During his many years as a math teacher (high school and college) and tutor, the Ironman heard his fair share of "I hate algebra. Why do I have take it?" whines. Even homeschoolers joined the chorus. Undaunted, the Ironman still loves all things numbers, and, because of it, our family's life has been wonderfully enriched.
Anyway, this pro-higher math column written by Mike Antonucci, the fella whose research slices and dices the teachers' unions, was the proverbial breath of fresh air for him.
Mike's piece is a brilliant, sharply-worded response to the fluffy anti-algebra essay written by Richard Cohen of the Washington Post. Note: Read Richard's column first for the full effect.
Update: The junior Spunky weighs in with encouraging words: "Algebra has taught me how to look at a problem logically and solve it. Perhaps even more valuable, it's proved that I can actually struggle for a little while, before I arrive at an answer. A painful but benefical truth that is better learned in algebra that at some point later in life when the consequences of giving up are higher."
