This year, I am teaching a class called Math Boost. Math Boost is essentially a second math class for students who need just a bit of a “boost” to help them get caught up to their grade level peers. I am excited to teach this but know it’s going to be hard to get kids to “buy in” to an extra math class when most of these students probably hate math since they struggle with it. I am thinking of having the kids write me a short note on what they want me to know about them as a math learner or just as a person in general. The idea is to also share a letter I would have written as a 7th grader and then have them write their own. Below is my personal letter to what I wish my math teacher would have known. 

Hello,

There are 3 main things you should know about me as a student. I hate math, I’m quiet, and I like when teachers tell me things privately instead of in a group. I’m sure there are more things you need to know but I’ll let you figure that out or ask as the year goes on.

The first thing is I hate math. I would rather poke my eye balls out with this pencil than do some math work but maybe you can help me get better? I think I hate math because it’s the hardest subject. I use to be good at it. In fact, I was the fastest at my multiplication facts in 4th grade and I thought I was good at math. However, in 5th grade everything changed. My 5th grade teacher talked way too fast and she wrote too small so I couldn’t see the board when she went over problems. I kept thinking, how was I suppose to figure this out when I couldn’t see? All of the other kids seemed to get the problem right away but I was always stuck and confused. Since most of the kids seemed to know what was going on, the teacher always moved on and I pretended to know what I was doing. One day, I was brave enough to ask her a question at her desk and she yelled at me for disturbing her. I never asked another question and continued to fail tests and quizzes. My parents got really mad and they tried to help me, but I just didn’t understand. I felt so stupid and this is why I hate math. I hope if you slow down and let me ask questions I can maybe understand things better this year. 

Another thing you should know is I’m quiet. I always hate when teachers or students tell me to talk more. If I have something to say, I will say it. Sometimes I will know the answer, but I don’t feel like saying it aloud. I’m not dumb, I just only like to talk when I have an important thing to say.   I will participate in class when I’m ready or feel confident in my answer. I already feel stupid in math so please don’t make me go up to the board unless I know my answer is correct. Some kids like being the center of attention and like to talk all the time, I don’t. I would rather stay hidden than be the one up front and center. If you give me some time to process and check my work before I have to write the answer on the board I might get my confidence back. I’m at an all time low, so please help me grow.

Lastly, because I’m quiet I like when teachers tell me things privately. The worse thing you could do is tell me I’m wrong in front of the whole class. It will make me feel like I’m an idiot and I won’t want to do anything after that. I always feel like everyone is talking about me, even though I know it’s probably in my head. Please correct me and help me do better but a conversation at your desk or written notes on my papers would help me a lot more. Also, if I have a question I might be afraid to ask it in front of the whole class so if I ask you later that would be make me feel better. 

To conclude, the 3 things you should know about me is I hate math, I’m quiet, and I like conversations to be private. I know you have a lot of kids but I hope knowing these 3 things about me will help you help me. I’m hoping I start to like math again. 

So yes, the ironic thing with all of this is I now teach a subject I hated as a kid. Thank God, I did end up with some great middle and high school teachers. My college math professor was the one who convinced me to minor in mathematics because I knew what it was like to struggle and it would help me feel confident in teaching mathematics in the future. I never thought I would end up as a math teacher but after 25 years I know I should never say I’m never doing something.

The key to getting people to trust and appreciate what you’re doing is to build relationships and rapport. This assignment is a way to “bee the thread” in what my students think about math class and how I can help them change their mindset and grow. A lot of my kids deal with some crazy things so I hope this assignment will help me connect more with my kids and adapt my teaching styles to their needs.