Growing up in the 1960’s, mathematics for me was all about memorization and speed. I dreaded playing “Around the World” with flash cards because I did not have a good memory and I was far from fast with math facts. As a result I struggled mightily. My parents sent me to summer school twice for math during my elementary years. Not because I failed, but because I did not possess a deep understanding of what I was doing. As a result of my poor understanding of what I thought were unrelated concepts and procedures when I got to high school, I continued to struggle all the way through Algebra II and trigonometry. When I got to college and began to study electrical engineering technology and had to take calculus, my struggle continued. But after I learned how to solve integrals to determine the values of capacitors and resistors in an electrical circuit to produce a desired output from a given input, math took on a whole new meaning. It was extremely powerful. Despite my difficulties with math, I always enjoyed it and was intrigued by how nicely everything fit together. In my case persistence, perseverance, and grit made all the difference. I just don’t quit!

 

Fast forward to present day. Despite my earlier struggles, I have been a successful New York State Certified 7-12 Mathematics teacher for the past 18 years. I have taken numerous classes, read numerous books and have developed insights into math I never could have imagined. Three years ago, I was asked by a colleague if I would tutor her granddaughter, a 4th grade student who was struggling in math due to processing issues. I have been working with this student ever since and she is now a very strong student in math with a solid grasp of numbers, and how flexible, creative and intuitive math can be. Patience, understanding, compassion, empathy, persistence, perseverance, and a growth mindset along with my own struggles have empowered me to teach with passion and a love of what I do.