Everything begins with loving and believing in kids
Loving kids in the Math Corps means:
seeing them, in some real way, as “our kids” – feeling a strong sense of responsibility and always striving to build positive and supportive relationships with every child.
caring for them in the moment: a safe place, a good breakfast, a smile, a hug, a funny joke…
always putting them first.
sharing in their joy and sharing in their sadness.
wanting all good things for them in the future and helping them attain those things.
making each and every child feel special – for who they are, and as they are.
Believing in kids, in the Math Corps, means believing that:
every child has a unique and special greatness within them – and that, with hard work and the support of a caring family or community, that greatness can be realized.
all kids are good kids.
all kids have the capacity to grow – both in character and mind.
Math Corps' Guiding Principles
Cherish every child as unique, beautiful, and irreplaceable – celebrating individuality and always encouraging kids to be themselves.
Principle #1
Provide every child with a “second family” – strong and caring parental figures, and big “brothers” and “sisters” – where, in particular, kids care about and support each other.
Principle #2
Immerse every child in a community that is mutually caring and supportive – one that constantly promotes, as equally important, both personal achievement and social responsibility.
Principle #3
Build, maintain, and foster a culture that revolves around all people’ common humanity, where “kindness” is at its center and always the prime directive.
Principle #4
Celebrate diversity and ensure that no child is ever excluded or made to feel out of place, and that every child’s own unique identity, history, and background is honored and valued.
Principle #5
Enrich every child educationally – holding to the belief that learning occurs best through relationships.
Principle #6
Share with every child the understanding that the road to greatness passes through constant failure – and that failure is a natural and essential part of success.
Principle #7
Help every child develop his or her own courage – the courage to be themselves, the courage to do the right thing, the courage to face their fears, and the courage to fail.
Principle #8
See the mistakes that kids make as precious opportunities to teach – not as reasons to punish.
Principle #9
The Math Corps Fairness Doctrine: Care about every child equally and treat each child individually.
Principle #10
Only the best for our kids (staff, pizza, etc.)
Principle #11
Only the best from our kids – high standards and high expectations.
Principle #12
Regularly recognize and celebrate achievement and good acts.
Principle #13
Kids and adults have equal value (positions can be ordered – not people).
Principle #14
Humor is essential to every child’s well-being.
Principle #15
Empower every child with the gift of mathematics and the attributes of critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and independent thought.
Principle #16
Promote logic and reason as the basis for most good decision-making.
Principle #17
Constantly speak to the preciousness of every life and tolerate no violence or any pre-cursor to it (except in cases of self-defense that offer no alternative).
Principle #18
Provide a lifetime membership to every child who enters, guaranteeing direct support through every year of middle school and high school.
Principle #19
Every child has the ability to change the world for the better. Inspire them to do so.
