Happy Father’s Day!

A few weeks ago, a student came to my office hours (distance learning!) and asked me for help with a problem. She told me she is stuck and doesn’t know what to do. I asked her to try the problem right then. Miraculously, she solved the problem. She said, “Ms. K, I should just do all the problems sitting in front of you. You don’t even say anything but somehow I am able to do the problems when you are there!”

Her statement took me back to my childhood. I used to often joke with my Dad that I should just carry his picture to all my tests because I can always solve the problem when he is around. He never used to tell me how to fix my mistake or what the mistake even was, the most guidance he would give me was to point me to the part of the problem; beginning, middle or end; and even that was rare. He would just sit there and watch me flail….and miraculously I learnt to swim. 

What he gave me was so much more important that instruction or motivation. He gave me BELIEF….My father, with no background in teaching or education, was the definition of a Warm Demander. He, through his action and his words, taught me to believe in myself and my ability. He also instilled in me this unwavering belief that he will be my Champion if I need someone to push me and my Cushion who I can always fall back on.

That is the kind of teacher I aspire to be…but how? What can I do to make sure ALL my students BELIEVE…In this world where they are told everyday not to believe…not to believe in themselves…in the society…in the news…how do I show them that I believe in them and their abilities? That they should believe in themselves?

Instead of a final exam, I asked my students to reflect on their learning this year. Francis Su inspired me to focus the reflection on the virtues that math can instill in us. My students reflected on their perseverance, curiosity, thinking for oneself, creativity and their idea of beauty. Here are some of their responses:

PERSEVERANCE

CURIOSITY

THINKING FOR ONESELF

CREATIVITY

BEAUTY

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These reflections showed me just how much my kids have grown over this past year…how much they have learned and how ready they are for the future.

As the school year is ending, I think, it is time for me to reflect as well. Reflect on what worked this year, what did not. Was I able to instill belief in some of my students, who did my strategies work for and why? I don’t have answer to all these questions…yet…but I will keep looking and experimenting.

For now, I would like to wish all Fathers and Father-like-figures,  a very Happy, Peaceful and Joyous Father’s Day. You are more important to us than we let on! Keep believing in us so that we can believe in us!