Author Archives: alyssafoss

Dr. Foss: What are you in for? Veteran Teacher (aka me): I think I messed up. Dr. Foss: You did. Now what? Part I: Excuses are like… well, you know. I have a confession. For too many years I allowed my white privilege and implicit biases to infiltrate my classroom and impact my students. Yes,Continue reading “Good Intentions Are Not Enough”

Dr. Foss: What are you in for today? Student: I have detention because I didn’t do my homework. Dr. Foss: Why didn’t you do your homework? Student: Because I didn’t understand it at school … how am I supposed to understand it at home by myself? Dr. Foss: You pose an excellent question. FYI: FairyContinue reading “A Math Fairy Tale”

Dr. Foss: What are you in for? Teacher: I have to teach math. Dr. Foss: Ok, so what’s the problem? Teacher: I’ve never experienced learning math in the way I’m expected to teach it. Math Rehab 101 I spent the last two weeks preparing for and presenting at professional conferences for math teachers. I tookContinue reading “An Impossible Job”

In light of the recent decision by the Supreme Court I would like to shed a little math on the subject. Disclaimer: The math in this post does not necessarily represent my personal opinions. You can’t argue with math. Therefore, don’t argue with me. * Thank you, internet for the inspiration. Part I: If oneContinue reading “Math Anatomy 101”

Dr. Foss: What are you in for Student: I need the key to this gate Dr. Foss: Oh, you mean the gate that only opens if you fit all of the ridiculous criteria and come from a place of privilege? Student: Yes! I need to get through! Can’t you see the opportunity waiting over there?Continue reading “Let me in Math, Let me in! Let me in!”

Sorry to break it to you Will but pizza boxes aren’t squares, pizzas aren’t circles, and a slice of pizza is most definitely NOT a triangle. Did you like Geometry? You probably remember it as a subject in high school but did you know that geometric concepts begin at birth? Infants begin to notice shapesContinue reading “Pizza is a Triangle (and other lies we tell children)”

Let’s take a break from math for a minute. So…I just sat and stared at the screen for a solid 8 minutes trying to figure out where to begin. Although I have a quite a few “dads” in my life that is not a title that I have used for anyone. My biological peaced outContinue reading “D+A+D = ?”

Dr. Foss: What seems to be bothering you?  Female student: Well, I want to be a (fill in the blank with pretty much any profession) but I’m just no good at math.  Only 1 out of 4 people entering a math related field (think physics, computer science, engineering, etc..) are women (Cimpian, 2020). What’s upContinue reading “Session 3: Mars ain’t got no candy bars”

Dr. Foss: Welcome to Math Rehab, what seems to be the problem? Student: I can’t answer questions fast enough. Dr. Foss: Fast enough for who? For what? Student: Hmmm… I don’t know… One more thing about learning multiplication. No need for speed.  Somewhere along the line speed became synonymous with smart. Not in other subjectsContinue reading “Session 2.5 Pump the Breaks Maverick”

Dr. Foss: What are you in for? Parent/any teacher 4th grade and up: My child/student can’t memorize their times tables. QUICK! 7 x 8 = ? What just went through your head? Did you know the answer right away? If so, how? Did you “just know it” or did you have to do some typeContinue reading “Session 2: Do you ‘know’ your times tables?”