Chapter 10: Challenges, Surprises, and Successes

It was my second of year teaching and we were having parent-teacher conferences. As I welcomed the parents and showed them where to sit, I noticed that the focus was not on the student we were there to discuss. The parents were looking at me, questioning my understanding of the material that I was teaching their child. The mom kept referring to her husband as “the smart one” and stating how much he understands mathematics and she doesn’t. As I tried to redirect the conversation, the husband stopped me and challenged me with a riddle that he put on my desk. “Here figure this out!” Annoyed, I looked down; I had seen it before. I had a flashback and could see myself sitting in my undergraduate program’s monthly seminar. I could hear the presenter’s voice, how could 2=1, it can’t! I knew the answer and I answered the question with no hesitation. The proof involved the illegal operation of dividing both sides of the equation by zero. I could see eyes light up when I knew the answer; there was a new level of respect. “Is she right? Is she right?” asked the wife as the husband sat there amazed, replying, “How did you get the answer so fast?” I could now continue with my parentteacher conference with a big smile across my face. I was a teacher who really understood mathematics in this parent’s eyes. I understood the material and was now a part of a “secret club.” This parent was now willing to listen to me and not only respected my opinion but me as a professional.