We all have that one memory, or a series of memories, that shapes the way we feel about school.
Some of us loved everything about our grade school experience. We loved being with our friends every day. We loved having access to books and crayons and monkey bars. We loved our teachers. We loved learning new things every day. The only thing we didn’t love about school was that end of the day dismissal bell.
Others of us had a very different experience, even in the very same classrooms as our school loving peers. We didn’t have friends. We didn’t like to read or draw or play outside. We didn’t like our teachers. We thought learning was boring. The only thing we looked forward to was the bell ringing at the end of the day.
The same thing is true of our views of mathematics. As we got older, moving up through the grades, we either loved math or hated it. These feelings about the subject were shaped by our experiences throughout the years.
Some of us were lucky enough to “get it.” We understood the connections between concepts, were able to memorize facts and rules and steps, and we loved the challenge of solving a problem.
Others of us never did “get it.” Everything seemed disconnected and too much to remember. We did not enjoy solving problems because we had no idea where to start.
A few of us were lucky enough to have that one teacher that changed our entire perspective about mathematics by making it accessible to us. This teacher took time to explain concepts and allowed for self-discovery of connections. This teacher enhanced learning by introducing games and activities that helped us learn and recognize the patterns.
I believe the first step to changing any mindset begins with understanding where the beliefs came from in the first place. (I’m sure there is some research out there that supports my ideas about changing our thinking. I will make a note to look it up and add it here later.) Are you one of the ones who has always loved math and whose classroom experiences were always wonderful? Or are you one of the ones who never really understood the point and couldn’t seem to remember everything? Maybe you were one of the “lucky ones” who had rough mathematical beginnings and had that one teacher (or two!) who really changed your mind.
Was your math experience filled with sitting in rows, silently completing worksheets on your own or was your math class full of discussion and collaboration to solve interesting problems?
I’d love to hear your math story and to challenge you a bit to understand where your views of math came from. Please add to the discussion in the comments!
I had “the one” teacher in high school that finally made math click for me. She was the teacher that everyone dreaded having her class, but there was just something about the way she taught that helped me make sense of math. I had the attitude that I was never going to need more than basic addition and subtraction, multiplication and division in my life. She showed me that math can be fun and that we can use it in so many ways. After I began excelling in Math, I think it opened a new area of my brain and I was able to really learn to reason and analyze. It helped me grow in so many more ways than just mathematically. I will always be thankful she took the time to help me understand.
You are one of the lucky ones! What a blessing for you that you had a teacher who took time to help you and who made math more than worksheets and skill drills. I think it’s time that every student gets that chance! Thank you for sharing your story!
I just loved math all my life. I minored in math in college, and as a second career became a high school math teacher. I tried to be that one teacher that turned around a “non-math” person onto someone that realized they could do it. I couldn’t reach them all, but looking back, even if I only touched one math loving life, then it was worth it.
I love “lateral entry” or second career teachers like you! They often come in with such fresh perspectives and with a much better understanding of how their content relates to the world than those of us who went through traditional teacher prep programs. I am sure your were able to reach more than one of your students!
Oh goodness! I was the student that never “got it” when it came to math. I remember one of my math classes where the teacher remarked that she had already explained it 2 times and just do the math sheets she had given out. Needless to say, that explained how that year went!! Math was my worst subject, but I somehow managed to graduate as an honor student. I struggled for those grades!! I am much more creative than I am with numbers. You seem like an amazing teacher! I wish all teachers enjoyed their jobs!
I am so very sorry you had that experience with math! One of my missions is to change that mindset and show every student (and adult!) they CAN do math! What I love about the “reformed” math class is that it allows for creativity in problem solving so that students can realize there is more than one path to a solution. Thank you so much for sharing your story!