Melinda Gann has taught mathematics at Christian-based Mississippi College for more than 30 years. Professor Gann was recently honored with the Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award and agreed to share with us some of her philosophy about teaching, which includes a considerable measure of faith.
We think you’ll find her thoughts on teaching downright inspiring.
“Each person is just a unique creation of God. Some know it and some don’t. But I know it. So, I view them as a person. What I always say is ‘I don’t teach mathematics; I teach people about mathematics.’” She knows her students are “created with purpose and for a purpose” and Dr. Gann considers it a privilege “that I get to intersect with their lives somehow.”
Math anxiety
Sometimes a student may feel doubt when facing a course dealing with higher mathematics, like calculus or trigonometry. Maybe they’ve had math issues in the past and are uneasy. “I jokingly tell them, ‘They’ve never had me’ as a teacher. “For some of them, they really are intimidated by it. But I’m confident that each one can be successful. And so, sometimes, I have to believe in them before they can believe in themselves.”
“I just tell them that I need them to trust me, that I know what I’m doing. And if they do what I tell them to, then they will be successful.” She makes it clear, “I don’t know anything about their past, so I come in with no preconceptions. If they’ve had a hard time in the past, this is their do-over, this is where they start with a clean slate, a fresh slate – and that really does seem to calm them down some.”
Dr. Gann feels rewarded as a teacher
“I think the most rewarding thing in my job is when I find the student who, for whatever reason, truly, they don’t see in themselves what I see in them. And I get to introduce them to that better self.” She adds this important thought. “I truly enjoy teaching them mathematics. I do. I love those ah-ha moments where they didn’t think they could do something, and then they did that hard thing. But my favorite part are the times in my office when the students come in and sit down and discuss life. It’s a Christian university, so one of the things I get asked about a lot of times is ‘How do I know God’s will for my life?’ or ‘Dr. Gann, would you be willing to mentor me this semester?’ or ‘Dr. Gann, would you pray with me? My mom has cancer.’ So, it’s actually getting to know these students as a person – in addition to, as a student” walking with them in this journey of life “and watching them grow and change.”
Bottom line
“It’s a unique time in [their] life and it’s just a privilege to be able to get to know these fantastic children of God!”
Professor Gann has a way of comparing the problem-solving process required in math to the problem-solving often required in life. And she knows “I could make a lot more money with a Ph.D. in math” but she teaches where she is because “I think it matters. I have the privilege to change lives one person at a time.” Hear her deep thoughts on this in our complete interview podcast just below:
