From Impossible to Enjoyable by Sydni

From Impossible to Enjoyable by Sydni - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

Math−a subject that is often disliked or even hated by many people. Because they see it as extremely difficult, many think that math is so impossible that give up on ever making a good grade in the class. I was the same way until 7th grade, when I had a teacher who positively affected the way that I viewed this difficult subject and my education altogether.

In the seventh grade, Mrs. Fingleton, our homeroom teacher, taught us English and Pre-algebra. Not only did she help us transition into a harder math class with a scary name, but she also helped me to see that math is a subject that I can actually enjoy and even grow to love. A very intelligent woman who loved the subject matter, Mrs. Fingleton had a gift for making the subject matter easy to understand. She helped to change my attitude from “I can’t do it” to “I love math!” Of course the material was still difficult, but it was no longer impossible because of her help. The things that I have learned in her class have helped me all the way through middle school, high school, and even some of college.

Because of her influence on the way I view math, I now have a completely different view on education. Math is a subject that I now enjoy, and I even enjoy going to my math classes. My teacher is part of the reason that I have chosen to become a math teacher as well in the future. What a difference it makes to have a teacher who transforms your view of a subject that you once thought was too difficult to master.