“Success in math does not depend on how many answers you know, but by what you do when you don’t know the answer.” —Unknown

As a math teacher, my goal is to help all students become better problem solvers.  At times, this process simply requires learning new skills or recalling those previously learned.  We will spend class time exploring known theorems and practicing already tested algorithms.  This will help us build up to a more challenging endeavor- problem solving.  Problem solving is not repeating and applying the same steps learned in class to different expressions.  We problem solve when we are faced with a question or situation that we haven’t seen before, and we must determine how to put together the skills, algorithms, and theorems learned in class to find a solution to that problem.  Problem solving often involves creativity and courage.  Because of that, my goal is to create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable trying, possibly failing, and trying again.  It is important to remember that through the course of the year, we will all make mistakes.  Those mistakes can lead to some of the most powerful learning.