Math has never been my favorite subject. In grade school, I found it to be boring and monotonous, and it was never a subject that I enjoyed. I was always much more interested in classes such as English, where we read exciting stories, than in math class, where we sat and did problems. Not only was it a class where we seemed to do the same kinds of things day after day, but I was not even especially good at solving math problems. When I switched schools for sixth through eighth grade, though, I experienced a whole new world of math.

In my new school, my entire grade consisted of only 18 people. We traveled from class to class all together. For math and English, though, we were divided into two seperate classes of 9. It was with this arrangement and the help of Miss C. that I learned not only that I could enjoy math, but also that I was good at it. Miss C. took full advantage of the small class that she had to work with, and she made it the most personalized classroom environment that I have ever been a part of. She was a passionate woman who cared deeply about the success of each and every one of her students, and she made that very clear to us. Miss C. had a personal relationship with each of her students. She had nicknames for everyone, and she always wanted to hear about "the gossip" of what was going on in our lives outside of the classroom. She was also always ready with a story about one of her students of the past, her childhood, or anything amusing in the news that she had heard about.

Miss C's class was fun, but it was not all about gossip and stories. She was also a teacher who was sincerely invested in the success of her students. She was teaching us fundamental math skills, and she believed in the importance of mastering them. She would not move on from a chapter or unit until she was sure that everyone in the class was an expert on that material. She made up games, rhymes, and songs to help us remember rules and concepts. Not only did she make up these rhymes and songs, but she often sang them for us while dancing around the room. To this day, when thinking of the order of operations, I remember Miss C. standing on her desk and in a booming voice proclaiming, "Moses went up the mountain, and God said, 'PARENTHESIS FIRST'". I have never forgotten to perform the operations in parenthesis before anything else in a problem.

In Miss C's math class, I felt that I had someone who wanted with all of her heart for me to succeed. I remember countless times when I or someone else would answer a question right and Miss C. would jump and cheer with joy. There were also times that I would get a slightly lower grade than usual on a test and Miss C. would talk to me and tell me that she knew I was smart and that I had the ability to get a hundred percent on that test. She would always offer to work with me for as long as it would take for me to feel totally comfortable with the material.

Miss C. is who comes to my mind when I think of what a teacher should be. She was an educator, a role-model, and a friend. In her class, I gained the confidence in my math abilities that has helped me throughout my education. Not only did I master important skills and gain confidence, though, I also had fun. When I remember Miss C.'s class, it brings a smile to my face. Her dynamic personality and passion for teaching made her class an adventure. The memories of her kindness, sense of humor, and dedication remain strong in my mind to this day, and I am sure that I will never forget her.