Sushma Shetty
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, May 14: Arithmophobia. Now that’s something majority of people have experienced. If you’re wondering what the word means, it’s fear of mathematics. But here’s a man who looked at it from a different angle. Because he saw math from an entirely different eye. He watched children dreading maths, or hating it. Hence he was set on doing something about it. And was determined to change people’s perspectives about maths.

Meet Tony Suares, who hails from Brahmavar in Udupi. This enthusiast from The Millennium School, Dubai won the Maths Teacher of the Year award at the Education Journal Middle East Awards held on May 3 at Grosvenor House, Dubai. He rose above several other competitors. The judges loved him for relating maths lessons to real life situations, while challenging students. Just two months prior to bagging the prestigious award, he got the best teacher award at the school he taught too.

Suares spoke exclusively to Daijiworld after being honoured with the award. Here's what he had to say.

DW: How does it feel to have bagged this award?

TS: It is exciting! This is a great award. My students always told me that I deserved to be the best teacher. This award means a lot to me.

DW: Tell us about your upbringing.

TS: I had a nice and free upbringing. Both my parents have been teachers. They are my inspiration. And teaching is my passion. As I grew, I noticed that most children had a phobia of maths. I wanted to change this. I wanted students to enjoy it and like it.

DW: Have your former teachers influenced your teaching?

TS: Yes, to some extent. Most of my high school teachers were very lively and taught well. May be that influenced my teaching style.

DW: When did you decide to become a teacher, and why did you choose this field?

TS: I actually thought I wanted to become an engineer. But I liked maths a lot. Maths is a different kind of subject, that I found challenging. I’ve always managed to do well in maths. I liked to explain it to other as well. So I chose this, and I’m happy. I wanted to make it interesting and get people to like it.

DW: What do you like most about this career?

TS: I started my career teaching physics and maths. I wanted to go all-maths- to teach maths only. I find it very interesting. I like that I can actually make students to understand concepts, get them engaged in class and help them remember methods.

DW: Tell us about your educational background and teaching experience.

TS: I did my primary education from Cosmopolitan Higher Primary (CHP) School, Uppinakote- Karnataka. Then, high school education in St Mary’s Syrian (SMS) English medium school and pre-university in SMS PU College. After this, I did my bachelor of science (BSc) in physics and maths from Milagres College. I followed this up with bachelor of education (B Ed) from TMA Pai College. I started my teaching career in SMS English medium school. Then I continued teaching in a boarding school in Madikeri before I moved to Dubai. I have been teaching here in Dubai since the past 8 years. Currently, I am 36 years old.

DW: Your teaching has received immense praise, the award is testimony. Describe your teaching style.

TS: My classes are very student-oriented. I give more opportunities to students. I give them a concept; they research on it and present it. I talk less and they talk more- they like that. I give them feedback; I give conclusions for their presentations. I clear their doubts, if they have any. They might be nervous when they first present, but gradually they become more confident and understand the concepts well. If I give them assignments, I explain it to them first. They are free to approach me for anything. Moreover, I get them interested by associating maths to real life.

DW: What do you think is a difficult aspect of teaching today?

TS: Not all students are the same. Every student is different, but everyone matters. Some are bright, while some don’t understand things easily. They might need us to do a little extra. This is the challenge.

DW: Tell us what you do when a student displays behavioural problems in your class.

TS: I believe behavioural issues arise when teaching becomes boring. When it’s interesting, they will like it and understand it. They will show no behavioural problems.

DW: They say when a student misses two math classes; he doesn’t understand much of what’s happening when he comes back to class. How do you deal with such students who miss school or miss your class a lot?

TS: Such students personally come to me. I answer their questions and clear their doubts. Most afternoons, I take extra classes for those who need to improve their grades. Those students attend these classes and learn.

DW: What are your plans for the future?

TS: I will continue teaching. If I have enough finances, I also want to start maths coaching classes in the future when I return to India- for those can’t afford to join expensive coaching centres. Maths is an important subject these days. I will teach students new and interesting methods and make them like maths.


Tony Suares says that all that he is today is because of God’s grace and his parents’ motivation. He also thanks his school for the great opportunity. He is passionate about maths. He wants all children to enjoy their maths classes, which he feels is possible only when they like the teacher and enjoy the subject.