Michael Serra dba Playing It Smart

I was a public HS math teacher in San Francisco from 1969 - 2001. I wrote my own geometry curriculum using familiar objects like patty paper, tennis ball cans, and string. This classroom material became the textbook "Discovering Geometry". In addition to Discovering Geometry, I wrote Mathercise, What's Wrong with This Picture, Smart Moves, Pirate Math, and Patty Paper Geometry. All of the material was tested in my classroom and used by teachers worldwide. I continue to serve as a master teacher and mentor to other teachers. I taught professional development workshops with school districts and math conferences until 2017. I teach weekly at a San Francisco elementary school. Working with the fifth-grade class is the “highlight of my week.”

I believe students learn with a greater depth of understanding when they are actively engaged in discovering concepts (inquiry learning). In today's world, the skills valued in all working environments are the ability to problem solve, express ideas, and to work as part of a team. I want my students to be engaged daily in doing mathematics and exchanging ideas in cooperative groups.

- former President of the San Francisco Mathematics Teachers Association (SFMTA) - California Finalist Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching (1997) - San Francisco Math Teacher of the Year (1996)

B.A., Mathematics, 1968, San Francisco State College Standard Secondary Teaching Credential, 1969, San Francisco State College M.S., Mathematics, 1976, College of the Holy Names California Community College Credential, 1977, College of the Holy Names CMC-N Asilomar conference every year for 40 consecutive years (except sabbatical year), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) national conferences (1989–2014).

- Speaker at NCTM and CMC conferences (1991-2016) - Mathematics and Science Conference, San Jose, Costa Rica (2002, 2006) - AMESA Conference, Durban, South Africa (June 2002) - Australian Math Teachers Association (May 2002) - Tasmanian public schools in Hobart, Tasmania (May 2002) - International Schools in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing, China (2004) - Math For America