The first thing you should know is that my #1 strength on StrengthsQuest is Achiever. That said, grades are important to me. I strive for excellence and am visibly upset when it is not achieved. Mathematics is the subject that made me redefine the term “excellence”. Over the years I have learned to be proud of myself when it comes to math because it is a difficult subject and a B is still excellent. But it wasn't always like this. I remember staying after class at primary school to ask a teacher for help because I couldn't get the materials. I remember countless days spent in my teacher's classroom studying mathematics trying to understand something that others perceived as so simple yet so complex in my mind. When I was younger my mindset was “I hate math and math hates me, so why do I even try?” I also preferred to be taught math only when it was practical. I hated when my teacher told me to read a chapter in my math book and learn the information by reading instead of doing work on the board. By middle school, things were only worse. In sixth grade, I was dropped from the honors class to the regular pre-algebra class mid-semester and it took a toll on my confidence. I knew I was struggling, but I didn't think I was that horrible. The whole situation was sudden. One day I was called out of class and told I was no longer in honors math. After enrolling in the regular course, I was getting straight A's and felt challenged, which confused me even more. I spent the next two years of middle school taking regular math courses, fighting with my counselor to try to come back with honors because I knew I could do it. In high school I was more determined to prove myself. I started freshman year with flying colors… in the middle of paper… in the real world today. Not to mention, it is essential that students are able to discuss, redefine, and critique their own and others' understanding of mathematics and ideas. Past experiences also frame my thinking by letting me know why what I should do when it comes to my classroom when I begin my teaching career. I know how to validate students' feelings when it comes to math, I know how to help students who are struggling (equity, not equality), and I can help whenever I can. It's important to show students that you care about math, even if you don't, because the way your students see you interacting and talking about math influences their thinking. I've realized that I'm a hands-on learner, so my ideal classroom will have math posters and posters of other specific topics. Math was more effective for me if I was able to use my hands and actually see the work done in front of me and solve it.