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Shawn Saylor
Teacher Essay
WFT
Spring 2013

Through the Looking Glass

Can you do Division? Divide a loaf by a knife whats the
answer to that? ~Lewis Carroll


Looking back through the window of time, my childhood memories are void of teaching
aspirations, let alone teaching math! I dont have cute stories of lining my dolls up, or playing
teacher with my siblings or parents. I do, however, see foundational components that have led
me to this path. After my parents divorced, when I was two years old, my mother and I lived
with my grandparents. I do not remember the pain of my parents divorce. Instead, sunshine,
songs and many afternoons spent with my Gramma on her porch swing fill my memories. During
my naptime, as my head rested in her lap, my Gramma always sang, You are My Sunshine.
Stroking my hair, she hummed our song until I drifted off to sleep. Her love for music spilled
over to me. My favorite pastime was singing into a microphone; I treasure two cassettes
recording from this time. Through the simple afternoon routine, my Gramma taught me the
importance of creating a safe, loving environment for my children and ultimately my future
students.
My mother remarried, and by the time I was ten-years-old I had three younger siblings.
Momma, a stay-at-home mother, claims I was a good helper and tenderhearted and emulated my
momma! As the oldest it was only natural that I was a mother hen. The nurturing example I
gleaned carried over to my siblings. I learned how to take care of babies, keep a home, and make
homemade meals. As a young girl, I babysat for other families to earn extra spending money.
Anytime I was asked, What do you want to be when you grow up? My reply was always a
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stay-at-home mother. It was important for me to stay at home with my children, just like my
Momma. Unfortunately, I was only able to do this for most of my second daughters younger
years. I am grateful for these two exceptional role models; my Gramma and mother were not
perfect, but I learned the importance of family and relationships. Working with children was an
obvious choice when our financial situation required me to go back to work. I spent two years at
a church preschool. During my last six months there, I taught a four year old class. My little
students light-bulb moments propelled me to earn my degree in teaching.
The only recollection of teaching anyone during my childhood occurred in high school.
My boyfriend Drew was failing his classes and not on track to graduate. Sitting at a small round
table, Drew banged his hands to his head in frustration. Whats the point? This doesnt make
sense! I understood exactly how Drew felt, and so did Alice.
`And you do Addition?' the White Queen asked. `What's one and one and one and one
and one and one and one and one and one and one?'
`I don't know,' said Alice. `I lost count.'
`She can't do Addition,' the Red Queen interrupted. `Can you do Subtraction? Take nine
from eight.'
`Nine from eight I can't, you know,' Alice replied very readily: `but -- '
`She can't do Subtraction,' said the White Queen. `Can you do Division? Divide a loaf by
a knife -- what's the answer to that?'
`I suppose -- ' Alice was beginning, but the Red Queen answered for her. `Bread-and-
butter, of course. Try another Subtraction sum. Take a bone from a dog: what remains?'
Alice considered. `The bone wouldn't remain, of course, if I took it -- and the dog
wouldn't remain; it would come to bite me -- and I'm sure I shouldn't remain!'
`Then you think nothing would remain?' said the Red Queen.
`I think that's the answer.'
`Wrong, as usual,' said the Red Queen: `the dog's temper would remain.'

If you would have told me, as an adolescent, that I would teach math someday I would have
looked like Alice answering the Queen of Hearts, befuddled! `What dreadful nonsense we are
talking!'
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Mrs. H., my Algebra/Calculus professor, altered my path from an elementary education
degree to mathematics. Like many students, I loathed math during my middle and high school
years. When I decided to go college, I had to refresh my math skills. You see, I am not what
most people call a math geek. It took many hours of practice, doing test corrections, and trying
again before it made sense. (I hope my ability to relate will resonate with my students.) Its my
desire to emulate Mrs. H.s passion for students success, to provide the same flexibility and
understand that life happens, and to fill my students with positive encouragement. As a
substitute, I have heard numerous times that there is no point in learning math. So, I share my
story with them. I follow up by asking students what they want to do upon graduation most
cannot tell me with 100% certainty. On the rare occasion a student knows, I try to find the math
within that career. Dean Schlicters quote states that if you, go down deep enough into
anythingyou will find mathematics. My goal is to emphasize this notion with my students!
Mathematics is its own language; comprehension of math instruction challenges many
students. I hope to help my students bridge their comprehension of words and numbers using an
interactive student notebook (ISN). My students can expect hands-on activities, choices, and
real-life application. Finding value in mathematics is only one aspect I hope to teach my
students. Teaching goes beyond a specific discipline; it should encompass the whole child.
Middle school students are in an awkward transition in life called puberty. This time of change
impacts them socially, intellectually, as well as physically. Students may not understand how
these changes impact them daily. Students may lose focus because they are tired or hungry. In
contrast, students may be fidgety because their body released a sudden rush of adrenaline.
Simple measures, such as fifteen second stand-up break, can help elevate these issues. Students
clumsiness or disorganization is also part of this transition. Establishing orderliness within the
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classroom can eliminate these potential obstacles. Helping students cope and being
understanding is part of my responsibility.
Alice survived the Queen of Hearts crazy riddles, and made it out of the rabbit hole with
help from friends. Drew, like Alice, struggled with math, but he made it out of his rabbit hole
and graduated high school. To this day I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing I contributed to his
success. I never imagined I would be a math teacher. I hope my personal transformation is as
profound as Marianna Williamson claims: Personal transformation can and does have global
effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is
ultimately a personal one. Mrs. H. transformed my opinion of mathematics. As I look forward
into my future, it is my hope to positively transform at least one students opinion about
mathematics.