JPereyra

About JPereyra: Hello,

I am JPereyra, if you can spare the time to read the following paragraphs I know you'll learn something about me and perhaps, more importantly, something valuable about yourself - that regarding a creative learning, you can do it yourself.

As a teenager, I studied mathematics constantly. With each lesson revised you get a little better and it gets a little easier. You learn to learn it by yourself. After thousands of problems solved, it actually becomes quite easy to use mathematics as a means of understanding real life and take important decisions. When you learn to communicate by mathematical symbols, others (who have not learned) will tell you have "talent". I don't really believe in such "talent". I believe those who haven't developed the skills defensively use it as an excuse, claiming they have no talent. Others, who feel talented, use it has a way of setting themselves apart from others - "I'm better than you because I'm more talented".

My views on talent were shaped by the experience of attending Architectural school. I believed I had talent. As a freshman, I was really surprised that many of my classmates weren't able to draw. I was surprised by their lack of talent; gasp, some could barely manage to draw stick people! However by the time we graduated everyone could draw. Along the way those stick people gave way to beautiful and creative architectural renderings. Certainly some could draw better than others, but all learned to effectively express themselves through drawing. From this I learned that all of us have the facility within us to learn mathematics and make good drawings.

Mathematics and Drawing, of course, is just two ways to express your creativity. All of us are creative beings. I believe that when we act creatively our lives are enriched.

Unfortunately, it is possible to live our lives devoid of much creativity. Our lives are far richer when our brains crackle with the sparks of creative thoughts. Working as an architectural designer and mathematics teacher, I've found the more we "exercise" our creativity, the more creative we become. Creativity feeds on itself. When you regularly act creatively, whether it's playing with your children or thinking of how you'll spend future lottery winnings, your life becomes a series of opportunities in which you can express yourself creatively. I believe you're better for it.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts. I hope I don't come across too preachy. If I do, my hope is that you'll forgive me; it's probably in my blood.

With that thought, I invite you to write me with any criticism, comments, or ideas, you think might help me or this site. And lastly, remember that you can learn mathematics by yourself.