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By Olivia Cafarelli Manzi
For more than 15 years, Larry Farelli has led the Winchester Middle School Math Team, guiding students through problem-solving challenges and inspiring a love of mathematics. This year, the team has achieved remarkable success, earning accolades at both the state and national levels.
“I’ve been coaching sixth, seventh, and eighth graders for years, and it’s rewarding to see them grow,” Farelli said. “The younger students learn quickly and gain confidence to join the older groups, creating a dynamic learning environment.”
So far this academic year, the team has participated in 19 conferences, competing against local and national schools. With one month left in the season, the team is preparing for its final competition – an international showdown.
While the competitions are intense, Farelli noted that collaboration is at the heart of the team’s success.
“I keep reminding the kids that mathematics is not an individual sport,” said Farelli. “As a group, no matter what, it’s always that teamwork that creates these amazing technological advances in the world, from rocket ships to medicine. It’s all developed out of teamwork.”
Farelli has also seen a dramatic increase in student participation in recent years.
“In the past, I’ve had to add maybe 20 or 30 kids, and now there’s almost 80 of them,” said Farelli. “They’re bringing their friends in, or come alone and make new friends.”
His students are equally enthusiastic about the team’s impact. Emily Chen, an eighth-grader, said that peer collaboration is just as valuable as Farelli’s coaching.
“We learn more efficient ways to solve different problems by learning from each other,” Chen said. “You also get to meet people outside of your own grade, too.”
Seventh-grader Jacob Brenner admitted math doesn’t come easily to him, but being on the team has made a big difference.
“I’m in middle level math and I’m gonna move up, but I’m definitely not the best on the team,” said Brenner. “But I’ve learned so much. I’ve probably learned more in the math team than I’ve learned in my actual classes.”
When asked what lessons they’ll carry into high school and beyond, students said the team has taught them to trust their instincts — and to never underestimate the power of perseverance.
Farelli understands math isn’t everyone’s favorite subject, but he’s committed to helping students build confidence.
“I got into teaching math mainly because I wanted to get people over the fear of mathematics,” said Farelli. “You will learn how to do it by practicing. It’s like playing a musical instrument. If I want to learn how to play guitar and I don’t practice, I can’t play.”
As the team prepares to wrap up another successful season, Farelli encourages all interested students to give it a try.
“The worst that could happen is you get a paper cut,” said Farelli. “It’s not just me teaching, they’re all teaching and learning from each other, which is inspiring”.
Olivia Cafarelli Manzi is a student at Endicott College studying journalism. This article was produced for the Massachusetts News Service of Endicott College in partnership with Winchester News.
