From Math to Gardening: Embracing Curiosity with Vireo Education – A Word from Sunil Singh
About a month ago, I made the tough but correct decision to leave institutionalized mathematics education. The depreciation of focus on content, leading to more impoverished student experiences, became incompatible with my philosophy of learning mathematics.
Goodbye, colorless mathematics education. Hello, green Vireo Education.
This is where I landed. In a literal garden of promise, hope, and wellness–to urgently heal students suffering from a world of indifference to their own curiosity and imaginations.
When I was in fourth grade, I remember planting my own bean plant. Everyday I would be excited to see how my plant was doing. Naturally, it was doing much. But, I was fixated on finding the smallest change to know that my basic caretaking skills were being rewarded with nature’s way. For those of you from my generation, the band Spirit wrote a song called “Nature’s Way” in 1968 about warning about nature dying. Of course, as a 10 year-old I was unaware of that song, or the larger stakes involving nature and climate. I just wanted to know that my bean plant was doing fine. But why? My mother planted a garden in our backyard soon as we moved into our first house in 1972. But, this was my own plant. I was its caretaker. The reflex to be curious about its growth was organic.
Curiosity and mental health. That is all that I have been championing in the space of mathematics education the last few years. Unfortunately, nothing has grown. Everyday I have looked for signs that some movement was happening to prioritize and plant these ideas in teaching and learning mathematics. Soil. Without good soil, all the efforts to grow a plant will fail.
The soil in mathematics education is parched to support curiosity, awe, joy, wonder, and excitement. Students are having impoverished experiences. Their growth as dabblers and doers of mathematics that invigorates them has been stunted. But, this is historical. Where do you think math alienation and anxiety come from? Math education. It’s no longer student-centered with student-focused content.
Mathematics education is where curiosity and mental health are going to die.
And, so was I.
That is why I chose to come to Vireo Education. It was natural. Their mission and values are perfectly aligned to mine–especially around mental health and curiosity. Look at the picture opposite. For a second, imagine that basil plant is mathematics. Yes, students collaborate in math education. But, do they smile and feel energized because of the actual mathematics they are holding? Are they mathematics with relaxed bodies and minds? Are they excited about sharing their discoveries with a broader community outside the classrooms?
I joined Vireo Education because the answer to those questions is a loud and proud “yes”.
The learning benefits and potential of having a classroom garden go far beyond what my own memories of having a personal plant to be a caregiver for was. This is the foundation of interdisciplinary learning. Biology, geography, food and nutrition, economics, community outreach, and yes, mathematics.
This is the foundation of learning that taps into the creativity and imagination of students, and helps them become advocates of not just their own learning, but that of their own communities.
Eventually, fully understanding that the community really means to be advocates for the larger global one. Student voice on this scale is a mission statement that aligns with my deepest beliefs about mathematics.
Vireo Education. This is where I will begin to learn and grow again. It is no coincidence that I am back working with my dear friend, Luc Goudreault, who is the Friendly CEO of the company. Luc and I worked–played for 5 years at Scolab, promoting math history and the benefits of students being excited about the story of mathematics.
Something really special is being built here. I am fortunate to be here. There is so much to learn and share about growing a school garden.
I encourage you to reach out to me in this next growth phase of my life!
Cheers,
Sunil Singh, Interdisciplinary Educator
Interested in learning more about the Vireo project to bring nature into your school?
We will be happy to explain how this educational tool promotes the well-being and educational success of children and young people.
