Taylor Klein

Advanced Math Teacher

Taylor Klein is an Advanced Math Teacher based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has worked in the education field for over 10 years, including eight years as a middle school Advanced Math Teacher. She has a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Design and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration.

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Forum Comments (1)

What does it take to be a teacher?
I'll answer your question about enjoying being a teacher first—I love being a teacher… there's something to be said about leaving every single day knowing that you helped somebody learn something new. Even if it's not anything big, just being able to be a part of that moment in their lives and being a continuous moment in their lives, having them come back and visit and talk about how they're using the things that they've learned in class outside of my classroom and in other classrooms and life, those ideas and those concrete concepts stick with them. And then it helps me recognize that the things I'm doing in the classroom do matter and they do stick with the kids. So, it's like little things like that that make it all worth it.

And for your question about being a good teacher—I think that the most important thing in keeping students engaged in the classroom is creating an environment where they feel heard, seen, and safe. So, the social-emotional learning aspect of education is something that I feel some teachers overlook. And I have found that the most engaged students are the ones that feel comfortable in their space. That means creating an environment where the students feel like they are in control of the rules, where they help create the environment, and where it's not just a dictatorship where the teacher tells them how things will go and the students must follow it. It needs to be more democratic. It needs to be more of a peer-to-peer relationship than a teacher who's overseeing their classroom. That being said, of course, the teacher is still always in charge, but I found that when kids have ownership over the rules and the consequences and even what they're learning or how they're learning, then they are much more engaged and better behaved in the classroom.

Q&A Comments (9)

How do I graph equations?
When graphing an equation, start by ensuring the equation is in a suitable form. In the case of the slope-intercept form (Y = MX + B), recognize that B represents the Y-intercept, serving as the starting point. Plot the first point on the Y-intercept, and then determine the slope (M), where slope equals rise over run. In standard form, finding X and Y intercepts is an effective approach, achieved by creating an X-Y input-output table. Finally, for point-slope form, understand that the slope is outside the parentheses, while the points are the inverse of what's inside the parentheses, aiding in a comprehensive understanding of graphing equations.
How do you factor a number?
There are several methods for factoring a number. One approach is to identify its factor pairs, such as with the number 20, where you find pairs like 1 times 20, 2 times 10, and 4 times 5. It's important to check each prime number initially and stop when you encounter repeated factors. Another method involves prime factorization, where you break the number into its prime factors. Taking 20 as an example again, you can break it down into 4 times 5. Since 5 is prime, it is circled and left untouched, while 4 is further broken down into the prime factors 2 and 2. Once all numbers are expressed as their prime factors, the factoring process is complete.
How do I know if the two lines are parallel?
To determine the parallelism of two lines, it is necessary to calculate the slope of each line, which is defined as the ratio of the vertical change (rise) to the horizontal change (run). If the slopes of two lines are identical, then the lines are parallel.
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Co-authored Articles (19)

The Quick and Easy Guide to Multiplying Decimals

Expertly multiply decimals by whole numbers or other decimalsWhen you want to multiply any two numbers involving decimals, this process is called decimal multiplication. Multiplying decimals may look tricky, but all you ...

How to

Calculate the Area of a Parallelogram

A parallelogram is a quadrilateral, or four-sided shape, with two sets of parallel sides. Squares, rectangles, and rhombuses are special types of parallelograms, though most people think of a "slanted" rectangle, with tw...

How to

Find the Perimeter of a Rectangle

The perimeter of a rectangle is the sum total length of all of its sides. A rectangle is defined as a quadrilateral, or a geometric shape with four sides. In a rectangle, both sets of opposite sides are congruent, meanin...

How to

Divide and Multiply by Negative Numbers

Negative numbers have a value of less than zero. These numbers are found when working with the numbers on the left side of the number line. Negative numbers can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided just like pos...

How to

Make Angles in Math Using a Protractor

Using a protractor can be tricky, especially if you are using one with two sets of numbers. If you understand the concept of acute and obtuse angles, however, learning how to use a protractor is easy. It is first necessa...

Finding the Factors of a Number: A Tutorial

Learn how to factor with this simple guideA number’s factors are numbers that can be multiplied together to get the original number as a product or answer. In other words, every number is the product of multiple factor...

How to

Solve Multivariable Linear Equations in Algebra

Multivariable linear equations are equations that have two or more unknowns (generally represented by 'x' and 'y'). There are multiple ways that you can solve these equations, including elimination and substitution.

How to

Round Numbers

Rounding off numbers is an important skill to learn for mathematical equations and real life problems. Although rounded numbers are less precise than non-rounded numbers, they’re easier to work with and better for visu...

How to

Evaluate an Algebraic Expression

Evaluating an algebraic expression means to calculate the expression given a certain variable. Sometimes a problem will ask you to do this; most of the time, however, you will want to evaluate an expression to check your...

How to

Determine the Number of Divisors of an Integer

A divisor, or factor, is a number that divides evenly into a larger integer. It is easy to determine how many divisors a small integer (such as 6) has by simply listing out all the different ways you can multiply two num...

How to

Measure an Angle Using a Protractor

A protractor is a handy tool that allows you to precisely measure the number of degrees in any angle. The typical protractor is made of clear plastic and has two sets of numbers around the edge. The numbers you use depen...

How to

Graph Points on the Coordinate Plane

In order to graph points on the coordinate plane, you have to understand the organization of the coordinate plane and know what to do with those (x, y) coordinates. If you want to know how to graph points on the coordina...

How to

Round Decimals

An easy step-by-step guide on rounding decimalsNo mathematician likes working with a long, awkward string of decimals, so they will often use a technique called "rounding" (or sometimes "estimating") to make these number...

How to

Find the Mode of a Set of Numbers

Calculate the number that appears the most In statistics, the ''mode'' of a set of numbers is the '''number that appears most often in the set'''. A data set does not necessarily have to have only one mode - if two or mo...

How to

Figure out if Two Lines Are Parallel

Parallel lines are two lines in a plane that will never intersect (meaning they will continue on forever without ever touching). A key feature of parallel lines is that they have identical slopes.. 3 November 2023. The s...

How to

Teach Place Value

Place value, or the idea that the value of a digit (0-9) depends on its position in a number, is a fundamental concept in math. Because this idea comes so easily to someone who already understands it, it can be tricky to...

How to

Find the Area and Perimeter of a Rectangle

A rectangle is a plane, a quadrilateral that has 4 right angles. The sides that are parallel to each other are identical in length. If the rectangle has four equal sides, it is called a square. All squares are rectangles...

How to

Graph Linear Equations Using the Intercepts Method

There are many ways to graph a line: plugging in points, calculating the slope and y-intercept of a line, using a graphing calculator, etc. This article will teach you how to graph a line using intercepts.

How to

Teach Even and Odd Numbers

Odd and even numbers can be a little difficult for kids to grasp at first, so if you're trying to do it in the classroom or at home, be patient. Start by introducing the concept so the kids can start to see the pattern. ...