Perspectives from Children's Books: Inspiration for AMTE

Autumn often brings new students, new excitement, and both hope and anticipation about new opportunities. However, this year is different for many of us. The excitement and hope are tempered by emotional and physical exhaustion as we manage unknowns and new challenges. Heading into such a year may be causing anxiety for you – it certainly has for me. To calm my anxiety this week, I found myself reorganizing my shelf of children’s books. As a former elementary teacher, I still collect children’s books and find inspiration from them. I thought I would share my takeaways from a few books that spoke to me both personally and in ways that are representative of my hopes for our profession and for AMTE. For each, I share a favorite quote and a synopsis of why it is on my list. I hope you find them useful to you and your students. I also invite you to share your favorite texts, movies, and songs that bring encouragement to you (these can be tailored for people of any age) through AMTE’s social media (Twitter: @AMTENews, Facebook: Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators).

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

“And all at once, in the room where no one else is quite like you, the world opens itself up a little wider to make some space for you. This is the day you begin to find the places inside your laughter and your lunches, your books, your travel, and your stories. Where every new friend has something a little like you – and something else so fabulously quite not like you at all.”

This book describes what I envision our AMTE community to be. I have learned much from many of you and continue to learn from your journeys and expertise. AMTE should be a place that celebrates our common goal of mathematics teacher education and our different experiences and perspectives that help us understand paths to improvement more holistically.

Call Me Tree/Llamame Arbol by Maya Christina Gonzalez

“All trees have roots/ All trees belong.”

This book is about community, inclusion, and acceptance. The child in the story embraces how each tree is unique and special, just like people. One thing I enjoy about our conference is the variety of presentations on so many topics. It reminds me of the complexity of mathematics teacher education and how many opportunities there are to learn and make an impact.

After the Fall by Dan Santat

“The egg who got back up and learned to fly.”

This story explores what Humpty Dumpty does after the fall. It shares how life begins after you get back up. It shares how some things could not be healed with bandages. Just as math may not always be easy, life isn’t always easy either, but growth and joy can come when we work through our productive struggles.

Thank you Omu by Oge Mora

“We are not here to ask. We are here to give.”

Omu shares her soup with so many people that she does not have any leftover for herself. However, her community comes together and brings food to thank her for her generosity. Rest and rejuvenation are critical, and we need to protect ourselves from having empty bowls. Hopefully your AMTE community is a place where you can both share your soup of talents and fill your bowl with the community you find.

Life by Cynthia Rylant

“Life is not always easy. There will probably be a stretch of wilderness.... Remember this: in every corner of the world, there is something to love. And something to protect.”

This speaks to me this fall. I feel the stress teachers, students, and their families face with never-ending decisions that are extremely complex and difficult. I want to spread the love of math and community and to protect these spaces.

It is important to acknowledge that as a nation and professional community we are facing complex issues. I am not trying to simplify the current challenges by comparing them to the children’s stories above. However, I find these big ideas help ground me in why our work is so important. I hope our community continues to:

A) recognize the beauty in our similarities and differences;

B) continue the work, even in challenging times, of advocating for mathematics teacher education and effective mathematics instruction for all;

C) share with each other and support one another when our bowls may be empty; and

D) love and protect mathematics, our students, our teachers, and each other.

In an effort to continue in our mission, AMTE has many things in store this fall. These began with a wonderful webinar in August, which is now available on our website. Thank you to our presenters, especially our K-12 partners, who shared in the webinar about returning to school in August. This fall we also have planned: an upcoming webinar about publications, an interactive opportunity for community conversations about some of the challenges we are currently facing as mathematics teacher educators, opportunities to join our first ongoing community circle affinity groups, professional development about Get the Facts Out, and a podcast in connection with Launch Years, among other opportunities. Each of these opportunities are available because of the dedication of AMTE members who serve on committees. I hope you will consider getting involved and sharing your ideas through volunteering for an AMTE committee. Now is the time to complete a volunteer form because committees for 2022 are decided at our October board meeting. All members are encouraged to submit this form for consideration. AMTE is only as strong as those willing to serve.

Best, 

Megan