Sept 16 - Favourite and Least Favourite Math Teacher

My experience learning math in elementary and high school in India has been a wild ride. A few of my teachers that I encountered in my learning journey were incompetent, unmotivated and unsupportive. I remember my grade 3 teacher comparing me to other students and calling me out in front of the whole class for not understanding simple single digit addition. She did not create any sense of belonging for me in her classroom. Another one of my teacher was physically abusive and instilled so much fear in me that I memorized all the steps to solve questions rather than really understanding any of it. I had to work really hard to overcome the trauma caused by my teachers.

I was fortunate enough to encounter my favourite math teacher in grade 8. He was patient, kind and cared for his students. He himself was so passionate about math that he changed careers at 60 years old to pursue teaching. He praised every effort that I made and every little bit of progress I showed. He inspired me to try to learn math and this soon made me feel as though I belong in a room where people discuss math. When I think about the kind of teacher I want to be, his clear image pops up in my head. As I take up the 'mantel of the teacher,' I aspire to to be patient, inclusive and to create a safe space for my students where mistakes are allowed and questions are encouraged.