Lybroan James - "Math is Emotional?"

In this engaging conversation, David Bryan speaks with Lybroan James, a passionate educator widely known as the 'Math Man.' They explore the importance of cultural relevance in teaching, the impact of representation in education, and the emotional aspects of learning. Lybroan shares his journey from classroom teacher to training educators, emphasizing the need for teachers to understand their students' backgrounds and adapt their teaching methods accordingly. The discussion highlights practical strategies for engaging students and the significance of motivation in the learning process. In this conversation, Lybroan James discusses the importance of teaching through understanding rather than discipline, emphasizing the 80-20 rule in education. He addresses the common mindset that some students are 'not math people' and how cultural expectations shape students' beliefs about their abilities. James advocates for a future of education that leverages technology to enhance, rather than replace, the role of teachers, while also stressing the need for higher expectations in public schools. Dynamic and engaging educator of 25 years with a proven record of generating and building relationships with administrators and stakeholders while transforming teachers' and students’ mindsets and performance in middle and high school mathematics. Lybroan’s evidence-based approach led to the school raising state math scores for African-American students by 26.4% in one year. Trained and coached mentors from 34 charter schools to support over 100 new teachers. Designed and presented teacher training nationally in support of over 38,000 teachers on issues of equity, effective instruction and social emotional learning. Demonstrating exceptional communication skills as a national presenter and speaker, addressing difficult topics and systemic challenges through courageous conversations. Adaptive and transformational leader with an ability to work collaboratively, simplify complex problems through the use of frameworks, and building consensus and buy-in through the use of storytelling. Lybroan attended UCLA where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics/Economics and a Master of Education from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Having taught for fifteen years, Lybroan saw the inequities in educational opportunities which ignited his passion to support the most underserved, disenfranchised group in public schools- young students of color. Lybroan designs and presents curricula and trains teachers on how to effectively instruct students of color for face-to-face and online environments. His company STEMulate Solutions addresses common core state standards (with an emphasis on STEM) and issues of equity, cultural competence and student engagement. He helps teachers and students engage in rigorous math development in preparation for 21st Century job opportunities. Lybroan’s methodology infuses music, humor, AI prompting and storytelling to communicate abstract concepts and problem-solving skills. Takeaways Understanding a student's culture enhances teaching effectiveness. Teachers need to relate to students' backgrounds for better engagement. Cultural relevance in curriculum is crucial for student success. Representation matters; students perform better with teachers of their own race. Teaching methods should adapt to the cultural context of students. Emotional security in teachers affects student learning outcomes. Continuously checking for understanding is essential. The 80-20 rule applies to education outcomes. Understanding math is about recognizing its presence in daily life. Cultural expectations influence students' perceptions of their abilities. There is no such thing as a 'math person'; everyone can learn math. Expectations set by teachers can significantly impact student performance. Math instruction should be rigorous yet accessible and fun. Technology should enhance the effectiveness of teachers, not replace them. Creating a safe learning environment encourages student participation. Teachers need to connect emotionally with students to foster learning. www.stemulate.org