Instructors Chengde Feng and Yunhua Xu have been teaching mathematics since 1964 (for 60 years). In 1990, they arrived in the United States after 26 years of teaching in Tianjin, China. Instructor Feng was fortunate to be offered an opportunity as a visiting scholar with the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY) at John's Hopkins University, a research program founded by Professor Julian Stanley, who was a world-renowned scholar and pioneer in the field of early childhood education. Under the guidance of Professor Stanley, Instructors Feng and Xu began their 34-year education career in the United States. Over the years, they have nurtured thousands of young Chinese and American students, including winners of various math competitions, and even medalists at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). Many of them have now become experts and scholars spanning numerous disciplines.
In recent years, the rapid development of technology across the world has inspired many young people to fervently pursue stronger mathematical underpinnings. This has led to more and more demand for mathematical training that is both faster-paced and more rigorous, a demand which is often not met by traditional classroom teaching. Many parents are also increasingly eager for their children to gain exposure to mathematics earlier on in childhood, to lay a solid foundation for future growth and development. In 2007, the IDEA MATH program was founded to address this demand.
As another supplemental resource, Instructors Feng and Xu have now started Feng's Math, and are offering the following courses (all classes are online only), each targeted towards a particular grade level range:
For Grades 2-3: Happy Math
For Grades 3-4: Joy Math
For Grades 4-5: Sunshine Math
For Grades 6-8: Competition Math Preparation for Young Students
For Grades 8-10: AMC10 & Beyond
These courses are taught personally by Instructors Feng and Xu, synthesizing the unique strengths of Chinese and American math teaching, using a curriculum that has been carefully developed over decades. There will be emphasis on understanding of concepts, proving of theorems, derivation of formulas, and clarity of writing. Students will be expected to pay close attention in lectures, carefully digest the material, and be able to clearly express their logical reasoning. They will also be encouraged ask questions, participate actively in discussions, and learn to review and synthesize. The ultimate goal of Feng's Math is not just for students to win gratifying awards in math competitions, but more importantly, for students to acquire knowledge and skills not taught in school, and build a solid foundation for future growth and impact. After all, only the most diligent and persistent students will be able to go the furthest.
1964年冯承德、徐云华老师从华东师范大学数学系毕业，至今已从事数学教学58个春秋。在中国天津执教26年后，于1990年来美。冯承德老师有幸被 John's Hopkins 大学所属的 "数学早慧少年" 研究中心接受为访问学者，师从享誉全球的知名学者、少儿早慧教育领域的创立和开拓者 Julian Stanley 教授。在 Stanley 教授的悉心指导下，冯徐两位老师从此开始了在美30年的教育生涯。多年来他俩培育了数以万计的中美青少年学生，包括在中美各种数学竞赛的优胜者，乃至 IMO (国际数学奥林匹克赛)的奖牌得主。如今他们中的许多人已成为众多学科领域的专家、学者，教授，真可谓硕果累累，桃李满天下。
近年来，高科技在全球的迅猛发展，催生出众多对数学有浓厚兴趣、又学有余力的青少年。他们对尽早尽快获取数学知识的需求日益迫切，而传统的课堂教学已无法满足他们加快速度、提高难度的求知欲望。更多的家长也渴望自己的子女自幼得到良好的数学启蒙，为今后的成长和发展打下扎实的基础。2007年创办的 ldea Math 就提供了这样一个理想的 Program。今天作为一个补充的 "Feng's Math" 则设计了一个面向以下各个不同年级的新课目:
2-3 年级的"快乐数学"；
3-4 年级的"欢悦数学"；
4-5 年级的"阳光数学"；
6-8 年级的"初级数学竞赛考前训练"；
8-10 年级的"高级数学竞赛考前训练"。
课程讲授由冯、徐二位老师亲自担纲，结合中美数学教育之长，使用多年精心自编的教材；注重概念的理解、定理的证明、公式的推导、规范的书写。要求学生专心听课，积极思考善于推理表达；鼓励学生提出问题，参与讨论，学会复习总结。
Feng's Math 教育的终极目标，并不只是学生在数学竞赛中获得可喜可贺的奖项，更主要的是让学生通过学习，从中学到许多在学校不涉及的知识和技能，为今后的创新探索打下扎实的基础。毕竟只有那些勤于思考、持之以恒的学生才能跑得更远。