Gloomy to Glad

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Gloomy to Glad

  • December 11, 2024
  • Posted by: Caitlin McCallum
  • Category: Wow Story
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There are many stories I could share about the many special moments that happen on a regular basis at my school, Redeemer Lutheran School. I will just choose one of many regarding one of my students who is a 5th grader and his accomplishments this year in math class.

I am his math teacher this year. I was not his math teacher last year, but instead, provided him with math support. Last year, I learned as the school year progressed that he was not able to add or subtract with regrouping, multiple numbers, or divide at all. He was not able to add or subtract with zero or one, not knowing even basic math facts. He relied on using his fingers or a number to add or subtract any combination of numbers 100% of the time. His learning disability did and does require multiple stages of teaching and reteaching before he can learn any new skills.

It became clear that he would require a highly modified math class this school year with the goal of hopefully mastering his basic math computational skills. Currently, he is in a math class with one other student in the resource room. I spent the entire first nine weeks with him teaching him how to add with and without regrouping and teaching him his basic addition facts.

Learning is hard for him and at one point he said, “I guess I am just going to be ‘dumb’ my whole life.” It was heartbreaking to hear him say that about himself. He does not get many opportunities to shine academically. He is someone who rarely raises his hand and participates because he does not have much confidence in his abilities.

As the first quarter progressed, I held my breath and said many prayers for him! I cannot remember the last time I so fiercely rooted for a child to finally master a set of skills. He worked hard but with many struggles and setbacks. He would do well one day but only to return the next day to start all over again in his learning and understanding.

By the end of the quarter, it was wonderful to see him finally learn how to add with regrouping and to memorize some of his basic addition facts! It was a relief to know he could continue to learn new concepts. It was a lesson in God’s grace. This young man feels so much pride for himself now that he has finally learned how to add numbers together without any help from anyone else. He loves being able to put aside his number line and to just rely on his memory.

God is good!

~written by Jamie Grace, LSEM Teacher at Redeemer Lutheran School in Verona, PA