What was your favorite subject in school?
Ironically, my favorite subject in school used to be my least favorite. I mean, for as long as I could remember, math was literal torture. Maybe I had some undiagnosed learning disability that I was eventually better able to mask later on, but I remember truly struggling all throughout elementary school. I just could. not. pay attention.
Not only is the subject notoriously difficult, but I’d have to fight back sleep for what seemed like eternity (though the class was probably no longer than an hour in the afternoon). Maybe it was the fact that it took place after lunch and recess and I was struck by a case of le mal du porc? I struggled to stay awake, but at least I found success in that endeavor. Focusing, however, was another story. My grades were mediocre and I was lost.
It was worse once I got to middle school. The stakes were getting higher and I was struggling to keep up. But I knew enough to not fail, and I did not want to disappoint my strict father. Thankfully, my algebra teacher turned out to be an amazing one. She made learning math a vibe. That classroom, with the dim lighting, the cool music from the 60s to 80s she would softly play in the background, her chill attitude – I have to say, she made math fun.
And somehow, it finally made sense to me. She had patiently explained the concepts, practiced with us, and gave us the space to solve the problems ourselves… and I realized I actually like math. It appeared to be a matter of having an engaging and passionate teacher that made me want to learn. For once, I finally felt like math wasn’t a chore, rather, a puzzle to be solved. I also loved how you could build upon smaller concepts to solve more complex problems, and you could always check your work – the answers are all there in front of you, you just have to dig it up.
When I think about how much I detested math before, I am in awe at how I could have lasted so long flailing around in the dark when all I needed was a good teacher to shine the light. So thank you Mrs. Hardin for helping me see the light!
bluebeary 