Teachers (School Assessment Project)

Some people in class Tuesday thought it was the teachers’ fault for kids’ failing or not learning the material, while others thought it was the students’. I think it a bit of both actually. I think that if you stuck me in a room, with a math book and everything else I would need, and I actually had the drive and desire to learn math, I don’t think I would be able to do it. I’m naturally bad at math, and I need someone to help me. Same thing with foreign languages. If someone isn’t there pronouncing it or helping me get through the tough grammar sections, I can’t do it. It helps a lot to have the teacher there to go over the material, talk about it, and provide examples.

I’m not totally disagreeing with the ‘it’s the student’s fault’ opinion either. The student needs to have the drive and desire to learn the material. I hate math most of the time, so I usually don’t want to learn it. I tend to zone out when math is the topic. Math doesn’t ‘click’ for me very easily, so I often don’t want to even try to learn it. When I do want good grades though, I really try to listen to the teacher and actually try to get it. It makes a big difference. When I actually do the work and put effort into it, I find that I can understand it and that I can get good grades in math.

I still need a teacher to help me though, or anyone else who’s good at math. I could have all of the best math books and resources in the world right on front of me, but it really wouldn’t make a difference without the guidance.