"What was your greatest 'learning' this semester with regard to teaching children mathematics? How has your thinking shifted?"

I have learned much throughout my math methods course; however, I have to say that my greatest 'learning' in regard to teaching mathematics has been centered around student "answers". Although there is typically a single "correct" answer to many problems in mathematics, teachers in today's schools need to be accepting of the numerous routes through which a student may travel to collect the "ideal" answer. With that being said, teachers must stop explicitly telling students how to go about solving problems, and instead allow them to meaningfully engage with the mathematics presented to them. After all, it is the student who plays the most significant role in their understanding of mathematics; teachers should facilitate this feat, but in no way shape or form preach the "only" way of doing something!

This notion has taken me by complete surprise; so much so, that when I reflect upon my grade school years they seem so confined it's troubling! Having now completed my observation days, I have been reminded to the diversity of learners that once sat beside me, and now can easily see where mathematics instruction had failed them. At that point in time, teachers were so caught up on the "right" way of doing math, that students who devised the "correct" answer but whose workings did not correspond to the answer key were wrong! Luckily, I was not one of those students, but now believe it was those students who were the ones with an enhanced understanding and appreciation for math, which sadly, was never fostered.

As I aspire toward my future career, I feel it necessary to make the connection between my new knowledge and previous experience.  To ensure the success of my students in the exciting field of mathematics, I hope to stimulate their interest in learning through creative instruction and relateable content; most importantly, I will allow my students to construct their own understanding of mathematics through which ever means is best suited to them!