Sara Cohen questions her students to help them understand math principles and methods for future challenges in All Things Math, the math enrichment center she recently opened.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sara Cohen loves math.
She shares her enthusiasm for mathematics and its infinite applications in everyday life at All Things Math, a resource and tutoring center she recently opened in South Hills.
Her brightly colored center catches customers' eyes as they walk pass its entrance beside the Rite Aid store on Bridge Road. This isn't your typical classroom. Cohen doesn't just teach math skills -- she opens eyes.
"I want to provide resources for students, parents and teachers to explore mathematics and to share the joy I have in mathematics," she said. "I want to change the mindset that it is tedious and boring."
And hard.
Cohen's methods aim to reverse the dismissive "I can't do math" attitude that some people have. For some reason, she said, many middle school students choose to opt out of math.
"They draw the conclusion that they're not good at math and take only the classes required," she said. "They say they don't need math, but they're closing the door to future opportunities. Whatever a student chooses to pursue in life, a strong foundation in mathematics will open doors."
Her education includes bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in pure mathematics, but Cohen adapts her methods for students from pre-kindergarten to college. She'd like to catch them before they develop an "anti-math" mindset.
An ergonomic, adjustable worktable holds a striking collection of geometric pieces to form tessellations and a miniature robot to demonstrate both simple and complex math principles as well as other tools of the trade such as more mundane calculators and pencils.
"I try to make a connection and look for a fun way for them to explore mathematics," she said.
She reads young children books such as "One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale." Set in India the book features a young girl who feeds a kingdom of starving subjects with a proposal to the king who hoards rice. The king wants to reward her for a service provided, but won't part with the reasonable amount of rice she requests. She suggests he give her one grain for the first day, and double the amount each subsequent day.
It sounds like a bargain to the king, who readily agrees, not realizing that he'll have to shell out 536,870,912 grains on the 30th day. He would have known that if he'd done his math.
Older kids better relate that principle to allowances. "If you asked your parents for an allowance of $10 a day, would they give it to you? Probably not," she said. "What if you asked for a penny on the first day, then double it every day?" If they agree, they'll be in for a hefty payout."
Cohen begins her first tutoring sessions by asking students what interests them. If it's art, she points out the calculations used in many designs. Monet is said to have used geometric shapes to begin each of his impressionist paintings. Soccer players use angles to figure out where to kick the ball -- the soccer ball itself is made of hexagons and pentagons. Basketball players aim to angle the ball off the backboard and into the basket.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sara Cohen loves math.
She shares her enthusiasm for mathematics and its infinite applications in everyday life at All Things Math, a resource and tutoring center she recently opened in South Hills.
Her brightly colored center catches customers' eyes as they walk pass its entrance beside the Rite Aid store on Bridge Road. This isn't your typical classroom. Cohen doesn't just teach math skills -- she opens eyes.
"I want to provide resources for students, parents and teachers to explore mathematics and to share the joy I have in mathematics," she said. "I want to change the mindset that it is tedious and boring."
And hard.
Cohen's methods aim to reverse the dismissive "I can't do math" attitude that some people have. For some reason, she said, many middle school students choose to opt out of math.
"They draw the conclusion that they're not good at math and take only the classes required," she said. "They say they don't need math, but they're closing the door to future opportunities. Whatever a student chooses to pursue in life, a strong foundation in mathematics will open doors."
Her education includes bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in pure mathematics, but Cohen adapts her methods for students from pre-kindergarten to college. She'd like to catch them before they develop an "anti-math" mindset.
An ergonomic, adjustable worktable holds a striking collection of geometric pieces to form tessellations and a miniature robot to demonstrate both simple and complex math principles as well as other tools of the trade such as more mundane calculators and pencils.
"I try to make a connection and look for a fun way for them to explore mathematics," she said.
She reads young children books such as "One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale." Set in India the book features a young girl who feeds a kingdom of starving subjects with a proposal to the king who hoards rice. The king wants to reward her for a service provided, but won't part with the reasonable amount of rice she requests. She suggests he give her one grain for the first day, and double the amount each subsequent day.
It sounds like a bargain to the king, who readily agrees, not realizing that he'll have to shell out 536,870,912 grains on the 30th day. He would have known that if he'd done his math.
Older kids better relate that principle to allowances. "If you asked your parents for an allowance of $10 a day, would they give it to you? Probably not," she said. "What if you asked for a penny on the first day, then double it every day?" If they agree, they'll be in for a hefty payout."
Cohen begins her first tutoring sessions by asking students what interests them. If it's art, she points out the calculations used in many designs. Monet is said to have used geometric shapes to begin each of his impressionist paintings. Soccer players use angles to figure out where to kick the ball -- the soccer ball itself is made of hexagons and pentagons. Basketball players aim to angle the ball off the backboard and into the basket.
Cohen's love of mathematics has been lifelong. Her father was a civil engineer in her Denver hometown. All of her six siblings went to college. The youngest child in her family, Cohen attended Northwestern University on a swimming scholarship, where she said she applied mathematics to her swimming practices.
Before she moved to Charleston in 1998 with her husband and three daughters, she directed a National Science Foundation education project at Metropolitan State College of Denver, taught and tutored and wrote a mathematics curriculum for the Denver public school system.
Cohen continued her work there until 2001, when she took time off to concentrate on raising her children. About one week before she was scheduled to start a new teaching job in 2007, she discovered lumps below her neck. Her husband, oncologist Dr. Justin Cohen, knew there was a problem.
Her fight with Hodgkin's disease took all her time and energy until her doctor declared her disease-free the following year.
"Even after a year or two of receiving a clean bill of health, I was afraid to take a risk," she said. "Finally I thought maybe it will be OK."
With the illness behind her and her youngest daughter in college, Cohen considered her career options. She could tutor or teach at any level, of course, but she wanted a unique way to share her skills with the community.
Cohen prefers the term "coach" to tutor and caters her technique to each child's unique learning style. Students work with her using whatever textbook they use in school to best prepare them for success in the classroom.
"When students are successful in the math, it extends to their self-esteem and general performance in school," she said.
Cohen offers enrichment programs and plans to hold camps for students and parents. She's working with mothers of young children to show them how to help their pre-kindergartener understand the math all around them.
High school and middle school students who come to her learn about math problems, not just to get answers for their math homework from school. Cohen asks questions to guide students to the answers, but doesn't give them answers. Students should do most of the talking, she said. In April, she'll offer a review and practice course for advanced-placement calculus.
Individual one-hour sessions cost $55. Sessions for multiple students are available at a reduced rate. Elementary student sessions usually take a half-hour. Students are not required to commit to regularly scheduled sessions but may schedule them as needed.
She wants to change the perception that students who are tutored aren't good at math or smart enough. The opposite is usually true, she said. "These are very bright students. They enjoy talking through problems and the success that comes with working them out."
All Things Math, 1015 Bridge Road, is open from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday or by appointment. Call 304-343-6284, visit http://myallthingsmath.com or email Sco...@myAllThingsMath.com.
Reach Julie Robinson at jul...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1230.
