Algebra Classes

[Anonymous]

Hi all. It is only the first week of school, but already it seems the new algebra teacher doesn’t know algebra very well. Since it is one of the most important foundational classes, can someone recommend an online or in person class near Silver Spring. FWIW he made several mistakes when teaching the kids a review lesson. Then when the kids pointed out the mistakes he watched some how to videos online and said he was never good at algebra and asked the kids to bear with him. 😂

[Anonymous]

I suggest reaching out to the math team head and the counselor ASAP. As you said, Algebra is a foundational math course for higher level math. So either the teacher would be getting better prepared to teach this class or they would be finding my kid another class. Math builds itself. Play around with English.

[Anonymous]

Yikes. Yes, you do need to contact the counselor and administrator for the grade. This is unacceptable.

We paid for very expensive Prep Matters tutors, because we live next door, they're great and it's super convenient. But there are good tutors that are less expensive! You could even start with free Khan Academy videos.

[Anonymous]

Is he a credentialed math teacher? It studied something else and there is a shortage of math teachers so they are making him teach a math class?

Or are his mistakes because he is using higher math, like a negative even square root is a complex number?

[Anonymous]

RSM is great - they are in Chevy a chase and North Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

There are many teachers all over the county who are not certified teachers, people who have never taken an education class at all. Many of those are teaching in subjects they did not study in college.

In summation - due to teaching shortages, MCPS is forced to hire many people who have a college degree that is neither in education nor in the subject they are teaching.

[Anonymous]

AoPS has free videos and free Alcumus practice problems. And a paid online class with a cheaper asynchronous option.

Khan Academy too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many teachers all over the county who are not certified teachers, people who have never taken an education class at all. Many of those are teaching in subjects they did not study in college.

In summation - due to teaching shortages, MCPS is forced to hire many people who have a college degree that is neither in education nor in the subject they are teaching.

And this "teacher" is probably better than a revolving door of random subs.

[Anonymous]

Definitely demand an explanation from the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RSM is great - they are in Chevy a chase and North Bethesda.

By North Bethesda, you mean Rockville?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely demand an explanation from the principal.

Before you go this route you better make sure the teacher is in fact making errors. Is your understanding of algebra solid enough to understand if the teacher really was making a mistake and it wasn't just a short cut or careless error.

[Anonymous]

We went through this with a teacher intern. DC was doing fine in the class so we did not go to the administration but now that DC is in higher level math we really regret it because there are huge gaps in learning due to this terrible teacher. I think you are right to be concerned and your instincts are right that you should raise the alarm now.

I'm sorry OP.

[Anonymous]

It sounds to me like they have someone without the proper certification in the position, likely due to staffing shortages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RSM is great - they are in Chevy a chase and North Bethesda.

By North Bethesda, you mean Rockville?

Is there a non-troll reason for this question?

Tuckerman Lane

https://www.mathschool.com/locations/north-bethesda

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely demand an explanation from the principal.

Before you go this route you better make sure the teacher is in fact making errors. Is your understanding of algebra solid enough to understand if the teacher really was making a mistake and it wasn't just a short cut or careless error.

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