Robert Ahdoot - One on One 101: The Art of Inspired & Effective Individualized Instruction

ONE-ON-ONE 101

ONE

-ON

ONE

The Art of Inspired & Effective
Individualized Instruction

ROBERT AHDOOT

New York

ONE-ON-ONE 101

The Art of Inspired & Effective Individualized Instruction

2016 ROBERT AHDOOT.

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To my Rs.

I can hear you playing in the next room.

Ive always believed in the concept of it takes a village to create anything of deep meaning and value. This work would not be possible without the consummately supportive communities rallying around me over the years, the members of which I must thank individually.

To the leadership of de Toledo High Schoolwhat can I say except that you gave me my wings. Without the trust, faith, and sense of partnership you instilled within me, none of my dreams would leave the ground, and none of the amazing work Yay Math has been able to achieve would ever reach fruition. The schools platform imparts to the students the merits of leadership, social action, and acts of kindness for the betterment of the world. The best part is that these ideals are not empty slogans. As a school, you not only promote the merits of creating social change to your students, but you also believe in it so much that you green-light your teachers to do the same. That proves, unequivocally, that your words and hearts are aligned. Yay Math is and will always be a universally accessible instrument of educational and social change. You recognized that, and you gave me the opportunity and tools to manifest such a high vision into reality. Words can never express my gratitude for taking a chance on me with nothing to go on during those first years.

To the students of de Toledo who partner with me to create such groundbreaking content, yay YOU! You are my perfect collaborators, serving as the voices for millions of people worldwide. Our live interaction, based on such a close relationship we have, is what gives Yay Math its incomparable soul. I only hope that our work together can serve as an example for what the synergy between a great idea and passion can coalesce into. And to my life-long friends on Team Faculty, every day you make coming to work feel like coming home. For more than a decade, I have not had that punch a time card feeling at my job, all thanks to you. Thank you to each of you who gives me wisdom, guidance, support, and most of all friendship over the years: Bruce, Ellen, Gregg, Beverley, Jaimi, Howard, Matt, Becca, Alicia, Adina, Merzak, Etan, Sina, Mark, Yonatan, Kathi, Devin, Barbara, Michelle, Iris, Darren, Suzy, Dina, Jill, Sivan, Raquel, Cammie, Tami, Bobby, Stuart, Prudence, Earl, Orit, Gabe, Roger, J.B., Tammy, Diane, Shadi, Omer, Rene, Christine, Jess, Melanie, Tsafi, Joyce, Jared, Ray, and Tony.

To the viewers of Yay Mathcan we say it one time together, YAY MATH! What a journey it has been together over the years. Yay Math is the vehicle that drives our worlds together, giving me the chance to learn about who you areyour struggles, your triumphs, and your dreams. As a whole, the reflection of humanity that I have had the chance to see through the Yay Math lens fills me with hope and invigoration about our world. Ive met people who take the same standardized test five times in the hopes of getting past it to embark on their destined careers. Ive seen students go back to school after twenty years away to manifest their goal of getting their degree. Ive come into contact with students and parents of all ages, who rise to the occasion and succeed amidst a series of roadblocks found in and out of school. Just know that ALL my work is in service to you and people like you. You honor me with the level at which you pursue your dreams, and I am overwhelmingly proud to be in your corner.

Speaking of honors, what a huge one it has been to collaborate with my editor, Dr. Roberta Cheng Wolfson. I could not envision a better person for this huge task, both on a professional level as well as on a core identity level. Are you a fellow advocate for inspired education? Yes. Do you maintain an unwavering fidelity to clear, correct, and concise writing? Yes. Do you engage your work not as a mere job, but as a way of life, making your decisions based on morality and the advancement of our society? YES. If this book were a new schoolhouse, you would be its cement. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your stellar work.

To the original Yay Math webmaster, Karen Eckstrom. You first used Yay Math to ace the math courses you needed to get your media arts degree. Then with your freshly minted degree, you personally reached out to me and offered to design, build, and maintain Yay Maths website purely as a gift of giving back. For years, you went above and beyond with your generosity, successfully delivering Yay Maths content to millions of people in a quality, fun, and easy-to-use way. Your family has become our familyour paths united always. Thank you for being Yay Maths champion from the beginning.

To my wife, Rinat. The word support pales in comparison to what you embody. Even from the days we starting dating and Yay Math videos were just beginning to take root, youd watch them despite your admitted Algebraversion. Youve been there for me through every step of this journey, fueling me with inner peace. And given how education requires constant giving, having that sense of inner peace is the ideal headspace for me to do this critical work. When my classes and the world see me cracking jokes, performing like a nut, tuning into a class of confused students, high-fiving one elated student, or consoling another in tears, the love-energy behind all of that comes from you and our family. Suh my huh.