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EXUPERY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

+371 266 22 333

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+371 266 22 333

Christopher Ody

IB Mathematics and Computer Science Teacher at EIS

Meet our Superheroes

By Marianna Hodash
Photographed by Sergey Skopintsev. The publication also includes photographs from a personal archive.

September 27, 2024

At Exupery International School, we believe that teaching is one of this planet's most complex and important jobs. Teaching is lifelong learning. It involves compassion, curiosity, and a sense of humor while being trustworthy, caring, intelligent, and disciplined. That is why we think our teachers are superheroes, and want to introduce you to them through the "Meet Our Superheroes" series of interviews.

Meet Christopher Ody, our enthusiastic IB Mathematics and Computer Science Teacher from Brazil. With a background in both teaching and technology, Christopher has a knack for making math and data come alive in the classroom. His love for coding, especially when it involves working with geospatial data, helps him bring a fresh, modern approach to teaching.

Christopher is all about helping students see the real-world value of math. Whether he is introducing them to the power of statistics or showing how AI models can be applied to everyday problems, his goal is to make learning both practical and inspiring. He believes that developing skills in math and data is key to preparing students for the future.

Outside of teaching, Christopher enjoys traveling with his family, and is deeply involved in shaping the Exupery community, contributing to processes that foster creativity, resilience, and responsibility in his students.

— Please share your overall work experience and how long you have worked as a teacher.

— My experience as a teacher has been a fulfilling journey, fueled by meaningful connections with my students. For the past 7 years, I have dedicated myself to nurturing young minds, promoting a love for learning, and guiding students toward their full potential.

$eis ib mathematics and computer science teacher$

— Please share your overall work experience and how long you have worked as a teacher.

— My experience as a teacher has been a fulfilling journey, fueled by meaningful connections with my students. For the past 7 years, I have dedicated myself to nurturing young minds, promoting a love for learning, and guiding students toward their full potential.

$eis ib mathematics, computer science teacher$

— What motivated you to choose this particular subject to teach?

— I chose to teach ICT/Math, especially Statistics, because I truly love the subject. For me, Statistics is not just about numbers — it is about understanding the world better through data. I am excited to share this passion with my students and help them see how useful mathematics can be for making real-life decisions and solving problems.

— Do you agree with the saying that Math is the purest form of language?

— That is a great statement to make us think! On the one hand, math can be seen as a universal language. It is understood across cultures. Additionally, math is precise and unambiguous. It operates within strict rules and symbols that leave little room for misinterpretation, unlike natural languages, which often have words or phrases with multiple meanings. I would summarize that the logical structure of mathematics, with its proofs and derivations, mirrors the grammatical and syntactical rules of language, but with far more clarity.

However, math lacks the ability to express emotions, cultural nuances, or subjective experiences — elements that are fundamental to human beings! It is also limited in scope for everyday interactions, as it cannot easily express the complexity of personal relationships, feelings, or social context.

— How do you see the role of math in understanding the world, and what would you say to those who think school math isn’t often useful in real life?

— It is easy to conclude that you can start with any topic and apply math to it. In the 21st century, 'literacy' goes beyond just reading and writing. From my perspective as a statistician, true progress happens when we guide every learner toward data and statistical literacy. This is crucial in preparing a generation that will be fully immersed in a world shaped by potentially biased AI answers. This need extends to all fields, and despite what some may say, the world is now more mathematical than ever before. Therefore, the fundamental principles of math and statistics taught in school are essential for preparing future professionals, regardless of their field, as these principles have practical applications in everyday life today and even more so in the future.

— When was the last time you needed to solve a complex equation with many unknowns or extract a square root for a practical reason?

— This question could catch someone off guard! However, since one of my hobbies is programming math, I perform such tasks almost routinely, especially when I have to model functions using polynomial expansions. In fact, not just square roots, but cubic and even higher-order roots. Fortunately, I can rely on technology to calculate them!

exupery international school math teacher christopher ody

— And what led you to move to Latvia, and why did you choose Exupery International School as your workplace?

— I enjoy working in schools that strive for innovation and offer the space for me to develop my work with appropriate freedom. At Exupery, I found this environment and have been able to contribute through my teaching experience. Being a relatively new school, I know many processes are still in development, and I particularly enjoy getting involved and contributing to the development of these processes. From Exupery's mission, I have learned a lot about the UDL framework and how it impacts all learners in the classroom.

— From your perspective, what is the most essential aspect of your work?

— The most essential aspect of my work is guiding students to become responsible citizens. My goal is to nurture skills and values that go beyond the classroom. By promoting creativity, resilience, and responsibility, I aim to equip students with the tools they need to overcome challenges and contribute positively to society.

— What specific tools or strategies do you use to nurture these qualities in your students?

— I usually apply data analysis methods and discussions about real situations in my classes. I also believe that practicing on paper is important for developing logical thinking in mathematical methods and skills. That is why, whenever possible, I bring in current topics to apply the tools we study. This helps students think critically about how to approach data and exam questions.

— What does global thinking mean to you personally? Can you share some examples of what that looks like in practice?

— When I reflect on global thinking, I understand that it goes beyond the concept of global citizenship, which might be confusing. Developing global thinking means seeing beyond your own cultural and social scope. It involves understanding differences and solving problems from a global perspective, being aware of the interconnections and challenges our world faces in key areas like climate, the economy, and geopolitics. It also means looking for solutions that respect multicultural spaces and defend and respect everyone's freedom and rights.

— What challenges do you encounter in your role as a teacher?

— One of the biggest challenges I face as a teacher is keeping up with technology and finding the best ways to teach 21st-century students. Technology is always changing, and it is important to use it in a way that helps students learn and develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, every student learns differently, so I need to find various teaching methods that work for everyone. It is a big task, but it is crucial to ensure students are prepared for the future.

— What challenges do you encounter in your role as a teacher?

— One of the biggest challenges I face as a teacher is keeping up with technology and finding the best ways to teach 21st-century students. Technology is always changing, and it is important to use it in a way that helps students learn and develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, every student learns differently, so I need to find various teaching methods that work for everyone. It is a big task, but it is crucial to ensure students are prepared for the future.

— Beyond teaching, what are your hobbies, and how do you spend your free time?

— Outside of teaching, one of my favorite hobbies is coding mathematics, particularly working with geospatial data. I enjoy exploring mathematical concepts through programming and applying them to analyze geographical information. In my free time, I am often engaged in coding projects, experimenting with algorithms, and creating visualizations to better understand the world around us.

— Could you share your biggest dreams or aspirations with us?

— My biggest dream is to become an expert in teaching and training professionals in data science for the classroom while utilizing AI models to enhance learning. I aspire to integrate cutting-edge technology and innovative teaching methods to empower students (and teachers!) with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world. By harnessing the power of data science and AI, I aim to improve the educational experience, making learning more engaging, personalized, and effective for every student.

— Lastly, what would be your advice to an aspiring teacher?

— There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for the diverse field of teaching. But I offer this piece of advice: "The challenges are great, but they’re only meaningful if the reward is worth it".

exupery school teacher christopher ody in latvia

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