As an elementary school educator, I have many hopes for the students in my math classroom. Mathematics is a subject that allows individuals to think outside the box in an abstract and creative way. Thinking in such a way enforces critical thinking skills as well as the ability to problem solve. As an educator, I need to guide my students in a way that enforces and enables abstract thinking, problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity. It is my job to teach my students to love math and become strong and confident math students. I want my students to be confident in their mathematical abilities both inside and outside the classroom. I will work hard to make my students feel comfortable in their problem-solving skills so that they can solve problems both math related and not. Mathematics should be taught through exploration, instead of lecturing to my school aged students. I want them to have the chance to explore mathematics through as many hands-on projects as possible. The act of hands-on activities will allow students to practice the ability to think abstractly as well as work on problem solving skills. If a student is actively involved in what they are learning, their learning experience will be enhanced. Manipulatives should be utilized in such a way that will help build conceptual understanding. If a student has a physical manipulative to work with, the student has a better chance of grasping the concept. While teaching math to my elementary school students, it is not just important that they find the right answer, but that they understand the steps and processes used to derive those correct answers. The ability to think mathematically, critically, and abstractly at a young age will be an advantage as my students leave my classroom and enter their middle school and high school years. They will be building a foundation of mathematical knowledge with me in my own classroom, but my job as an educator does not stop there. I need to make sure that my students are prepared to exercise their skills outside of my classroom and use it in their day to day lives.