Ode to Mrs. M's Remedial Algebra by Jenelle

Ode to Mrs. M's Remedial Algebra by Jenelle - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

"Education is a shared commitment between dedicated teachers, motivated students and enthusiastic parents with high expectations." - Bob Beauprez

I have been on both sides of the spectrum as far as education goes. I have dabbled in student teaching and most of the time I occupy the employment title of 'student'. During my time as an educator as well as a pupil I have learned that children learn very little when there is lack of preparedness, enthusiasm, support and dedication. The times I put in thought and consideration into a lesson plan I found myself becoming more and more excited about what I was putting together to teach to the children the more I wanted them to understand when I taught it; it became personal and very tangible. Growing up I was not the best student at math, and at times it is still my Achilles heel. However, when I moved to another state for High School I encountered a math teacher who took her classes seriously. She was so nurturing with math it was almost as if I entered homeschool whenever I walked through her classroom. She spent tireless hours after school with me so that I could understand and ultimately pass my remedial algebra class so that I may move onto geometry. It pained her to see me fail, or become confused by something that seemed so simple to her. The last quarter of that year I passed her class and was able to move onto geometry. I will never forget her class because not only did she enjoy what she was doing, but she wanted me to share in that joy of self-accomplishment. Now that I am a senior in college, whenever I visit my hometown, I go to my old high school to thank her. Math is still not my strong suit but she was dedicated to her planning process, she motivated me to push myself and when my parents saw me excelling above my previous failures they became cheerleaders in my process. My advice to both new and seasoned teachers would be to become more than paid babysitters but educators who feel. Whenever a child fails, take it as a personal failure. The true measure of success is the well-being and establishment of those nearest you. Since a student is a direct reflection of your skills it counts greatly to invest dedication into your pupils. After all a well-educated student becomes a great asset to its community.