Today I observed Isabella working with Vas, a Year 12 student, on annuities in mathematics. The lesson was extremely well structured and highlighted Isabella’s ability to simplify difficult financial maths concepts in a clear and approachable way.

Isabella began by breaking down the formula and terminology involved in annuities before attempting any questions. She carefully explained concepts such as interest rates, repayments, and future value, ensuring Vas understood the meaning behind the formulas rather than simply memorising them. This helped create a strong foundation before moving into more complex calculations.

One of the standout aspects of the lesson was Isabella’s pacing. Financial mathematics can be overwhelming for students due to the amount of information within each question, however Isabella worked through each example slowly and methodically. She showed every step clearly on the board and regularly paused to check for understanding before continuing.

Isabella also encouraged Vas to actively participate throughout the lesson. Rather than completing the questions for her, she asked guiding questions that prompted Vas to identify which values to substitute into the formula and what each number represented within the context of the problem. This helped develop both understanding and confidence.

Another strength was Isabella’s ability to connect the topic to real life situations. By discussing how annuities relate to loans and repayments, she made the content feel more relevant and practical, which helped increase engagement.

Throughout the session, Isabella created a calm and supportive environment where Vas felt comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. Her patience and clarity allowed difficult concepts to feel manageable.

Demetria Koutavas