At a ten year reunion a class looks back on their high schools and reminisces about the teachers they once had. Many come to mind but one in particular stood out; Mr. Snaith.
One person piped up and said how he always got excited about what he was teaching and how he loved math so much he wanted to marry it. What was up with that!? Another responded and said that she was so enthralled by his devotion to teaching such an intricate course that she studied to be a teacher. She said that he brought out the best in students and always showed respect. Mr. Snaith also helped students realize that math was not just some course where calculation after calculation was made but rather a course where questions could be ansewered with questions which provoked thinking. it was a time in the day where students didn't have to worry about who was the best or who was the worst in math. It didn't matter. Everyone was treated equal.
During the period there was a 99% chance that Mr. Snaith encouraged silence and thinking to such extent that when the time came comments and answers sparked great new thinking and the class usually realized they had surprisingly answered Mr. Snaith's question. Smiles would be exchanged between students and the typical, "I know right, I didn't even realize it either" quotes would be shot around the room which gave the impression that a bunch of friends were sitting around a campfire.
Another "student" added that they always felt that he made them think harder than any other teacher without them realizing. But in fact it wasn't that they "thought harder" but more so they felt comfortable to share ideas and thoughts in his classroom. They always felt trusted, respected, and worthwhile in Mr. Snaith's class.
The conversation slowly turned to the content that Mr. Snaith covered and he presented it with such inquiry. He always described math as a thinking course where calculations came second and inquiry came first.
After much conversation that consumed most of the evening the classmates decided that Mr. Snaith's jokes were above the worst but why did students always laugh at them.
During the period there was a 99% chance that Mr. Snaith encouraged silence and thinking to such extent that when the time came comments and answers sparked great new thinking and the class usually realized they had surprisingly answered Mr. Snaith's question. Smiles would be exchanged between students and the typical, "I know right, I didn't even realize it either" quotes would be shot around the room which gave the impression that a bunch of friends were sitting around a campfire.
Another "student" added that they always felt that he made them think harder than any other teacher without them realizing. But in fact it wasn't that they "thought harder" but more so they felt comfortable to share ideas and thoughts in his classroom. They always felt trusted, respected, and worthwhile in Mr. Snaith's class.
The conversation slowly turned to the content that Mr. Snaith covered and he presented it with such inquiry. He always described math as a thinking course where calculations came second and inquiry came first.
After much conversation that consumed most of the evening the classmates decided that Mr. Snaith's jokes were above the worst but why did students always laugh at them.
Thankds - inspiring.
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