About Me

I'm Angela Kulikowski

From struggling math student to math teacher guru, this is my journey from there to now.

As a kid, math facts were not my jam

I still remember sitting in my fourth grade class while the teacher rattled off one number after another. “Four plus 3, times 2, minus seven…” It was a competition to see who had the correct number held in their head by the time she was finished. No matter how hard I tried, I never had the right answer by the time she was done. I still remember the embarrassment and frustration over being called on and never having the right answer.  

By the time I got to high school, I had figured out all the tricks to get good grades and pass my tests in math. But this didn’t mean I UNDERSTOOD. I knew how to memorize a formula and plug in numbers, but I had NO CLUE why I was doing those things. I was just following rules, following the steps. It paid off for getting decent grades, but I was absolutely not establishing a solid math foundation.

I had grown to love math.

Later, when I went to college, I thought I would be an engineer. I had grown to love math.  Little did I realize, what I loved about math was following rules and plugging numbers into formulas. My math grades started to drop. After failing calculus and barely passing the second time (thank goodness for open notes tests!), I decided I needed to change paths. I had definitely not had a strong enough foundation for a math-based career. 

Thankfully, I also loved helping people. I craved the ability to express myself creatively in my work and to have some variety in my life. Education held everything I desired. I could do math! I could be creative! No two days would be the same! I could HELP people! It would be AMAZING! 

Then along came common core.

Our state lapped it up like so many others. I. Was. Lost.

Remember how I was so good at plugging in formulas? Yeah. That’s where it ended. I had no clue about the WHY. Well, I didn’t give up. I jumped in. I unpacked the standards with my team. I got out the manipulatives. We came up with unique and fun ways to help students understand. 

I’m pretty sure I taught several standards completely wrong for years. (sorry, kids, I swear I really was trying).

I was so lucky to have amazing teachers besides whom I could learn and grow.

Not everyone has a team like this, so that’s why I’m here.

I am here to teach you helpful, eye-opening strategies to your kids. Whether these kids are your students or your own children doesn’t matter. Know that you are in good hands. I can help provide the materials, practice, and instruction that you find baffling. 

Teacher, I have been there. I hear you, and I am here FOR you. 

Everything You Need To Succeed Is here.

We know teaching can be hard sometimes. Check out our latest posts and tips for making this school year easier. 

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