Building Mindsets: How Math Shapes Success

Building Mindsets: How Math Shapes Success

Alex Manihuruk – IB Math teacher

In Mathematics, there is a topic where students learn about imaginary numbers. This concept was first introduced by an Italian mathematician named Gerolamo Cardano. He was trying to solve the equation  x2=−1, which had no solution among the real numbers. What he did was at that time, he introduced that the square root number of negative one is imaginary, or  −1=i.  With this the mathematician made it possible to solve such equations. Nowadays, the once abstract concept has become very useful and it has become one of the important tools  in mathematics, science and engineering. I find the concept of how imaginary numbers connect the impossible to possible is somewhat similar to what teachers do, which is helping students discover their potential, which is like finding the ‘real’ in the abstract.”

As one of the IB Mathematics teachers in Stella Maris School Gading Serpong, I have always found joy in helping students discover the power and beauty of math. In teaching mathematics, what is important to me is the fact that it’s not just about the numbers and equations but I find that it is also one efficient way to show students how math could be useful in solving real-world problems and sparking curiosity.

Stella Maris Gading Serpong offers an IB program for diploma students and what really excites me about the IB curriculum is that it encourages critical thinking and approaching problems from creative angles. I like guiding students through concepts like calculus, algebra, numbers, trigonometry, probability, and statistics, making sure not only that they understand the “how” but also the “why.” Teachers in Stella Maris School Gading Serpong always strive to make the classroom environment supportive, where students can feel safe and confident to ask questions and make mistakes. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is observing this growth as children move from frustration to the satisfaction caused by the resolution of a tough problem.

Outside regular classrooms I also enjoy giving training for mathematics competitions. Students in Stella Maris have participated in competitions such as  SASMO, Singapore Math Challenge (SMC), and Southeast Asian Math Olympiad (SEAMO). We as a school see Math competitions as one of the ways to challenge students to think out of the box and develop problem-solving skills which they might not  be able to get during regular lessons. These training sessions usually take in solving difficult problems, discussing advanced theories, and strategizing on how to approach complex questions. It is a pride for me to be able to support them while growing in confidence and ability.

As a teacher who’s been teaching over these years I have often met students who feel that mathematics is not their strength. Rather than letting them give up, the focus has always been to encourage them to put their best effort and keep being persistent, as even when they leave school and no longer study mathematics, the skills that they learn, such as logical reasoning, problem-solving, and persistence, will always support them in whatever field they may join. Math is a lot more than just numbers; it’s about shaping a mindset that leads to success in life, and just as the imaginary number i transformed the impossible equation x2=−1 into something solvable, I believe education helps students turn their limitations into strengths.