It didn’t take long for me to realize that math and numbers were vast sources of frustration for me. I guess if I am being honest I would have to say that life in general and been pretty frustrating. A little history may aid in completing a picture of me. Maybe my entrance into the world fifteen weeks too soon or it could be the twelve neurosurgeries I have undergone in my seventeen years of life. I was born prematurely and developed hydrocephalus at three days old.
School, for me became difficult early, like around third grade. By the time fifth grade rolled around I was sinking into deep depression from bullies and my inability to keep us so my mom found a private school that catered to kids with differing learning abilities. It didn’t take long for me pull myself out of my shell and with counseling and tutoring I soon began making A’s and B’s in everything. I was in heaven and m 6th grade until 10th grade school was a breeze, or so I thought. My mother was never very comfortable with the level of work or testing and she spoke often of my need for more challenging work.
For my junior year my mother decided to put me back in public school. I had expressed interest in college and as a single parent she felt I would have more opportunities for help at a public school. Culture shock and ALGEBRA 2 – were certain dread. I tried everything from Khan Academy, to after school tutoring to Saturday tutoring and even a peer tutor. My brain hurt so much sometimes until I just wanted to die with all the extra work and time that I invested I know for a fact that the best support for me came when my mother enrolled me in Mathnasium. I was immediately drawn to Colin and Daniel and together they somehow managed to help me make connections in understanding this strange math unlike any of the other support. Even with the support of Mathnasium I only managed to get a “C “ for the course but I did it.
