SNAP Math Fair

I’d absolutely love to organize the SNAP Math Fair. However, I’m not sure if I can organize it during my extended practicum, as surviving the long practicum is a challenge on its own, I think.

Nevertheless, once I officially become an educator/teacher, I’ll definitely incorporate such activities/fairs into my teaching. I have a few ideas that are discussed below.

One of the ideas is to get two schools involved in the Fair. It can either mean that students from both schools present/display the problems the same day one after the other or collaboratively, or it can be broken down into two days, i.e. students from school A display their problems and are the hosts, whereas the students from school B are the guests and they come and solve the problem and vice versa. The both streams have pros and cons. For instance, having students from 2 schools at one place requires more space/organization, etc. On the other hand, having 2 schools work on it collaboratively can help strengthen connections between educators and students, hence the community.

Another challenge could be convincing other Math teachers or principal/administration to organize the Math Fair in the first place. For this to work out, we can’t afford to leave gaps and have to be on top of things in terms of organization and preparatory work required for the fair.

Response to BattleGround Schools: Mathematics Education

This article was able to put things into perspective for me. I was aware of different approaches and varying attitudes towards teaching and learning Mathematics, but the dichotomies: the Conservative and the Progressive helped me categorize and structure the diversity that exists around teaching and learning Mathematics. This will of course affect almost all Math teachers. Some of us will fall under the umbrella of the conservative approach, while others will lean towards the progressive way, and some of us will be blending one into the other.

One of the titles ‘The New Math’ caught my attention. I found it intriguing that the mathematics education became the focus of national anxieties in the United States in the 1960’s. It’s very interesting to see the initiation of this new Math movement and the associated challenges for both Math teachers and parents. I can only imagine the stress and anxiety the students, the teachers, along with the parents went through.

Likewise, the title ‘Math Wars over the NCTM Standards’ and the content under it reminds me of what one of my instructors in this programs said, i.e. ‘schools are a political system’. It will be naive to not consider the politics and the national interests involved that directly or indirectly impact our education system.

Lastly, we, as educators and Math teachers, should be ready and are expected to teach what we think we’re not comfortable teaching. We should be ready to embrace these challenges as learning opportunities and risk-taking experiences.

Microteaching 1 Reflection

Teaching Henna Tatoo was a great experience, it generally went well. However, comments/feedback from my colleagues allowed me to focus my attention on the aspects that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. For instance, one of the comments from one of my colleagues reads as the following:

“Overall the performance is very good but if you could help the students make the mehndi with us.”

On a side note, mehndi is another word for Henna which is widely used in countries like Pakistan and India. The above comment is a great suggestion and a deep observation.

My initial plan was to have the students see/observe me designing henna before asking them to try it. However, I changed my plan on the fly for time restrains. Also, I now realized that I could have the students watch a mini video/lesson on designing henna before asking them to try it.

Similarly, I noticed I’m given a ‘2’ on assessment aspect of the lesson planning by almost all of the teammates. It’s an indication that I need to work on that.

Likewise, one of the other comments reads:

“It would have been nice to see real example of Mehndi being used on people’s skin.”

Absolutely, I agree with the above! I hesitated to allow the students design henna on their hands for safety reasons, as it comes with chemicals that may be reactive for certain skin types. In the future, it could be made possible by ensuring that the containing chemicals are not reactive and asking students if they sensitive skin.

Microteaching 1 - Henna Tatoo

Giant Soup Can Problem

Imaginary Email II

Nov 13, 2025

Dear Ms. Javed,

I hope this email finds you in the best state of health. I just graduated from the Masters of Applied Math program. Allow me to introduce myself in case you don’t recall, I’m Jane Witson from the very first Science 10 class you taught. I was also in your Math 11 Honours and Math 12/AP Calculus class. Additionally, I was part of the team for Kwantlen Science Challenge that you lead in 2019.

I’m writing this email to say both sorry and thank you. I want to say sorry for having to judge you based on what I’ve now learn to call and consider stereotypes. I’m not sure if you ever noticed, but I didn’t like you for who you are initially. However, after having spent more than three semesters in your class, you became my favorite teacher and someone I respect a lot.

Also, I’m a regular reader of your blogs. I hope we can publish something together.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Jane Witson

RESPONSE TO THE EMAIL

Hi Jane,

Yes, I remember you of course. I'm happy to find out you're on your way becoming a successsful and inspring mathematician. Don't be sorry, being judgemental is also being human.

Thanks for the taking the time to read my blogs. Yes, absoutely, I look forward to seeing some of your writings and that which you would like get published.

Take care,
Iqra Javed

Imaginary Email 1

Dec 15, 2025

Dear Ms. Javed,

Hope you’re as lively and positive as you’ve always been. I’m Aneela Jan from your Math 12, 2023 class. Firstly, I wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday. I found out it’s your birthday, so thought I’d take the opportunity to wish you and congratulate you for your success as an educator and a Math teacher.

Secondly, I wanted to thank you for being an amazing role model for me and other students. Aside from teaching Math, you taught us how to embrace challenges in life, and how to be positive in the most negative situations. I’ve always been a huge fan of your optimism!

Also, I still remember your risk-taking analogy that you would use to solve a Math problem/puzzle, and I use it on daily basis.

Lastly, you’d be happy to know that I’m currently majoring in Math with the combined Bachelor of Science and Education program at UBC. I choose to become a teacher so I can make a difference in other people’s lives just like you made in mine.

I hope I can come see you sometime if you’re still working at the same school.

Sincerely,

Aneela Jan

RESONSE TO THE EMAIL

Hi Aneela,

Your email made my day. I'm glad to know I was able to make a differene in your life. I wish you success in your current program and all you future endeavours.

Take care,
Iqra Javed