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How Danica McKellar Inspires Young Girls to Succeed in Math
By Movieguide® Contributor
Danica McKellar may be best known for roles as Winnie in THE WONDER YEARS and in GAC’s THE WINTER PALACE, but what might surprise many is her hiatus from acting to studying mathematics.
“I needed to find out how I was valuable outside of [my character] Winnie Cooper,” McKellar told PEOPLE, “Math was challenging, and I did well at it.”
Although modest, the actress graduated summa cum laude in Mathematics at UCLA in 1998. McKellar is a bestselling author of books such as Kiss My Math and Math Doesn’t Suck, a series geared toward helping young girls to succeed in math.
It’s probably no surprise that she taught her 11-year-old son Draco mathematics even as a toddler.
“He likes it when I recite Pi. And I’m trying to teach him the quadratic formula; he hasn’t quite gotten it yet. It’s sung to the tune of ‘Pop Goes the Weasel,” she said regarding teaching him in those early years.
Despite her passion for math and a successful acting career, the 47-year-old will support her son in whatever career he chooses. When her son asked what she would do if he wanted to pursue a career in acting, she told him she would put him in acting classes adding, “I’m not gonna ever push you in that direction [though], because it’s a tough life.”
Her latest and 11th book Double Puppy Trouble, is aimed toward 4-to 9-year-olds to teach them about gratitude “while helping kids conquer math anxiety by training them to associate “scary” big numbers with the *happiest* thing ever – PUPPIES!!” she posted in Instagram.
McKellar has also been open about her Christian faith, as reported in Movieguide®:
Danica McKellar celebrated God’s blessings in her life in a new Instagram post.
Under a throwback photo of herself appearing on THE WONDER YEARS, McKellar wrote: “See that girl? She’s finishing the final season of The Wonder Years. She’ll worry that her best days are behind her, and has no idea the blessings that are coming her way. There will be challenges and heartache in life, sure… but God will bring so many gifts, big and small, and I’m so excited for her.”
“Some of those gifts have come in the form of getting to work with performers I’ve admired since childhood, like doing a movie with @dollyparton (!) a few years ago, and more recently, sharing the stage with @billnye on #DominoMasters!” she continued.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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