Teachers Who Get Students Who Don’t Get Math

Elementary/Primary School | Learning | January 26, 2014

(I nearly failed fourth grade because I didn’t “get” math. My teacher that year was a remarkable woman for whom I will carry love and gratitude to my dying day. The difference she made for me was in seeing the potential I had and spending one or two hours a day, after school, tutoring me in the fundamentals like times tables and fractions and how to use them. As life goes on I move away, but she often asks my parents how I am doing. Fast forward a while; my oldest son has just finished fourth grade with a teacher who made a real difference for him. I am visiting my hometown, and decide it is time to thank my fourth-grade teacher in person. I call her number.)

Me: “Hello. Can I speak to [Teacher]?”

Teacher’s Daughter: “This is her daughter. My mother is in a retirement home.”

Me: “Oh, I see. I am an old student of hers, and I wanted to pay a visit.”

Teacher’s Daughter: “You’re welcome to visit, but don’t expect too much as she has dementia and has trouble remembering.”

(I visited her with my son, who looked a lot like I did at that age. She didn’t recognize me at all, but remembered my name and, quite naturally, assumed my son was me. We had a ten-minute chat as that was all she could manage. I did get to thank her but had put it off for too long. The lesson for all those who may read this, and who have had a teacher/professor/mentor that they want to thank, is, don’t wait.)

This story is part of the Fourth Grader roundup! This is the last story in the roundup, but we have plenty of others you might enjoy!

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