Reflections on Worst Math Teachers: Lessons from School Days
In the vast landscape of school memories, some figures stand out as particularly memorable, but not always for the right reasons. The realm of mathematics is no exception. Here, we explore tales of teachers who left a lasting impact, for the worse, drawing lessons from our school days.
Teacher Who Blown Up the Classroom
One of the most memorable incidents occurred during my freshman year. Our math teacher was so intense that when he became agitated, the walls and doors would shake. This experience was so traumatic that I dropped the class. After a semester, I dusted off my courage and retook the course in my senior year. It wasn’t until I learned that the teacher had bipolar disorder that the situation became clearer. When on medication, he was a reasonable human being; off his medication, the nightmares began.
7th Grade Math: A Room Rearrangement
My seventh-grade experience with a math teacher was particularly challenging. She assessed our knowledge weekly with quizzes and reshuffled the classroom seating. The grade level determined one's proximity to the front of the room. I, being alphabetically placed, was moved to the back. This strategic seating arrangement led to a significant dip in my grades. Thankfully, Mr. Cannon, who took over, moved me to the front and brought an air of positivity, improving both my grades and my mathematical confidence significantly.
Algebra II Teacher: The Distracted Drifter
The worst teacher I encountered was during my Algebra II class. Before diving into a skill, he would cover the curriculum quickly, only to spend the bulk of the class reading agricultural reports. Despite learning nothing, I somehow passed the class. This uninspired, disengaging teaching style left a lasting negative impression on me.
High School vs. College: A Tilted Scale
Fortunately, my high school was blessed with some excellent teachers. However, my college experience included one who was utterly unhelpful and failed to inspire any love for the subject. Most of the teachers were tolerable, lacking the enthusiasm I truly needed.
Lessons and Insights: The Dark Side of Strictness
I cannot speak highly of one teacher who was exceptionally strict. He was not interested in nurturing our passion for mathematics or in ensuring a deep understanding of the subject. He was one of many strict teachers, but his approach went beyond instilling discipline; he enjoyed instilling fear.
A memorable incident involving him was when he sarcastically dismissed the teacher who organized an annual food collection for needy families. He further derided it as being irrelevant to the 'real world' of the classroom.
Years later, our brother who was working as a teacher at the same school encountered this teacher and found out that the discipline had changed. An injury led him to hospitalization, and he was humbled by the support he received. This experience changed his attitude towards teaching. While he wasn't incompetent, the other math teachers were better and equally disciplined.
Our journey through various math teachers has taught us that the impact a teacher can have is significant. Some inspire, some discourage, and some even go beyond altering one's academic path. As educators, we must not only impart knowledge but also foster an environment that encourages learning and understanding.