Funded Sep 19, 2023Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your selflessness in giving towards my project, "The Math Lab"!
This year I had the opportunity for the first time in my 18 year career to centralize in teaching mathematics to my students. It is known that girls and children of color often underperform in mathematics. My goal was to begin changing that narrative with my students by fostering a love for math.
My journey as the math teacher began with a lens in literacy. One of the sayings I say most in class is: TO BE A MATHEMATICIAN, YOU MUST BE A READER! I wanted to build a lending library with as many books that could inspire my students. A highlight of this library was to ensure that the students saw characters and real people that looked like them--people of color, girls, etc! From books about important mathematicians in careers where math is needed, to realistic fictional stories about children's experiences with math--my students were exposed to the possibilities that math can lead them to, and learned that as challenging as math can be, they have the tools to overcome and shine in the subject.
It has been such a great joy watching them go into the library during their free time to read up on mathematicians, or just enjoy stories that helps them improve their skills in the mathematical operations! One book in particular that my students have most enjoyed is the Math Allergy, where the character creates a fictitious allergy to math by writing equations all over her body. Our students mirrored this story's plot for our Reading Parade. With different mathematical equations taped to their clothes, they marched through the halls of the school shouting "We love to read!" while challenging fellow classmates and teachers to "cure" them of their math allergy by solving one of the mathematical equations they've created. It was such a wonderful time!
My hope is to continue this work with my students each year, watching the love for math grow! Thank you again for your kindness in allowing my vision to come true!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Reyes