PHILOSOPHY
Safe Spaces for Learning
We understand that not everyone loves math—and that’s okay! Our content is crafted by people who’ve been there, who know what it’s like to struggle and feel frustrated with math. We design our learning environment with one simple goal: to make math approachable and enjoyable for everyone.
We create a relaxed, judgment-free space where it’s okay to make mistakes. In fact, we welcome them! Mistakes help us understand how our students think, and we love student thinking. Every idea is valuable in the learning process, and we encourage our students to share freely without fear of judgment.
We also embrace the use of any tools that help our learners succeed—whether it’s a calculator, counting on your fingers, or anything else that supports understanding. There’s no shame here in using whatever methods work best for you.
Our culture is informal and welcoming, designed to feel more like a casual living room than a classroom full of academic elites. We start with easygoing language and even slang, before we dive into the formal stuff. And above all, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Math can be weird, and we can laugh about it together!
Focus on the Whole Person
We believe that learning doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s deeply connected to who we are as whole people. We recognize that we are more than just students sitting at desks. We are individuals with many layers of beauty, complexity, and potential. Our ability to learn grows when we nurture both our academic and personal development.
We approach learning as a holistic journey. When our lives are well-rounded and balanced, we’re best equipped to face challenges and thrive academically.
Learning Happens Over Time
It’s often thought that if something has been taught, then it must be remembered. But, learning isn’t something that happens all at once—it’s a process. People don’t remember things the first time they hear them, and that’s perfectly normal. At When Math Happens, we believe in the power of repetition. We continuously revisit past concepts to reinforce learning and ensure it sticks over time.
Just like in life, learning is a journey. Our experiences shape how we see the world, and as we encounter new challenges, our perspectives shift. We apply this philosophy to math, where we build on what we know, face new challenges, and grow as learners.
We understand that learning is progressive, and that’s why we repeat and reinforce concepts. We don’t expect instant mastery. It’s all about continuous growth!
Connections, Connections, Connections!
Math isn’t isolated—it’s a web of interconnected ideas. Throughout our content, we make sure to connect new concepts to previously learned material, and to life experiences. We tie everything back to the big picture, helping students see where each lesson fits into the overall progression of math.
By understanding the “why” behind the concepts, students can build lasting connections that make math feel like a story unfolding, rather than a random collection of facts.
Big Concepts over Small Concepts
We focus on the big ideas—the concepts that form the foundation of math. Mastery of these large, interconnected ideas prepares students for high-stakes exams and future math courses. We believe that when you grasp the bigger picture, the smaller details will naturally fall into place.
We avoid breaking math down into too many isolated concepts that obscure its connected nature. Instead, we focus on helping students understand the key ideas that will serve them in the long run.
Everyone Should be Challenged
We believe that challenge is an essential part of learning. Too often, students don’t encounter problems that truly push them to think, and many personalized learning programs can unintentionally isolate students from challenges by assuming that struggling means they need remediation.
At When Math Happens, we offer access to all levels of difficulty because we believe everyone can benefit from exposure to challenging problems. It’s through facing challenges—often from different angles—that students find new ways of understanding. We don’t want to block anyone from moving ahead; sometimes, the connections we need to make come when we’re ready for a new challenge.
To keep the learning experience supportive, we offer fully worked solutions for all problems, ensuring that no one feels lost when tackling tough questions.