Looking To The Future

Well it's been a great run with all of you throughout our short stay discussing critical issues in mathematics. You know, I don't think there's a more critical issue out there in math classes for us to discuss than the one we have. We have discusses the misbehaviors, the low grades, the disinterested students, the textbook lesson plans, the lack of time to teach, the CRT's, the pathways program, the pressures from school district and higher personnel - the list goes on. And a common theme throughout all of our discourse, the tread that binded them all together has been how we teach and how our students learn math. The "conservative vision of education" that not only finds a home in Amber Hill but many of our schools is really having severe implciations on the future potential of so many young people. We now know unequivocally that as teachers we need to engage students, all students, and provide them with appropriate, stimulating activities in a class environment condusive to open-ended projects and tasks. We need to tune out the naysayers, we need to try something different, now. I wish all of you the very best in these endeavours we will each take back to our classrooms. I hope from time to time we can check back here with each other to update the group on any new initiatives we may be taking in class. Today and tomorrow it is our responsible, our duty to bring about the change we know we need, the change we've finally found, in all of our math classes. We too can become a Phoenix Park.

I'll see you down the road. All the best.