A Teacher’s Reflection
Teaching Mathematics to Grade 12 students has always been a fascinating journey. But every once in a while, there are moments when learning goes far beyond equations, graphs, and formulas — moments when Maths becomes a way to understand life itself.
I still remember a lesson on optimization -maxima and minima. My goal was to explain how derivatives help find the best or worst values of a function. But as the discussion unfolded, I asked my students –
“How do engineers decide the most efficient design for a bridge or how a company determines the best shape for packaging?”
Suddenly, their eyes lit up. They realized that calculus was not just an academic topic – it was a real-world tool shaping designs, costs, and innovation. In that moment, Maths came alive. It wasn’t about solving an equation anymore; it was about solving real problems.
Another memorable experience came during a probability project. I encouraged students to analyze real data – from sports matches and weather predictions – to explore how probability affects decisions in everyday life. What began as a routine exercise soon turned into an engaging debate on logic, uncertainty, and even human behavior. Watching my students connect mathematics with reasoning and decision-making was deeply rewarding.
But perhaps the most meaningful lessons emerged from struggles with 3D geometry. There were moments of frustration, of repeated errors, and of near-giving-up -yet, each mistake became a lesson in resilience. I saw my students learning to persevere, to think critically, and to celebrate every small success. Maths became a quiet teacher of patience, persistence, and problem-solving.
In the end, I realized that Mathematics is more than a subject -it’s a mindset. It teaches students that every complex problem can be approached logically, that errors are not failures but pathways to understanding, and that every challenge – in Maths or in life – has a solution waiting to be discovered.
That’s when learning truly goes beyond the subject.
RUHI KHAN
