#49: Faster Isn't Smarter by Cathy L. Seeley

The complete title of this book is Faster Isn't Smarter: Messages About Math, Teaching, and Learning in the 21st Century.  I was asked to read this book as part of my new job within HCPS (Elementary Math Teacher in Residence) and reading this book has validated so many of my personal educational beliefs and philosohies.  I wish that every parent with a child in the public school system throughout the US would read this book.  It just might change how parents "teach" their pre-schooler and change their expectations for their school-age children.  Sadly, though, it might make you want to move out of the US to one of those other countires who seem to have a better grasp on public education.

To give you some background, Cathy Seeley was the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics president (NCTM) and while she was president she wrote a series of President's Messages.  This book contains many (maybe all, I am not certain) of those messages that were printed for NCTM's members.  It is so nice to have them all in one book and organized by theme/topic.  Better than that is the fact that each message is roughly 2-4 pages long.  So, you can read one and feel as though you've learned something or you can read and entire section and feel overwhelmed!  Seriously, I liked that each message was short and to the point and I could read one quickly and move on with my day. 

For those of you who happen to be interested, here are the titles of some of my favorite messages.  This will give you an idea of what Seeley's messages are about:
#1: Math for a Flattening World (the idea of a "flat" world is eye opening)
#6: "Teach Harder!" Isn't the Answer
#10: It's Not Just About Math and Reading
#15: Less Can Be More (that one was my fave!)
#32: Yes, but...(or...Believing in every student)

I just can't say enough good things about this book, one that clearly I was reading for work and not for "pleasure" but I did enjoy it.  It wasn't like the typical books we have to read for work/school that are dull and boring.  Cathy Seeley is entertaining and has valid points that anyone in the education field, or anyone with school-aged children, should consider. 

To me, the title says it all.  Faster isn't smarter.  Anyone who has ever worked with a child in any capacity knows that.  But, I wonder what the creators of Kumon would say to Cathy Seeley about that?  I'd like to be a fly on the wall during that conversation!