Something especially important to consider is that it DID fundamentally change Grant’s relationship with mathematics, even if it’s a small effect. This moment is close enough to him that he still remembers it! We go through so much minutiae in life, but this was a moment that his brain held onto…because even if in reflection, he can take away the positives, it could have been much worse. Educators have to be really careful to stay on the right side of line between giving words of affirmation and being demeaning, because those two things can be remarkably similar.
In my Calculus 102 course in the university, we had some kind of a forum to exchange ideas with other students and the professor. Before the exam, I had asked the professor if I am allowed to use the forum to post some practice problems and give solutions myself. He said that it would be pointless for me because it's not an exchange of thoughts (professor can't help because there's an exam next day). Anyway, I posted my 5 favorite problems from the book (out of 100ish) and solved them carefully. My solutions were available for the whole 800 people taking the course. The next day, 3 out of those 5 problems appeared exactly in the exam, worth of 20/100 of the whole exam. It was my proudest moment of my university life as I felt like I helped hundreds of people at once. Teaching math is a better feeling than understanding math.
Even the insult itself isn’t super accurate. Not joking the most common double major for people studying a music degree at my college, was a math or engineering degree. As an engineering student, I knew like 10-15 people from my classes that were in band / choir / other ensembles.
Ouch, for a kid to hear that can be really hard. I don’t really understand that kind of thing from a teacher, they absolutely must be more thoughtful. My pet peeve was when a teacher would preface a concept or lecture with “obviously, …” or “of course, …” Even though I am sure they didn’t intend it to come across as pretentious, it inevitably felt dismissive and, in the worst case when I struggled with the topic that followed, demoralizing. So many “throwaway” comments have so much more impact than their authors ever intend.
Spot on.
Teachers and other people in positions of authority have to be careful what they say to kids.
This guy is based asf. He is the nicest guy and is a brilliant math teacher!
Exactly.
Its incredible how just a simple comment can shape so much of your character when you're a kid.
Something especially important to consider is that it DID fundamentally change Grant’s relationship with mathematics, even if it’s a small effect. This moment is close enough to him that he still remembers it!
We go through so much minutiae in life, but this was a moment that his brain held onto…because even if in reflection, he can take away the positives, it could have been much worse.
Educators have to be really careful to stay on the right side of line between giving words of affirmation and being demeaning, because those two things can be remarkably similar.
In my Calculus 102 course in the university, we had some kind of a forum to exchange ideas with other students and the professor. Before the exam, I had asked the professor if I am allowed to use the forum to post some practice problems and give solutions myself. He said that it would be pointless for me because it's not an exchange of thoughts (professor can't help because there's an exam next day). Anyway, I posted my 5 favorite problems from the book (out of 100ish) and solved them carefully. My solutions were available for the whole 800 people taking the course. The next day, 3 out of those 5 problems appeared exactly in the exam, worth of 20/100 of the whole exam. It was my proudest moment of my university life as I felt like I helped hundreds of people at once. Teaching math is a better feeling than understanding math.
Incredible insight into the power that teachers hold. Grateful that you've pursued a path of teaching. We need it desperately.
Can't even imagine saying that to Grant, the wizard
Even the insult itself isn’t super accurate. Not joking the most common double major for people studying a music degree at my college, was a math or engineering degree. As an engineering student, I knew like 10-15 people from my classes that were in band / choir / other ensembles.
first time seeing his face now and don't know what to feel
expected him to be old gray haired math professor but he is just handsome young man
Ouch, for a kid to hear that can be really hard. I don’t really understand that kind of thing from a teacher, they absolutely must be more thoughtful. My pet peeve was when a teacher would preface a concept or lecture with “obviously, …” or “of course, …” Even though I am sure they didn’t intend it to come across as pretentious, it inevitably felt dismissive and, in the worst case when I struggled with the topic that followed, demoralizing. So many “throwaway” comments have so much more impact than their authors ever intend.
I can relate: happened in grade 1 and carried it all the way through school.
Same as Reality. People are just going against it this is one reason
Just because someone is a teacher it doesn’t mean that someone is a good person.
"Music people just aren't math people. "
Math rock says hi.
My teacher derailed me at second year of school, I didn't do ANY math until high school...
Tell it to Brian May
Wait I don’t get it