Dr. Matthew Beyranevand
K-12 Mathematics and Science Coordinator
Chelmsford Public Schools
About the educator
Dr. Matthew Beyranevand is the K-12 Mathematics and Science Coordinator for the Chelmsford Public Schools. Through his website MathwithMatthew.com [1], Matthew provides visitors with podcasts, music videos, educational resources, and a video blog. Matthew is currently an active user of Twitter, Facebook, Periscope, and Instagram to get his message out to help improve student interest and engagement in mathematics.
Matthew is currently in his fourth season producing and hosting his public access television show Math with Matthew and recently completed a 16-month project for a pilot television program in the style of Bill Nye the Science Guy featuring the Pythagorean theorem. Math with Matthew: The Pythagorean Project [2] has been broadcast in over thirty communities throughout New England and has won several awards. Matthew also produces and hosts Science with Matthew spotlighting the science and innovation fairs in Chelmsford, as well as Eye on PARCC [3] which familiarized the educational community with the PARCC standardized assessment.
What are some things you are really passionate about?
Matthew’s mission in mathematics education is to help students’ build conceptual understanding, while increasing their interest in learning math. One of the ways that he does this is through the creation of math music videos [4] set to popular songs using students and teachers within his district. The filming of one of his math music videos was recently featured on WBZ news [5].
In addition, Matthew has made it his mission to help end the socially accepted phrase of “I can’t do math” or “I hate math.” Everyone can learn math [6] if they have a growth mindset and not a fixed mindset.
What are some of your current projects?
In addition to making new math music videos, podcast episodes, and video blogs, Matthew is volunteering as an ambassador for With Math I Can [7] and the Global Math Project. [8]The “With Math I Can” movement asks everyone to pledge to stop saying “I’m not good at math” and approach math with a growth mindset. We will work hard to grow our math understanding, attitude, and outlook. The “Global Math Project” aims to thrill one million students, teachers, and adults with an engaging piece of mathematics during one special week in 2017; to have the reach to grow significantly each year; and to initiate a fundamental paradigm shift in how the world perceives and enjoys mathematics. ”
Who are some math educators that you admire?
The three math educators that I really admire are James Tanton [9], Sunil Singh [10], and Dan Meyer [11]. James is a pioneer in math education who is helping lead the Global Math Project. In addition, he has created the numerous free online resources including Exploding Dots [12]! Sunil is a mathematical jester, New York Times writer [13], and a very motivational speaker, who has inspired me in my own development as a math educator. Finally, Dan is truly a revolutionary educator who has given the best Ted Talk on math education and is now helping revamp curriculum and student engagement [14].