Math teachers finding passion in connection their subject to students

Though math can be a challenge, many teachers are passionate about the subject and connecting it with their kids, including Linsey Zimmerman and Leah Jennings. 

Zimmerman said she wrestled in settling on math.. “I truly did not know what I wanted to be when I was in high school. I knew math was my favorite subject as a lot of it made sense to me and I seemed to be pretty good at figuring things out. My mom had always shared that she thought I would be a teacher, just like her, and my stubbornness said ‘No, I’m not.’ When I got to college I declared I was a math major, and as time passed and people asked me, ‘Oh, what will you do with that?’ I found I didn’t have an answer, so, after some tears and talking with my dad who said, ‘If you think you should be a teacher, you probably should. Don’t be so stubborn just so Mom isn’t right.’ I then took some education classes and really enjoyed working with kids during my field experiences to help build their confidence in their problem solving skills. Now 17 years later, I’m still at it.”

Jennings also shared why she was inspired. “I’ve almost always wanted to be some kind of teacher, and I have always loved math, so it made sense to put the two together.”

Zimmerman also enjoys connecting math to students. She said, “My favorite part of teaching is getting to know the students beyond their math skills.  I enjoy learning about their interests and about who they are and what they care about.  Celebrating ‘Thankful Thursday’ each week in class helps bring out some of those things. The most rewarding part about being a math teacher, specifically, is watching our students gain confidence in their problem solving skills and be able to explain why the math makes sense … not just ‘do’ it. So cool.”

Jennings also loves the interactions in class.  “Students. I want to learn other ways to help all of my students have a better understanding.”

While math may not be for everyone, many enjoy it, and both Zimmerman and Jennings find inspiration not only in the subject, but in connecting with their students.