Math through the eyes of Nikki Math.

Nikki Math is a character I created in the early 2000s that teaches kids how not just to memorize formulas based on memory but inspires them to access their individual intelligence by understanding math as a foundational concept through music. This removes the common misnomer of math being “hard” and translates it all to fun, discovery, and music hooks that are too pleasant to forget. There is no forcing of any kind. Rather, it is a kind, clear, relatable approach based on pop undertones that distract from memorization and engage thought, its process, and its function to derive intrinsic learning. The result is competency in understanding that math is different from what it’s perceived to be by the masses. Math is helpful, direct, and naturally instructive, which is why we use it every day — from calculating speed in the car to making decisions to eat every day, week, and year. I relayed these common circumstances to the children by introducing them into the normal curriculum — not as a substitute for it but as an enhancement. I did this tangibly by having the two top math teachers in the top two schools I worked with (Eastside High School in Gainesville, Florida and the Ross School in East Hampton, New York). I had their students create their own music videos to interpret what they understood from the songs. I did this for algebra, algebra 2, geometry, and pre-calculus. It was a hit with the kids because…