Ex-engineer's mathematics add up

Riverview man writes textbooks to give kids 'a better way' to learn

Steve Pardo / The Detroit News

Riverview -- Tired of seeing his sons struggle in math, Nicholas Aggor decided there had to be another approach to learning.

He analyzed a math textbook, causing the engineer-by-trade to rewrite it himself. His desire to help his own sons became a quest to help students everywhere. He quit his job and threw himself into textbook writing. Six years later, he's the author of 10 math books that have been adopted by school districts and used by parents and tutors in several states.

"The goal now really is to spread the news that there is a better way," said Aggor, 51, of Riverview. "When students are given effective math textbooks, they can excel. No student is unsalvageable and that there are gifted learners even among the poorest-performing students."

In the beginning, he gave away the books, copying them himself. Now he's looking to raise his profile. This year, he formed Nicholas Aggor Publisher, LLC. A Florida company, Trans Investment and Consulting, reviewed the book and agreed to finance a first printing of 50,000.

Riverview and River Rouge school districts already use his books to supplement their programs. He's expanded to districts in Florida and New York.

"It's very kid-friendly, that's one of its high points," said Fred Keir, principal of Seitz Middle School in Riverview.

Riverview's superintendent, Dennis Desmarais, agrees.

"We've had good reports from the staff members that use them," Desmarais said. "They're very user-friendly books despite the thickness. We're going to continue to use them to supplement our program."

Last month, Aggor received accolades from Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who thanked him for his work and called him a "great role model to parents everywhere."

Aggor, who came from Ghana to the United States to attend college in 1978, later becoming a citizen, said it's all about helping students. His own sons, now 16 and 15, are excellent math students.

"Helping students move from low-performance levels to the highest in order to reach their maximum potential is at the heart of my passion," Aggor said. "It keeps me on my toes."

The textbooks can be reviewed at www.mathteachingseries.com.