Comments on: Math

By: Charlynn B.

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 02:04:22 +0000

Hi Kay, I can relate to this SO MUCH!! Math has always been a challenge for me and I appreciate you sharing your experience. As a child math was a struggle so therefore I too assumed that I was not smart. Other subjects came more easily, but the math stigma eroded my self confidence and influenced my efforts in all subjects. Freshman year of college I enrolled myself in “bonehead” math to start fresh and it helped dramatically. Good for you for taking it on as an adult.
I still panic when my son needs help in math, but he has a tutor and I’m hoping that is sufficient!
Charlynn

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By: Jessica Mireles

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 23:14:39 +0000

Beautifully written, Kay! I believe that many teachers (in your case, a bad one) don’t realize the power they have over their students; how a supposedly benign comment can shape the way we view ourselves throughout our whole lives. I comfort myself with the fact that there are many more good teachers out there who give praise and encouragement to their students. Great story!

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By: Ruth Ann Bowen

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:25:14 +0000

Thank you so much for writing this. It should be mandatory reading for every teacher in the U.S.

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By: Linda B.

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:47:12 +0000

I loved this. I teach music privately and I have tons of kids and adults in my life each week. I hear from the kids how their teachers are effecting them. They can wound or they can build up the kids in their classrooms. I try to always remember that with my students too. I don’t want to be the teacher they eventually need therapy to recover from. I want to inspire them to love music and to carry music and the arts into their adult lives too. I am so glad you got a second chance at math and having a teacher who got her students. Thanks for the reminder of what really is important.

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