Ms. Kristi Langen is the current Academic Director for ‘Spirit of Math, Pakistan’. She has been working with Spirit of Math in Canada for the last 10 years.
Ms. Kristi Langen is the current Academic Director for ‘Spirit of Math, Pakistan’. She has been working with Spirit of Math in Canada for the last 10 years. Kristi started off as an Assistant Teacher during high school and continued teaching while doing her Bachelor of Fine Arts. She went on to obtain her Master of Design in Digital Futures before returning back to Spirit of Math. Kristi developed her passion for education by watching her mother - Kim Langen co-founder and CEO - grow Spirit of Math over the last 25 years into over 40 campuses across North America. After completing her Masters she worked as the Eastern Regional Manager for Canada and as an education trainer at the global headquarters. She is now leading the Academics for Spirit of Math’s expansion into Pakistan, beginning with Lahore. In an exclusive interview with You! Langen shares her experiences of living in Pakistan and what ‘Spirit of Math’ is all about....
You! What made you interested in the field of teaching?
Kristi Langen: Teaching is a very creative, yet disciplined field, and therefore, when you are in this field you discover a lot about yourself and about people in general. I like to be creative and see people succeed. That’s what excites me about the field of education.
You! They say, Math cannot be understood by everyone and very few are naturally good at it. Is it true?
K. L: From my experience, Math can be understood by everyone: it depends on how you are taught and how early mathematical thinking is introduced to a child. Some people naturally think mathematically and therefore, they find Mathematics much easier. This does not mean, though, that it cannot be understood by others.
You! What role do you think a ‘dry’ subject like Math plays in one’s life?
K.L: Math is much more than just memorisation of number, facts or equations; it is not only a subject but a way of thinking. Learning math helps to develop students’ mathematical thinking or problem solving skills. Developing great problem solving skills is essential in one’s life, especially now in the 21st century where we are making decisions that will greatly impact the future.
You! What is Spirit of Math?
K.L: Spirit of Math is a Canadian-based system of after-school schools for high performing students in mathematics. Our classes run for 1.5 hours once a week. Our curriculum and teaching methods have specifically been created for high performing students by focusing on critical thinking, problem solving and cooperative group work.
You! When are you going to launch Spirit of Math in Pakistan?
K.L: Spirit of Math will be launching its classes in Lahore in August 2017 with the aim of running the classes at four different schools across the city. We have currently signed two schools. We are planning to expand to Islamabad after Lahore and other cities across Pakistan.
You! How successful your programme has been all over the world?
K.L: From the beginning Spirit of Math has produced exceptional results. Using the Spirit of Math approach, programme creator Charles Ledger’s classes produced more Canadian Junior High School Championship Teams in mathematics competitions than any other school, winning many of the mathematics competitions that they entered. But Spirit of Math is not principally a contest prep school. While winning competitions are certainly occasions to celebrate, we focus on developing skills that carry over to many areas of day to day life, and applaud our students’ successes in their day school classrooms.
You! What has been your experience of living in Pakistan so far?
K.L: I have been living in Pakistan for more than three months now and it certainly has its ups and downs! Everything moves at a much slower pace than Toronto, which also means there is a lot more time for snacks, tea and talking. There are a lot of things happening in Lahore that I never got the chance to see while living in Toronto, such as two goats on a motorcycle, babies sitting in the front seat of cars with no car seat, construction workers climbing scaffolding with only flip flops on and not tied to anything. Everyone is always helping each other out instead of worrying about bothering people or getting in their space. Overall, the culture is extremely lively and full of happy caring people which has helped me settle in quickly and make Lahore my new home.
You! Are you training local teachers to carry on ‘Spirit of Math’ programme?
K.L: All Spirit of Math Pakistan teachers will be hired locally and trained by myself and our Canadian Spirit of Math trainers who will fly in for a few weeks to conduct training.
You! What is the most important advice you can give to women?
K.L: Fight for your passion and be courageous. Make sure you always have close friends and family you can go to for support who are also women.
You! Any lessons learnt the hard way?
K.L: Always make sure to get work done early instead of procrastinating and waiting until the last minute.
You! How do you unwind?
K.L: I unwind by getting together with a couple of friends to watch a movie, play board games, going out for tea or going for hikes. I also enjoy exercising a lot and have a German shepherd puppy named Kunoso whom I take out for a walk quite often.
You! In your opinion, what are the challenges that the women of today have to face?
K.L: There are many challenges that women face today. I think the biggest challenge working women face in the 21st century is that they are expected to do everything, and do everything perfectly. They are expected to succeed in their career (one that is most likely dominated by men) while also being the one that cleans, cooks, helps kids with homework and picks them up and drops them off to school and extra-curricular activities among many other tasks.
You! When it comes to ‘Spirit of Math’, what are your future plans?
K.L: For now we are focussing on Lahore and later on we will expand to other cities across Pakistan. After that we will begin classes in other countries across Asia and the UAE.
You! What’s the best thing you like about living in Pakistan?
K.L: The weather!! Coming from Toronto, Canada, I am really enjoying the beautiful weather in Lahore. Not only do I enjoy the temperature but also the sun. During winter time in Toronto there is barely any sun. Everyone’s hospitality is also a great thing about living in Pakistan, there is always someone to meet up with for tea or someone’s house to go to for an event.
You! If given a chance, would you like to come back to Pakistan?
K.L: Fortunately for me I do not need to think about this question since I will be living here for the next couple of years. I have told all my family friends that they need to visit me and see what the real Pakistan is because it is a beautiful country with great weather, great food and exceptional people! The media does not show this country correctly at all!
