"You have to start with Professional Development". That is a quote from a former Jamaican math teacher. In my discussions with anyone interested in speaking about math education, it is always shocking to me that the there are so many people who say things like "I know a teacher in Clarendon. All her students do well" or "There was this one teacher I had. When I had that teacher, I understood math. When I didn't have that teacher, I didn't understand math." Similarly, "students previously thought to be dunce" excelled after using this method.
How, for example, was Richard James able to get a Wayne Wright, a student with repeated math failures, to obtain a pass? (click here for that Gleaner story).
There are strategies and tactics being used with students who have not performed well in the past. These strategies are succeeding and we need to support the sharing of these activities. One way to help us share the work of successful programs through professional development of teachers in Jamaica is to contribute through our Donate page as we work to share what works. If you already shop at amazon.com, please consider switching to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-3445051 and Amazon will contribute part of qualifying purchase prices to Reggae Math Foundation AT NO COST TO YOU! You can register at any time and amazon.com will remind you to switch to smile.amazon.com when you are ready to make a purchase.
Dr. Linda Bailey-McWeeney is the Executive Director of Reggae Math Foundation, an economist, and an educator. She is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Economics at College of Staten Island, City University of New York and has been an Assistant Professor at Baruch College, City University of New York, Yeshiva University, and Wagner College. She has a Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University.