In the last day of 2014, the news contains some bizarre stories. I never mention my views on this type of story because I'd rather concentrate on uplifting thoughts or problems that require our consideration. But here are a few headlines from BBC News.
- A cargo ship said to be carrying 700 clandestine migrants was taken under Italian control.
- Young people are currently being groomed in "every town" in Britain, according to a charity.
- US woman killed by two-year-old son.
- Eight dead in Canadian 'mass murder'.
- First Scots same-sex weddings held.
- UK Airport Ebola testing 'shambles'.
- China's factory activity shrinks.
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But here's a story that reinstates our belief in the goodness of humanity. It's about a special man who runs free maths classes for primary age children. Mr Bright is a chemistry graduate and taught for many years before he and his wife arrived in the UK from Nigeria in 1990.
Teaching is his life—his passion. After working with his own three children, he had the satisfaction of seeing them gain GCSE maths while in primary school. The couple realized other parents might struggle in a similar way with their children's maths problems, so they set up their first club to help different families.
Just like his surname, Mr. Bright has been running the Bright Academy maths clubs for primary age children in London and Essex for 20 years. He and his wife don't charge for their assistance to children from the age of seven, believing he should plow back into the community the benefits given to him.
Teaching is his life—his passion. After working with his own three children, he had the satisfaction of seeing them gain GCSE maths while in primary school. The couple realized other parents might struggle in a similar way with their children's maths problems, so they set up their first club to help different families.
Just like his surname, Mr. Bright has been running the Bright Academy maths clubs for primary age children in London and Essex for 20 years. He and his wife don't charge for their assistance to children from the age of seven, believing he should plow back into the community the benefits given to him.
en.wikipedia.org Of the 500 or so children who have taken the classes, about 50 gained their GCSE while still at primary school. Regardless of background, social or religious, the children are taught in an atmosphere of fun. The couple think of every child as gifted and present them with debates so each pupil can develop speaking skills. The aim is to encourage the children to aim to be the best in every field rather than focus on mathematics, to remove their distractions, and to give them a positive influence instead.
For his services to children, Mr. Bright has been recognized in the New Year's Honour's list with an MBE (Member of the most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to education in East London. See full BBC article.
I wish I'd had a Mr. Bright in my life as a youngster. I did well at literature and art, but maths never interested me. I can't say it was too hard, but rather that I didn't want to learn about numbers. I couldn't see the benefit. I'm lucky enough to be able to guess at approximate figures, without knowing how I arrived at the answer—I guess the left and right sides of my brain combine.
Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if we all gave our best to the community like Mr. Bright?
For his services to children, Mr. Bright has been recognized in the New Year's Honour's list with an MBE (Member of the most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to education in East London. See full BBC article.
I wish I'd had a Mr. Bright in my life as a youngster. I did well at literature and art, but maths never interested me. I can't say it was too hard, but rather that I didn't want to learn about numbers. I couldn't see the benefit. I'm lucky enough to be able to guess at approximate figures, without knowing how I arrived at the answer—I guess the left and right sides of my brain combine.
Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if we all gave our best to the community like Mr. Bright?
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