Why math teachers are like generals

In war even the most well laid plans are not built upon static elements. Things change in the heat of battle. There is randomness and numerous variables shifting. Even if all elements of a situation were to be stable and predictable there might be too many to catalog them all. Yet generals still send out scouts, use spies, pore over maps, look at numbers, assess results from skirmishes and battles. They gather as much information as possible to make appropriate plans and adjustments to those plans. They are not just passively reacting but rather proactively anticipating challenges and adjusting plans constantly.

“No battle was ever won according to plan, but no battle was ever won without one.”
–Dwight D. Eisenhower

Effective math teachers map out the year, map out units, and have ideas for lessons. Yet at the same time effective teachers constantly assess what students are learning, what math strategies they are most comfortable with and which ones they need to build, what misconceptions they have and how to help them overcome them. Lesson plans need to be adapted, Units maps need to be changed sometimes reallocating time for what the teacher realizes students are struggling with the most and less time for what the teacher learns the students already do well. Textbooks can be useful tools, but the textbook should serve the needs of the students not the students serve the needs of the textbook. Same should go for any online curriculum.

If a general took a textbook on battle and tried to follow a recipe the exact same way year after year after year I wonder how many battles they would win. They need to take into account the number of soldiers on both sides, the lay of the land, the positions, armaments, etc.

A great general cannot micro manage every soldier in the heat of battle and has to trust in their soldiers ability to struggle through and be victorious. The soldiers themselves need to make adjustments for complex or chaotic situations.