Calling teachers: why do you like teaching maths?

[DumbledoresGirl]

I know this is a cheat, but I am applying for a job teaching Maths. I started a sentence "I particularly enjoy teaching Maths because...." and my mind went blank.

Any ideas?

This is as a primary teacher, so a little different.

Maths has easy progression so obvious differentiation for the class. And very clear learning objectives/intentions for the teacher/clear targets for the children.
You can do a lot of games/puzzles in Maths/Numeracy which children like eg. mental maths quizzes.
Also, liked doing visual maths with children leading into geometry.

Can you relate it to everyday experience, they usually like that you can apply the mathematics? Good luck.

i don't teach maths but everytime i see something reported in the paper of the "shock horror 50% of people are smaller than the median" variety think that we as a society need to devote so many more resources to making sure that everybody is numerate enough to make intelligent decisions about the world.

I'm actually a science teacher, but have taught some maths. I loved it because it is an empowering subject as w&c said. And it is full of games and is fun to teach.

Thanks for those ideas. Very useful.

To prove I am not just sponging ideas off you, I was thinking the thing I like about teaching maths is the fact that there is a right answer but it is fun exploring all the different ways of getting to it.

But that doesn't sound very good in a letter of application, does it?

Oh and quirkychick, I meant to say, yes the job I am going for is primary too. It is just a part-time job. Your answer was very relevant to my application. Thank you.

It's easier to mark than anything else, but that probably doesn't look that good either.

My answer would be 'I don't' but for those who do I would have thought ' Because I love the subject, and I want to pass that love of maths onto my students. Where else in life can you find an absolute proof?', would be a reasonable start.

I'm an ex teacher now but I wrote something similar on my application and it finished along the lines of.....as a child I strugled with Maths and I enjoy teaching children it can be fun and is not to be feared. (Only it was a lot more eleoquent!)