Think that Math anxiety isn't a real thing? Think again! This short but very sweet discussion will focus on what math anxiety ACTUALLY is from the perspective of someone who's not only dealt with anxiety her entire life, but now deals with the anxieties of hundreds of lovely (but very stressed out!) teenagers on a daily basis. Together we will explore what math anxiety looks and feels like, how to spot anxiety from a figurative mile away, and what you can do to manage the math anxieties of others as well as any anxieties you might secretly/not-so-secretly be holding on to. We live in stressful times. Let's all do our part to make sure that math isn't the cause of yet another meltdown because quite frankly, that's the last thing our planet needs. All participants are invited to come with questions, thoughts, suggestions, and most importantly - an open mind.

Bio:

Vanessa is the founder and director of The Math Guru , a super cool boutique math & science tutoring studio in Toronto. She has her Bachelor's of Commerce, Teaching Degree, Diploma in Graphic Design and Master's in Math Education. She specializes in teenage engagement in mathematics education, with a focus on encouraging young women to pursue STEM related fields as well as reinventing media representations of females as they intersect with math. She travels globally engaging audiences with her workshop, “Imagining a World Where Kim Kardashian Loves Math,” encouraging teenagers, teachers, and EVERYONE to re-interpret and re-invent traditional stereotypes of what it means to be a “math person.” She is also a founding member of Goodnight, Sunrise, a rock n roll band where she plays the keytar and belts lead vocals. Yes, she totally wants to be a rock star, who wouldn’t? Mindy Kaling is her idol and Vanessa believes that she should be yours too.