First off, congratulations on making it to Pre-Calculus! (Suckers.) For the most part, students in this class (YOU) are highly motivated individuals who take a proactive roll in their education and plan to attend college after graduating. You’ve already taken control of your schooling by choosing to take an advanced college-level math class. For some of you, you’re going to excel, but for others this may be the first time you’ve truly struggled in a class. Hopefully, this blog will help everyone involved who needs an extra push forward.
I’d taken Pre-Calculus as a junior at Tillamook High School—and it was over my head. My previous teachers in Geometry and Algebra 2 had been very attentive and had acted like a safety net when any of us became confused—they would rescue us instantaneously. That turned out to be part of my problem in Pre-Calculus. I had been saved from drowning without being taught how to swim. Even though I easily passed those classes, I was not an organized student and as far from math savvy as you could be. I was overwhelmed the first day by the ‘simplest’ subjects and by this loud, crazy teacher that definitely had a more sink-or-swim attitude. Most of my friends were in this class and I was frightened to death of looking stupid. I hardly spoke the first eight weeks before eventually failing my midterm.
That D was like a slap in the face. This couldn’t continue—I wouldn’t let it. I knew I could pass and I recognized I could work harder. Daisy Romero, one of my best friends, was in a similar position and we both made up our minds to pass Pre-Calculus. I forced myself to start asking questions, no matter how simple or silly they seemed. We began coming in during the mornings every day for the rest of the year to study, review, ask questions, and get extra problems—I know. Who wants extra homework? We did. Each day was a new situation—what if we did it this way, what if that happened, how would this look? And that loud, crazy teacher—we drove him nuts. (But he put up with it--even if he did threaten to kick me out of his room once.)
We worked our butts off and finally the end of the year came along with our final grade. Don’t worry—we both passed with Bs. Not our best grades, but I’m prouder of that 87.6% than any A I’ve ever received.
I would have killed for a resource that provided class notes, extra problems, and assignments. Mr. Radcliffe had been a huge help and has become one of the top three most important teachers I've ever had, so during my senior year I didn't hesitate to suggest a math blog to Mr. Radcliffe. He's constantly trying to improve his teaching and immediately latched onto the idea.
This is for you. All the time and effort spent to make this is for you. Each of you is going to hit a rough spot and I want you to stay afloat. Ask questions. Use your resources.
Fail. Fail again. Fail better.
Sydney Smith
Class of 2012
