The concreteness and relevancy of these neighborhood math problems encouraged the children to pay attention to their surroundings and made homework easier and more enjoyable for them to do -- and for parents to help with or check. Plus, the insights into the childrens daily lives that I gleaned from this kind of homework helped me know them better and teach them more effectively.

It's hard to pinpoint a few priorities as an educator, because there are endless goals every teacher has for every class and even every student. If I had to name a few main priorities I have, I would say: inspiring a strong work ethic and independence in students; ensuring that students master essential skills and become very knowledgeable about the content of study; helping students to recognize their talents and power to make positive change; and encouraging a passion for learning and social justice.