Mathematical Turbulence by Haana

Mathematical Turbulence by Haana - June 2021 Scholarship Essay

Math. Not that many students like it, let alone love it. To be honest I didn’t either until my last year of middle school. Anxiously walking into my first class of the day as an eighth grader, I was excited while nervous to meet my new classmates and teacher. Throughout my early years of middle school I had taken math classes where I had bawled my eyes out because I could not understand the material. During those times, math was in a way, painful.
As we opened our notebooks and began to listen to our teachers lecture, I was suddenly surprised by the fact that her words actually made sense. Mrs. Wynne, as I remember, taught in a way that was unlike any of my past math teachers. She went through each problem step by step, explaining it in full detail. She made eighth grade me not afraid to ask questions, to engage in class, to learn.
Flashforward to high school, I still employ the same techniques, the same strategies that I was taught as a thirteen year old. Not only have I been able to keep my grade high in those math classes, I’ve helped countless others do the same. I took to becoming a math tutor during my junior year; I wanted to help those who were still struggling with math, those who didn’t have a Mrs. Wynne to guide them.
This newfound love for math allowed me to gain confidence in myself, in my ability to excel at school. I began to take harder classes such as honors and APs. I became more involved in STEM affiliated courses such as AP Biology and activities such as the Orange County Science Club, which revolved around spreading awareness of STEM in Southern California through STEM based events at elementary and middle schools.
Who knew one math teacher would make me fall in love with a subject I hated the most.