Thank you for taking the time to learn more about what Yay Math is and what it stands for.

As several years of teaching passed, a few themes began recurring. One was that it became increasingly clear when and where my students would have difficulty within our lessons. As my colleagues know, if we tune into our students, eventually we can almost predict their questions. The next theme was that year after year, the students and I would create a positive rapport centered around the mutual goals of our studies together. That tangible energy and spirit has such genuine value, one which I felt was important to share with others in efforts to help them in their studies too. After traveling to Jamaica, the idea of videoing my classes came about. That next Monday, I brought a video camera to class, asked the students what they thought (to which they almost screamed their approval), hit record, and with the school's blessing, Yay Math went from an idea to a reality. Now four years since that day, rapidly approaching 2.5 million views on YouTube alone, media coverage in the press and in online blogs, a Facebook page that grows rapidly every week with stories of success from around the world, Yay Math gear available to viewers, and an Algebra app on iTunes, we've never looked back. The best part is that I feel that it's still just beginning. We have only begun a revolution in the way people acheive their educational and life goals.

What separates Yay Math from other programs are both the students in the videos, as well as the viewers online. The live student interaction sets this project apart from any other online tutorial out there, making it genuine and offering the feeling that anyone watching is in the room too. The students in my classes are also well aware that they are a part of something grand, so they feel compelled to participate in such a way that will benefit everyone involved. Then the viewers watch the videos... and I must say, that the response and feedback have been among the most inspiring and fulfilling experiences of my entire life. So many letters and calls have come in, sharing stories of despair turned to hope, so it is with that humility and gratitude that we continue to build this vision in the hopes of helping even more people.

A final message that I want to convey is this. The reality is that Yay Math has grown from an idea... to a movement. People create ideas. Movements however, transcend beyond the realm of singular ideas. Movements are about a shared consciousness of all people. Movements are a feeling, an urge, an inspiration to connect and selflessly spread the same benefit felt by all. Thus the message from me is: Yay Math is not about me. It's about the mother of two in her 40s going back to school and using Yay Math to help her pass the math admissions exam, after several tries. It's about the teacher who looks online for tools to accomodate the modern students' technological learning styles by showing our videos in class. It's about students everywhere who face an array of daunting obstacles yet still find ways to meet their challenges. That Yay Math benefits lives is really what the movement is all about. It's so much more than me, it's about reaching our common potential. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be in this together. Yay Math is nothing without the people.

Gratefully yours,
Robert Ahdoot
 

Here is a video encapsulating the message above...

Want to get in touch with me? Send your email to robert@yaymath.org.	To talk about ideas or even just to say "hi!" you can call or text me here: 1-888-YAY-MATH!
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