I also love teaching math at Fleming Middle School. I have been an educator for the past 33 years, and I have worked at the elementary school, middle school, and high school levels. 

Please indulge me in some storytelling. I have had many students over the years but this is a special story as you will see. Some years ago I taught math to all the 6th-8th grade students. I had a 6th grade student that was a struggling D-F student, never getting higher than a D on a test. One day late in the year I was grading 6th grade tests and this student received an A!!! I was amazed, pleased, excited. I couldn’t wait to talk to the student the next day. The following day I quietly asked the student what happened. The answer amazed me. The student whispered back, “I started paying attention.” What!!!

Yes, the student started paying attention. It is a simple thing, paying attention, and yet a huge thing. When I was grading the next test I held my breath hoping that this student would get another good grade. A good grade. How about another A!! And then A’s and B’s after that clear through 8th grade!!! That student went from ‘I can’t do this’ to ‘I can do this’.

What happens when you pay attention? Math is easier. Oh yeah, that student went on to place third in a county wide math contest as an 8th grader.