The number one question I get when I tell people we want to film videos of amazing math teachers whose students have gone on to do well in life in math-based careers is: Aren't there already videos online? I used to say "Well yes, ..." then I would passionately give my experiences, some negative, having tried to use some of the free online video resources with my students and realizing that for some students, these videos were doing more harm than good.
Don't get me wrong, there are lots of math resources online and they are helping lots of people. However, there's a but. The products that currently exist, for one reason or another, do not work for all kids. We can certainly do better for these children and their parents than tell them to go figure it out via Youtube. We can actually give them the choice to see the same teachers that students who are doing well see.
Reggae Math Foundation aims to find the amazing teachers who inspire their students to learn and love math and share what they are doing in their ACTUAL classes with the world. We are not making up a new product. We are sharing a product that is already working for many students, inspiring them to feel relaxed and confident with math. We believe sharing these teachers, who love math and teaching, will help students, parent, and other teachers and we believe it should be provided free to anyone who has the desire to learn math.
We need your help to do that!
#OneLoveOneMath
Dr. Linda Bailey-McWeeney is the Executive Director of Reggae Math Foundation, an economist, and an educator. She has been an Assistant Professor at Baruch College, City University of New York and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Economics at College of Staten Island, City University of New York, and Wagner College. She has a Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University.