When I was in school, math was far from my favorite subject. I thrived on literature, art, and history—anything that sparked my imagination. But math? It felt like a tedious task made up of endless memorization and speed drills. The notion that there was only one correct answer and a single path to reach it seemed insurmountable to me. I managed to get decent grades, but it never felt like true learning. I was convinced that my future career would have nothing to do with math.
This perception began to shift during high school. My small private school employed a young math teacher, fresh from university, who not only excelled in mathematics but also connected with us on a personal level. He shared stories about his life, bonding over baseball with the boys and engaging the girls with tales of his upcoming wedding. He was a tall, humorous Canadian who played bass and was just a few years older than us. For the first time, math was presented in a way that felt relevant.
Over two decades later, the lessons from that teacher, Mr. Thompson, still resonate with me. While I never became a math expert, I gained a newfound appreciation for how math intertwines with my passions like art and music. His teaching humanized the subject, a gift I hadn’t realized I needed.
Recently, I encountered an article on the movement to make math more relatable, and it immediately brought Mr. Thompson to mind. Increasingly, educators are striving to transform math classes into experiences that recognize students as more than just calculators.
Sam Johnson, a high school math teacher in Brooklyn, and Lisa Patel, an instructional resource teacher in Ontario, recently organized the Virtual Conference on Humanizing Mathematics. They dedicated August to creating an online platform where educators could exchange ideas on making math a more engaging experience. Discussions included reducing the focus on speed and accuracy, allowing room for mistakes, and recognizing that math, much like writing or art, can benefit from a “rough draft” approach.
They also highlighted the importance of considering students’ diverse backgrounds and how their real-life experiences shape their understanding of math. One poignant story came from a graduate student who fled to the U.S. as a refugee. After losing her father at a young age, she found herself managing family finances, yet school math didn’t equip her for this reality. A more human-centered approach could have provided her the opportunity to discuss these challenges with her teachers and find practical applications for math in her life.
Curious about Mr. Thompson’s thoughts on this shift, I reached out to him. He graciously shared his insights on how he continues to engage students. “I strive to give my students the freedom to discover mathematics on their own before I introduce concepts,” he explained. “I want them to understand that they are part of a lineage of mathematicians, representing diverse cultures that have each contributed unique ways of thinking about numbers.”
So, how does he apply this philosophy? “I encourage students to explore math through their interests. Are they artists? Let’s delve into how math intersects with art. Athletes? We can analyze sports statistics together. If they’re passionate about social justice, I want to show them how math can help create a fairer world,” he said.
But what about younger students? How can we make math engaging for them, especially when they might not yet know their interests? I spoke with a third-grade teacher who emphasized that math doesn’t have to feel like a monotonous chore. If we explain its real-life applications early on, children can develop a genuine excitement for the subject.
“Today’s educators focus on conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization,” she noted. “Many parents are unfamiliar with these modern teaching methods, having learned through traditional approaches. The math teachers I know are committed to knowing their students and connecting math to real-world scenarios.”
To keep learning enjoyable, she creates themed days in her classroom—transforming it into an operating room, hosting a black-light math glow party, or even organizing a football-themed tailgate. Her classroom becomes a vibrant space where kids eagerly anticipate learning.
Thanks to passionate educators like Sam Johnson, Lisa Patel, and others, today’s students may have the opportunity to understand math in a way that many of us missed out on in the past. Compassionate teachers who prioritize their students’ needs can change the world. By humanizing math education, we not only enhance mathematical literacy but also alleviate the anxiety often associated with outdated teaching methods. This work is crucial.
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In summary, many educators are dedicated to making math a more relatable and enjoyable experience for students, recognizing the importance of connecting mathematical concepts to real-life situations. By humanizing math instruction, we can foster a generation that approaches the subject with curiosity and confidence.