Celebrating a Legacy of Brilliance

As we move into a new month, I’ve been thinking a lot about joy—specifically, the kind of joy that bubbles up when students feel empowered, curious, and confident in math class. Joy doesn’t always look like cheering or confetti (though I’m not opposed to either). Sometimes it’s the quiet spark when a student realizes they can make sense of a pattern. Sometimes it’s the grin that appears when a problem that once felt impossible suddenly clicks. And sometimes it’s the overwhelming pride when a student sees someone who looks like them excelling in mathematics and life.

This month, I want to encourage you to intentionally design for joy. That might mean weaving in more math play, offering students choices in how they solve problems, or slowing down to celebrate the beauty of a clever strategy. Joy grows when students feel safe to explore, when mistakes are welcomed, and when math feels like a place where everyone belongs.

In honor of Black History Month, let’s take a moment to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Black mathematicians whose work has shaped the world of mathematics and beyond. Figures like Katherine Johnson, whose calculations were essential to NASA’s early space missions, and Benjamin Banneker, known for his astronomical predictions and almanacs, remind us that mathematical brilliance has always existed across cultures and communities. Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the first Black woman in the United States to earn a PhD in mathematics, dedicated her life to expanding access to high‑quality math education. Their achievements not only advanced science and mathematics but also opened doors for future generations of learners. Sharing these stories with students helps them see themselves reflected in the mathematical landscape and reinforces the truth that math is—and always has been—a human endeavor.

Picture Book Recommendation: Celebrating Black Joy in Math

If you’re looking for a beautiful way to bring representation and joy into your math block, consider adding The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca to your classroom library. This picture book highlights the real-life story of Raye Montague, a brilliant engineer who loved solving problems from a young age. The book is engaging, accessible, and full of inspiration—perfect for sparking conversations about perseverance, creativity, and the many ways math can shape a life. Students will see a Black heroine who uses math as a tool for dreaming big and making change.

Joy doesn’t happen by accident. It grows from the choices we make each day—how we greet students, how we respond to errors, how we celebrate thinking, and how we show that math is a place for imagination and identity. Thank you for the work you do to make math meaningful, inclusive, and joyful for every learner.

Wishing you a month full of discovery and delight!