A Horrible Math Teacher and Its Impact on My Life

As a child growing up in Alberta in the 1970s, I faced a particularly challenging math education. My math teacher, whom I'll refer to as Miss Cruel, created an environment that was not only painful but also deeply memorable.

Chilly Classroom and Unfavorable Learning Conditions

The school had rooms that were separate from the main building and equipped with their own thermostats. Miss Cruel, unbeknownst to most of the students, decided that cold temperatures would enhance our learning. Consequently, she turned down the heat in her classroom, leaving us to endure the harsh winter cold.

Alberta’s frigid winters made the experience even more challenging. With frozen hands and my ability to shiver away any potential focus, the classroom conditions severely impacted our ability to learn. The cold became a physical and emotional barrier, hindering our concentration and academic performance.

Humiliating Grading and Harsh Criticism

Miss Cruel’s methods for recording grades were particularly humiliating. We were required to state our marks out loud in front of the class, a practice that instilled immense fear and anxiety. She often referred to us as "lazy and unmotivated," even though we were terrified and doing our best to keep up.

One of the most grueling aspects was having to solve word problems on the board. Miss Cruel was merciless in her feedback, yelling at anyone who made a mistake. My struggles with math were compounded by the fact that she only explained each concept once. If I still did not understand, she accused me of not listening closely. As a result, I was only able to partially grasp the lessons.

The Chicken Question Incident

One day, we were given a math assignment involving word problems, one of which was about chickens. I anticipated that I would be chosen to solve that problem on the board the following day. However, I found the question too complex and turned to my father for help. After reviewing it, I felt confident that I had understood the solution. Unfortunately, the bus ride to school on the next day brought unexpected consequences.

During the assignment, Miss Cruel chose me to solve the chicken problem. She stood behind me, her presence radiating an aura of anxiety. I made a mistake and, too flustered to discern the error, I heard her begin to criticize me heatedly. She accused me of never trying, being lazy, and dismissed all my aspirations. At 12 years old, such harsh words from a teacher were disheartening and confusing.

Nevertheless, my poor performance led to a fit of tears, which only fueled her anger. She continued to criticize me, seemingly running out of things to say before finally exhausting herself. That experience was undoubtedly the most unbearable math class of my life.

Lessons Learned and Personal Growth

Despite the negative impact of Miss Cruel's teaching methods, the experience taught me valuable lessons. First and foremost, no one can truly learn in an environment permeated with fear and anxiety. This realization has stayed with me throughout my lifetime, influencing my approach to teaching and mentoring others.

Moreover, the incident emphasized the importance of recognizing and accommodating different learning styles. Each student has unique ways of understanding and retaining information, and teachers must be flexible enough to cater to these individual needs. Recognizing and respecting these differences is crucial for effective education.

Lastly, the power of positive reinforcement and encouragement cannot be understated. Terror and degradation, as demonstrated by Miss Cruel's approach, only serve to undermine confidence and motivation. Positive praise, on the other hand, has the potential to dramatically increase engagement and academic success.

In conclusion, although my experience with Miss Cruel was undoubtedly painful, it provided me with profound insights into the teaching profession and the crucial role of a supportive, nurturing learning environment.