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That kind of story makes me irrationally upset. That's horrible — killing a child's interest in math because they didn't do the problem the "right way". It's

That kind of story makes me irrationally upset. That's horrible — killing a child's interest in math because they didn't do the problem the "right way". It's completely antagonistic to the spirit of the field. Teachers shouldn't be teaching subjects if they don't understand them.

Kluny 11y ago
Same - I vow to make sure that never happens to my kids, even if I have to homeschool them.
- _rpd 11y ago
  We had to homeschool for a year because of this (substitute teacher just going through the motions). My son has been a year ahead in math ever since. We've had to supplement to keep him challenged.
zeidrich 11y ago
Its these kind of experiences that I want to learn to teach my child to make it through. There are a lot of other people out there who will unknowingly be very discouraging, to both children and adults, but their opinions have no bearing on our ability to learn. I remember being in music class in grade 1 and it was my absolute favorite class. Near the end of the year I was told that I wasn't very good at singing by my teacher. I never tried to sing again, but I learned later that I have good pitch and a decent voice. I am not really interested in singing now, but I might have learned a different set of skills if I didn't avoid it. Is there a way that I could have been prepared so that being told by the person I looked up to for validation, that I was no good wouldn't make me stop trying to improve? I don't know about that, but if there's a way to teach that, it would definitely be a good lesson. It would certainly be nice if teachers didn't do things like that, but even if you could guarantee they didn't, you won't stop the bullies or the critics or anyone other hater as you get older.
- mikeash 11y ago
  As they say, don't let your schooling get in the way of your education. To the grandparent: I don't think getting upset is at all irrational.

Kluny 11y ago

Same - I vow to make sure that never happens to my kids, even if I have to homeschool them.

_rpd 11y ago
We had to homeschool for a year because of this (substitute teacher just going through the motions). My son has been a year ahead in math ever since. We've had to supplement to keep him challenged.

zeidrich 11y ago

Its these kind of experiences that I want to learn to teach my child to make it through. There are a lot of other people out there who will unknowingly be very discouraging, to both children and adults, but their opinions have no bearing on our ability to learn. I remember being in music class in grade 1 and it was my absolute favorite class. Near the end of the year I was told that I wasn't very good at singing by my teacher. I never tried to sing again, but I learned later that I have good pitch and a decent voice. I am not really interested in singing now, but I might have learned a different set of skills if I didn't avoid it. Is there a way that I could have been prepared so that being told by the person I looked up to for validation, that I was no good wouldn't make me stop trying to improve? I don't know about that, but if there's a way to teach that, it would definitely be a good lesson. It would certainly be nice if teachers didn't do things like that, but even if you could guarantee they didn't, you won't stop the bullies or the critics or anyone other hater as you get older.

mikeash 11y ago
As they say, don't let your schooling get in the way of your education. To the grandparent: I don't think getting upset is at all irrational.