And how many of them were able to dust up a person who could explain to them not only how algebra works, but why one should study it? At the age where they can

And how many of them were able to dust up a person who could explain to them not only how algebra works, but why one should study it? At the age where they can actually do it and not get bored? Math education comes up here regularly, and we have lots of smart math people here, but the story is often that some commentator was simply never shown anything interesting in their whole schooling. I'd never have given it much thought were it not for one particular math teacher who put a lot of effort into me and a few other interested kids. I still keep in touch with him.