Mathematics instruction, at its core, centers around problem solving. Teaching students to be critical thinkers who look at problems as new and exciting challenges, is a skill that is best developed during mathematics instruction. Mathematics classrooms provide ample opportunity to foster communication skills in students. Conveying an answer to a teacher or peer, communicating a thought process, and asking meaningful questions are all communication skills that will be put to use in good mathematics classrooms. These problem solving and communication skills can be generalized, and put into use every day. Good mathematics classrooms are engaging and exciting. As the teacher, it is my job to maintain a certain level of enthusiasm as I instruct. Celebrating thought processes, and being proud when persevering through problems, are great ways to demonstrate an enthusiasm for mathematics. Good mathematics instruction must be relevant and meaningful. All too often students ask “When am I going to use this in real life?” It is my job, as the teacher, to provide my students with real life contexts, in which the mathematics they are learning could be considered useful. When students see meaning in what they are learning they are more eager to become active participants in their learning. Mathematics must be accessible to every type of learner. Whether they are auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learners, the mathematics classroom must provide ways for each individual to learn and practice mathematical concepts, according to their learning style preference. Differentiating my instruction will be an important factor in my students’ success. Differentiation allows every student in the mathematics classroom to feel excited and challenged, regardless of their academic level. Allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge in multiple ways is a good method of differentiation. Demonstrating mathematical knowledge must go far beyond the usual tests and quizzes. Students can show what they know through interviews, written assignments, group projects, portfolios, or even writing and solving their own mathematical problems. Good mathematics classrooms present content in multiple ways. The integration of technology into the classroom, allows for an abundance of resources to be much more accessible. Technology like Wolfram Alpha and GeoGebra can be used to aid mathematics instruction. Familiar video games such as Minecraft have even been used to teach mathematics at the elementary level. By using the unifix-like blocks in Minecraft to create structures, students can practice using concepts such as area and perimeter. Providing multiple mediums in which students are presented with mathematics, is a good way to keep mathematics exciting. Teaching mathematics is a welcomed challenge in my professional career. Finding and implementing the best practices for teaching mathematics is an exciting demand. I look forward to the opportunity of educating the minds of our young mathematicians.