registered: 2013-11-25

Posts: 16

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

OK Roniman,

So, I have to ask . . . and any other teachers out there . . . feel free to answer as well. What is it that seems to work to get people to learn the most? I've been hearing a lot about "applied learning" lately. Is that just another "buzz" word or is having an immediate application pretty much the go to teaching method for mathematics?

I'm trying to find a unique "angle" on how to approach teaching math; but, everything I've come up with is either faddish or . . . I don't know . . . silly.

-Anton

roniman

Member

Registered: 2013-11-24

Posts: 30

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

I'm not sure if there's one simple answer to your question, but I'll take a shot.
I think it's a culmination of things:
1) to be good at math, you have to practice. PERIOD.
2) to be good at math, you have to WANT to be good at math. So I ask my students do a little of their own soul searching to see how much work they're really ready to do.
3) to be effective at teaching math, I believe you have to be passionate about it. The kids don't care how much math you can do, they want to know that you care about their growth.

As for "applied learning", I think anyone who wants to learn something don't want to just sit there and listen to someone lecture over and over again. So any sort of activity helps encourage them to be more hands on. However, if you just sit there and only offer activities, then it will also not have the effect you want.

---

"Who Dares Wins" - Motto of the British Special Air Service

antonrasmussen

Member

Registered: 2013-11-25

Posts: 16

Re: Hello from Minnesota!

Thanks Roniman!

Great stuff:D