My mother was innumerate!

Declaring in a mixed setting "I teach math!" often evokes the canned response "Oh, I was never good at math."

Most of the time, it's stated with confidence. Would the same confidence be there if an individual stated "Oh, I don't know how to read!" There is a societal "shame" that comes with being illiterate, but in the same society, being innumerate, seems to not only be acceptable, it comes with a sense of community.

In my first blog, I identified the frustration of the student that uses "I don't get it" to avoid work. But what about those students who really "don't get it."

That's the million dollar question! Parents ask, teachers ask, administrators ask, publishers make millions relying on this question to be asked, "experts" who often have never stepped foot in the classroom, or better yet, spent a few years "subbing" hold workshops and profit, simply talking around this very important question. So what IS the answer?

Here is what the answer is NOT! Do not tell your child, "It's OK, I was never good at math!" The hearts of math teachers, all across the world, break a little each time that phrase is uttered! Although it may not be the intention, what a child hears is "That's OK, you don't have to try."

My mother failed algebra three times in high school. As an adult, she changed colleges twice to avoid "mathermatics requirements." I can remember sitting at the dining room table, as a high school student myself, trying to help my mom understand how to "solve for x" as she cried because she sincerely "didn't get it."

At the time, I didn't understand why she chose to go back to college in her 40s, putting herself through the heartache, if she couldn't get through the algebra requirement. Now, as an adult myself, I realize that she refused to let herself quit. Through her actions, the greatest lesson she taught me was PERSERVERANCE.

The Dublin Unified School District's motto is "All students will be lifelong learners." That doesn't mean your child is going to be the 40-year-old in a contemporary literature class who wears Hawaiian shirts and argues with the professor daily.

A lifelong learner is an individual, who faced with a problem, doesn't simply give up, instead identifies what lesson is to be learned and what resources are needed to move forward. It's a beneficial life skill that can be applied to career, family, relationships and even car problems!

If life is indeed a party, knowing your history gives you something to talk about at the party, knowing your math gives you the resources to throw the party, knowing your English allows you write the invitation to the party, and being good at P.E. helps you be attractive to others at that party!

If I could give parents one suggestion to help their student be successful in school, it would be to avoid the "I was never good at...." stories. It's just one more excuse to add to the bag. I was tired, I had too much homework, I didn't know what the assignment was, my dog at my homework, my little sister drew on my homework so I had to throw it away, my mom didn't get it or my dad couldn't help me. The list goes on and on, but I will save that for another blog! 

Teachers are here to teach, students are here to learn and parents are here to make sure the student doesn't give up!