Catalina Dvila

Dr. Akihiko Takahashi

March 16, 2015
EE 333
Assignment Eight
EE 333 Reflection
For this course I did not know what to expect. I have never really liked
math and teaching math was the only subject that scared me. On the first
day we wrote down our expectations. Our group had the following
expectations: learn effective and engaging teaching methods, learn to apply
math in a real life context, learn to read and use the Common Core State
Standards, and develop a math teacher mindset. For me, the last
expectation was the most important. I do not have any memory of how I
learned math which was one of the reasons why I thought it was going to be
difficult teaching math. As I talked to my cooperating teacher she showed
me the math book and I did not feel frightened. I did not feel frightened
because I was currently in this class that was helping me.
The first day of class I learned something was new to me. The three
levels of teaching were very interesting to me. As I learned about them I
could not help but compare them to my own math experience as a student. I
was also able to see how all the teaching I received was a level two teaching.
However, learning about these levels helped me understand how to better
create my math lessons plans. In my teaching philosophy I have always

stressed the idea of allowing students to practice and have independent

learning. Level three resignated with me and with my philosophy.
The concept of A mile wide and inch deep in mathematics was clear
to me when it was explained. Being a Latina I have read articles that say
that African Americans and Latinos struggle with mathematics at the
university/college level. I have seen that this is due to the A mile wide and
inch deep teaching strategy. The A mile wide and inch deep idea was
what hurt the African American and Latino students. This class showed and
taught me that I can be a teacher that can be someone who teaches math in
a productive and beneficial manner.
My experience at Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy was
amazing. Honestly at first I did not understand the teaching method. The
idea of covering and having the students cover only one problem in an hour
was new to me. I did not understand how this was going to benefit the first
graders as they worked through a problem which they seemed to not
understand. At Prieto I was a taught how mathematics has to be taught in a
slow process. Students do not learn mathematics that they then can apply in
one lesson or with simply numerous amounts of practice. Students truly
learn mathematics when they are able to apply what they have learned.
My experience in EE 333 was a course that was allowed me to change
my idea of how mathematics teaching had to be. I finally understood the
true definition of mathematical fluency. I was able to see how teaching

mathematics has to be a real life experience and not just numbers that do
not mean anything but numbers and equations.