Why “The Accidental Math Teacher” Isn’t Just a Nickname

When I tell people I’m a math educator, I usually get one of two responses: admiration… or panic. But when I tell them I became a math teacher by accident, the story gets more interesting.

I didn’t set out to be a math specialist. In fact, I started my teaching journey in a way that probably mirrors many of you reading this: saying yes to an opportunity that felt slightly out of my comfort zone. That “yes” led to something I never expected—a love for math instruction, a passion for helping educators feel more confident in their practice, and eventually, a career that’s taken me into classrooms, conferences, and school districts across the country.

“The Accidental Math Teacher” isn’t just a nickname—it’s a reminder that our paths in education aren’t always linear. Sometimes, the best work we do comes from the moments we didn’t plan for. And that’s where the magic happens.