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Non-Cognitive Skills for Student and Teacher Benefit
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As time marches on, the development of varied technologies creates shifts in the way we behave and what we can accomplish, communities across the globe become more connected and interactive, and the demand for adaptable citizens and workers intensifies. Our role as educators must also adapt.
Mathematics educators have focused on helping students develop cognitive skills such as the ability to solve complex problems, analyze data, and think critically. A deep level of discernment and thoughtful decision-making using mathematics is incredibly important for the students today who are the leaders of tomorrow.
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This deep thinking, though, needs to be paired with non-cognitive or “soft” skills for students to meet their full potential.
Soft Skills
The US Department of Labor hosts a page on their website called “Soft Skills: The Competitive Edge” and establishes that, increasingly, companies are identifying the following competencies as key to the success of young workers in the 21st century workplace:
- Networking
- Enthusiasm
- Professionalism
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
Employers seek not just problem solvers and analysts, but collaborators, empathetic leaders, and agile thinkers. These skills are useful in their own right and enhance student success with cognitive tasks. A study from the Hamilton Project found that non-cognitive skill development improves student achievement, and that teachers’ ability to increase non-cognitive skills has more effect on graduation rates than their ability to raise test scores.
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Shaping Students Beyond Their Mathematical Knowledge
What does this tell us about our role as educators? As these so called “non-cognitive” skills of communication, adaptability, and cultural and emotional intelligence matter as much as the theorems we teach, we must extend our roles past teaching students mathematical content and critical thinking to teaching mathematics in ways that also shape students into resilient, socially adept individuals.
Not only does shifting our focus to include these soft skills help students to develop leadership ability and learning ability, but doing so could also help with the teacher shortage. A recent study on the cognitive Sociology of Labor found that the strict focus on cognitive or more academic abilities in both teacher preparation programs and schools, despite demand for more intrapersonal skills, has hampered the recruitment of new teachers.
Our students and our need for more incredible teachers should create an urgent call for adaptation of how we approach teaching and learning in mathematics. A report called “Teaching: The Next Generation” states that while other professions such as nursing, law, and medicine have embraced major changes over the years, the teaching profession has failed to grow and change based on new demands or to make necessary course corrections. “This resistance to modernization dissuades high-achieving Millennials from entering the profession and pushes excellent teachers out…” say Hillman and Erickson. Excellent teachers yearn for an ecosystem that values growth, collaboration, and professional development and we need to provide that to them.
Bold Math Leaders: let’s champion change in our mathematics programs that aims for building students as critical thinkers and compassionate, communicative people. Not only will our students be better for it, but it will also help us to attract the brightest stars in teaching and retain those who ignite minds. What can you do to kindle a new way of thinking in your mathematics programs? How can you reimagine teaching and learning to include these essential skills in mathematics?
— Katey Arrington, NCSM President
Wiggan, G., Smith, D. & Watson-Vandiver, M.J. The National Teacher Shortage, Urban Education and the Cognitive Sociology of Labor. Urban Rev 53, 43–75 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-020-00565-z
US Department of Labor. Soft Skills: The Competitive Edge. Retrieved from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/publications/fact-sheets/soft-skills-the-competitive-edge
Hiller, T., & Erickson, L. (2014). Teaching: The next generation. In Third way. Retrieved from https://www.thirdway.org/report/teaching-the-next-generation.
Schanzenbach, D. W., Nunn, R., Bauer, L., Mumford, M., & Breitweiser, A. (2016). Seven factors on noncognitive skills from education to the labor market. In The hamilton project. Retrieved from https://www.hamiltonproject.org/papers/seven_facts_on_noncognitive_skills_from_education_to_the_labor_market.
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Will We See You There?
Taking place in Chicago from September 23-25, 2024, our conference invites you to focus on Breaking Barriers with Bold Mathematics Leadership. With keynotes by from Denise Forte (CEO at The Education Trust) and Brian Butler (author of Every Student Deserves a Gifted Education), major sessions from BOLD mathematics education leaders, and myriad ways to connect with each other, we know you don't want to miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and find inspiration!
Early bird pricing ends July 15! Don't miss out on the best deal to attend.
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Join the NCSM Fellows Program
Submit your application by June 30, 2024
The NCSM Fellows Program was created to further support our mission of equipping and empowering a diverse education community to engage in leadership that supports, sustains, and inspires high-quality mathematics teaching and learning.
As an NCSM Fellow, you would be paired with an NCSM Mentor to develop networking and communication opportunities, tools to create and sustain systems aligned to high-quality math teaching and learning, and the skills to continue their own personal growth.
Through this program, Fellows receive:
- FREE conference registration for 2 years
- Essential Action Series access
- One in-person leadership workshop
- Ongoing monthly support in group and 1:1 sessions
NCSM Fellows and Mentors are selected through an application process.
The application process for 2024-25 cohort closes June 30, 2024. Apply today!
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Volunteer Opportunities
Our conference is fast approaching, and we need your help to make it a success!
Volunteering is a great vehicle to network with hundreds of math ed leaders from across North America. It's easy to get involved!
Help us during the conference while getting to know many of our speakers and attendees. The dates for volunteering are September 22-25, 2024, and we've got volunteer opportunities in a variety of ways, including registration and check-in, ticket taking, serving at the NCSM table, and more.
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Journal of Mathematics Education Leadership
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Essential Actions Book Series
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Of Interest to Our Members
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The NCSM INSIDER is published monthly.
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NCSM...Where Mathematics Leaders
Go To Learn
NCSM is a mathematics education leadership organization that equips and empowers a diverse
education community to engage in leadership that supports, sustains, and inspires high quality
mathematics teaching and learning every day for each and every learner.
When you become an NCSM member, you join a network of leaders in mathematics education from around the United States, Canada, and abroad, which works to ensure every student in every classroom has access to effective mathematics teachers, relevant curricula, culturally responsive pedagogy, and current technology.
JOIN TODAY!
Visit us 24/7 at mathedleadership.org
to explore ways to actively engage with NCSM.
Insider Editor: Alison Kothe is the NCSM Marketing Chair. Please feel free to contact Alison at [email protected] with news, feedback, or suggestions.
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