Within my head numbers got jumbled, equations were fuzzy, and my answers were somehow wrong, always. When I first began my studies to become an Elementary school teacher my greatest fear was that I wasn't smart enough, that the mean math bully would come around again and not let me succeed.
With time however (and with the help of a very dear and gifted professor) I learned to look at math in a different way and began to understand how to turn my weaknesses into my strengths.
Today, I find myself sitting across from two 3rd graders who have similar sentiments about math. "Why is math SO CRUEL!?!?", "I can't find the sum!!", "I don't get it Ms. H!!!"
But the amazing thing is I KNOW how they feel. I can dive right into their minds and help them break it all down and build it up again. Together, with our minds combined, we can somehow enter into the world of numbers and make it manageable.
And I find that, ironically, my biggest weakness as a student has proven to be one of my greatest strengths as a teacher. :)
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| My math buddies: Emma and Itzel |
So wise for one so young! If you aren't named teacher of the year before the end of your career, it will only because the selection committee has rocks in their heads.
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