Bismillah.
For the past four weeks, I have been working as a math college assistant or TA at John Jay College (CUNY) [Thank you Miss Radhika Chugh]. In a short time, as usual, I've become attached. Although most of my students are entering freshmen, there are moments when I feel incredibly old. For example, when I look at math problems like systems of equations, and basic algebra from junior high school, I feel overwhelmed by the educational gap. They are surprised to learn that I am a Philosophy major and not a math major. "But you're so good at math," they insist. I want to say, "No, y'all are just very bad at math." Instead, I say, "I've had a really good foundation, so I just remember everything."
There are other times that the age gap is nonexistent because of my late birthday. For example, Ivan Perez, a handsome (Virgo) boy of 19, sits in the back staring at math problems until the answers magically appear before his eyes. He writes in pencil, with small, soft letters. We make each other laugh. I attack his cockiness, and he defends it. It's a good cycle. Yesterday, he talked about his young girlfriend of 18. The last person to offer girlfriend advice, I nevertheless shared my simple thoughts with him. In fact, I described to him why being a good math student is not unlike being a good boyfriend. Here's why:
1. Both math and girls require effort and hard work.
2. "Math is not a spectator sport"--Professor Toplan. I would add: Women are not for spectatorship.
3. Math and girls (or relationships) require time. You must be willing to set aside time to practice with them each day, or every other day, or as frequently as possible.
4. Both math and girls require great ingenuity. You must often be creative in generating solutions to problems that arise.
5. Both require patience.
6. You should be willing to try a variety of problems. Likewise, you should be willing to try a variety of girls.
I jotted these notes in his notebook, which is empty because he does not see the need to take notes. Cockiness, in fact, is a prevalent attitude in many of the boys I've met here. I find it amusing. In my second period class, Nifa (another student) and I have renamed one of the boys Anger Man and Cocky Boy. He sits in the corner with his rap music turned up extremely high, not being overtly disrepectful to Professor Chugh, but not being respectful either. I had a talk with him about his lack of effort, more as his older sister than a TA. I realized he attitude is more a manifestation of his boredom than anything else. He asked me to transfer to John Jay.
I like the fuzzy roles I play in these classrooms, as a friend, motivator, and tutor to these students.
For the past four weeks, I have been working as a math college assistant or TA at John Jay College (CUNY) [Thank you Miss Radhika Chugh]. In a short time, as usual, I've become attached. Although most of my students are entering freshmen, there are moments when I feel incredibly old. For example, when I look at math problems like systems of equations, and basic algebra from junior high school, I feel overwhelmed by the educational gap. They are surprised to learn that I am a Philosophy major and not a math major. "But you're so good at math," they insist. I want to say, "No, y'all are just very bad at math." Instead, I say, "I've had a really good foundation, so I just remember everything."
There are other times that the age gap is nonexistent because of my late birthday. For example, Ivan Perez, a handsome (Virgo) boy of 19, sits in the back staring at math problems until the answers magically appear before his eyes. He writes in pencil, with small, soft letters. We make each other laugh. I attack his cockiness, and he defends it. It's a good cycle. Yesterday, he talked about his young girlfriend of 18. The last person to offer girlfriend advice, I nevertheless shared my simple thoughts with him. In fact, I described to him why being a good math student is not unlike being a good boyfriend. Here's why:
1. Both math and girls require effort and hard work.
2. "Math is not a spectator sport"--Professor Toplan. I would add: Women are not for spectatorship.
3. Math and girls (or relationships) require time. You must be willing to set aside time to practice with them each day, or every other day, or as frequently as possible.
4. Both math and girls require great ingenuity. You must often be creative in generating solutions to problems that arise.
5. Both require patience.
6. You should be willing to try a variety of problems. Likewise, you should be willing to try a variety of girls.
I jotted these notes in his notebook, which is empty because he does not see the need to take notes. Cockiness, in fact, is a prevalent attitude in many of the boys I've met here. I find it amusing. In my second period class, Nifa (another student) and I have renamed one of the boys Anger Man and Cocky Boy. He sits in the corner with his rap music turned up extremely high, not being overtly disrepectful to Professor Chugh, but not being respectful either. I had a talk with him about his lack of effort, more as his older sister than a TA. I realized he attitude is more a manifestation of his boredom than anything else. He asked me to transfer to John Jay.
I like the fuzzy roles I play in these classrooms, as a friend, motivator, and tutor to these students.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete-good premise...the characters introduced are intriguing...however, I feel that the main thread of the piece, the correlation between math and females, could have been drawn a bit stronger from beginning to end...i feel like near the end it was lost--you did not follow through or tie it up at the end...furthermore, the listing of the comparisons between girls and math--though interesting--could have been more varied...many of them sound similar, and could have been given more effort. Overall, I applaud this piece of writing. Maybe next time all the pieces of the equation will come together for a more favorable solution.
ReplyDeletepeace,
Musa
(commented under durress)