What if you were to enjoy Math, and the teacher wasn't a drag?

As I wait for her at a cafe in the city, I begin to paint a picture (in my head) of her. Thick glasses, a stern expression, and a highbrow demeanour - I am certain I'll be able to identify Maarit Rossi.

Little do I know that I will be failing this exam! For when the Finnish Math teacher walks up to me and engulfs me in a warm hug, I learn how wrong I've been about Math teachers (and the subject, as well) all this while. "Don't worry, I too had been teaching Math 'wrong' my entire life," smiles Rossi, "I am often mistaken for a nurse!" Yes, that's the kind of warmth she exudes. A Math teacher for more than 30 years and a principal for 15, Rossi was in Dubai as one of the judges for the recently concluded Global Teacher Prize Competition 2017. In 2016, she was one of the top ten finalists in the competition. Over a cup of coffee, Rossi makes me fall in love with Math. Surprisingly, by the end of the evening I hear myself saying these words, 'I'd love to revisit the subject.'
"I spent the first 10 years of my career teaching (Math) like other teachers - just like I was taught. Then, I went to Leeds University and it hit me - the children were not liking or learning Math because we were not teaching them well." This was in the 1990s. Leeds University is known for its constructive teaching and learning methods, "Which basically means that a student has to build an understanding for the subject oneself. Learning isn't about repeating what the teachers say. It is important for the children to use their brain (act, research, question, debate) to solve the problems - when we are active in our own learning, we learn better." Also, she lays emphasis on working in a group. "Children should be encouraged to work together, rather than merely sit in rows in a classroom."
In 2004, Rossi along with two other Finnish teachers developed a fresh curriculum and tested it in the classes - and noticed a change. "But, it was not implemented. The professor, who was guiding us, told us that we were way ahead of our time." However, it only strengthened their spirits. A Fulbright Program took her to the US, where she was encouraged to translate the study material in English, and well, she didn't have to look back post-that. This autumn, Finland's syllabus has introduced the theory of constructive learning, "Now is my time."
As for Rossi, she always knew she'd be studying Math. "I love Math so much." I can't help, but tell her that she is one of the very few people (in the world), who would have mouthed these words - which, she is confident is going to change over the next few years. Her second love is children. She may have officially retired (in 2015), but her schedule can put any busy working professional to shame. What keeps her going? "The fascinated expression on the faces of the children." Now, she takes fewer lessons for children and is mostly occupied teaching the teachers in Africa, China, Turkey, Poland, Finland, Bulgaria, Singapore, and of course the UAE, amongst other countries. Soon, she'd take up lessons for corporates as well, as part of leadership courses. During her short stay in Dubai, she along with the world's top 10 Math teachers worked on creating material to integrate global citizenship with the subject. She conducted three workshops with teachers in the UAE. "The teachers were having so much fun, they were laughing - it was music to my ears and that's how classrooms can look like." She has also released a web course for teachers at inspirationalmath.com. "Everyone is waking up and accepting that not all is right with Math and the situation needs to change. Unfortunately, Math is one subject that has not been developed - no one has touched it. We've been stuck with one model of teaching for decades. Foremost, the teachers have to start thinking differently." In Finland, every year, the schools come up with a big theme, which integrates all the subjects.
The teaching process should answer the question - what kind of skills do the children need in future? "Problem solving, co-operation, and management, amongst others. Math can teach a child all of these." Next, she puts me in a spot, asking me to share 'how much' is a square metre? "Have you ever seen how large or small it is?" Hmm. I have solved the problems. Now, picture this. In her classroom, she hands over a metre long stick to the kids - followed by showing them what a cubic metre or say a square metre actually measures up to. "They have never seen a cubic metre!" Interestingly, the next time, they'd read a piece on a certain million cubic metre of mud that has been dug from the sea, they'd know exactly how much is being spoken about (that's integration of Math with environment for you). The same goes for litres, kilos, etc. "Such lessons open up their mind. They would be able to look at a parking lot and estimate its size in square metres."
Her last words on the subject - "We can't burden the children with rules and steps. When life doesn't follow steps - then, why should teaching a subject?" Now, that answer deserves full marks.
Math Q&A
Does she have a favourite mathematician? No, I have favourite theories, instead."
The one thing that we don't know about Math teachers?
They have the best jokes!
She loves. Geometry
As a child, she didn't like. Linear Algebra
Good teacher vs. bad. There's no good or bad Math teacher, just like there is no good or bad Math student. Just as with any skill or subject, an individual will learn and teach better. Yes, a Math teacher can be boring or fun.
Are we scared of Math?
"Because the Math we are teaching in schools is just letters and numbers - with no connection to real lives of children or even adults. It has nothing to do with us using hands, working in groups or learning about society." True, all of us (kids) did spend days wondering why were we asked to memorise the value of pi or the Pythagoras Theorem.
Purva is a storyteller. She is in search of her favourite word
purva@khaleejtimes.com