Where are our good teachers? by Elise

Where are our good teachers? by Elise - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Trigonometry, what are all these words? I thought it was just called math, now we have four or 5 different kinds? Math is one of the most confusing subjects for so many students, and they have the most trouble with it. Math is confusing and for a lot of students, they take a different pace to understand it. This year I am taking pre-calculus and my teacher is extremely smart and understands math very well, he just doesn't teach math very well. The only downside is that I and a lot of my classmates have a very hard time understanding the material because he teaches so quickly. Math is something that everyone needs to take their own time, in my class if you look down for two seconds you miss way the whole concept.
If I had the opportunity to teach a class and the roles were reversed I would want to teach math. I have always been a pretty good student, I get my work done, I work hard and I do everything that is asked of me. Yet this is the one class I struggle with. If I were able to reverse the roles and become a teacher for my present teacher I would show him how it needs to be done.
Class needs to start with the topic of the day, we are going over exponential functions, or solving equations. Not just starting a problem and assuming the class all knows what they are doing. There also needs to be notes every day on the subject of the day. Even if they are not a full page of notes, stuff about when you are going to use this kind of math and what you need to know. Then after doing a couple example problems on the board I would have my class try one on their own, helping if needed so that they know for sure they are doing it correct. Lastly I would give my class a couple homework problems either to finish in class or do once they got home. To make sure they would remember and not forget how to do it for the test.
If I was a teacher I would try my hardest to relate with my students, to become close with them and really get to know them. I have maybe one teacher that I feel I really know and I feel I can talk to if I need. Students need that in a teacher, someone to look up to that is always willing to help them, not even with just homework or school type of problems, students need friends in their teachers not just a “teacher.”
To be a teacher you have to be able to know your students. When I can come to a teacher my senior year and ask for letters of recommendation I want to know that they really know me and will know how to correctly write that letter for me. When teachers take the time to get to know their students their students will work harder for them. They will shoot for those higher grades knowing that their teacher wants them to succeed. I would be the kind of teacher that kids come to for anything. I would have after school tutoring and anything they came to me about, if I am the only person they feel comfortable talking to, then I will be there.
If I had the opportunity to reverse the roles and be able to teach math, a very difficult subject for so many students I would do my best to help them understand. To make sure they got the concept before placing a test on their desks knowing that half the class would fail. I would have an open door policy about anything, you never know what kids might be going through. Lastly to relate to my students on a personal level I know would help them more than anything. We need good teachers in the world, and we won’t get anywhere without their help. So I as a teacher would be the best teacher I could be.