MATHEMATICS isn’t just a series of numbers and calculations for Eddie Woo – it’s more like an exploration.
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The popular maths teacher, who shot to prominence after series of YouTube videos of his maths classes posted for the benefit of an ill student went viral, visited James Fallon High School in Friday to deliver one of his trademark high-energy lessons.
In his new role as leader of innovations for maths teaching in NSW public schools, Mr Woo said it was important to make every student feel valued.
“It’s great that people can watch me online, but nothing beats that human to human interaction,” he said.
“Secondly, people in regional areas do it tough – I think of teachers who have way less support than people in metropolitan areas.
“It’s not as though people mean any less, so for me it’s a statement of value – these kids deserve every opportunity, and a great mathematics learning experience just like everyone else.”
Mr Woo was named Australian Local Hero 2018 earlier this year, and said he and his wife referred to his rise as a “magic carpet ride”.
“It’s kind of like, what’s going to happen next?” he said.
“I bumped into a 70 year old woman, who said she found out about me from the Australian of the Year awards.
“She told me her mother has started watching my videos because she can’t get out and about, she felt like she never understood maths because she didn’t get to stay in school, that it was like a new lease on life for her.
“I feel immensely privileged to have that impact.”