I taught for 26 years

Submitted by Diane Kloc (not verified) on April 5, 2007 - 11:58.

I taught for 26 years in a traditional mathematics classroom and for 26 years I never really knew the answer to the question "When am I ever going to use this?". Sometimes I might flip to the "Real Life" examples at the end of the chapter but the students generally could not relate to them. Then I accepted a position at the Saginaw Career Complex as an integrated mathematics instructor. I now teach the embedded mathematics in the Auto Technology, Electricity, Building Construction, Plant Science, and Graphic Arts programs. After teaching a particular math concept, the students will use that mathematics in the program lesson that the program teachers are teaching and I test how well they use the math concept in the program. We have two mathematics teachers, two ELA teachers, and a science teacher on staff to work with the program teachers to teach the embedded academic subjects. It is rare when I give a straight up paper and pencil test anymore. It is even more rare to hear the question: When am I ever going to have to use this?

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