Educator Geillan Aly tackles math anxiety, promoting a compassionate approach to improve student engagement and success in mathematics.
Mathematics often causes anxiety and discomfort for many students.
However, Geillan Aly, founder of Compassionate Math, is working to change this perception.
Educators recognise that socio-emotional factors affect success in mathematics, with maths anxiety being a prominent issue.
Other factors like imposter syndrome and math identity can lead to a sense of not belonging, negatively impacting student engagement.
These challenges are often linked to race, gender, sexual identity, and class, leading to detrimental effects on society and business.
Mathematics acts as a gatekeeper, influencing college admissions and majors based on maths requirements. Many students struggle to progress through college due to these maths barriers.
Even those who graduate may face challenges in their careers, especially in management roles that require numerical understanding.
The curriculum has evolved over generations, often switching from conceptual to procedural focus without adequate support for teachers.
This situation has created a cycle of neglect, resulting in many educators passing their own maths trauma onto students.
To address these issues, Aly helps students understand their math trauma, reinforcing that math is a skill that can be learned.
She also works with educators to create better learning environments and assists professionals reclaiming their relationship with mathematics.
For those seeking to overcome their math difficulties, Aly encourages reaching out through CompassionateMath.com.
