For as long as I can remember math has been my WORST subject. When I was was in high school I would sit and cry over my math homework because I couldn't understand it. No teacher ever took the time to work with me, they told my parents that I wasn't doing my work, I wasn't taking the time to learn the material and ultimately my school was telling me that the best path for me would be vocational school.

I began to think I was stupid and not smart enough for college. Then my senior year rolled around and I was put in to Dean Shanower's (Lakeview High School, OH) classroom for my 7th period math class. I HATED math at this point and wasn't really sure that I could even handle the class because every teacher before acted like I was stupid.

The first test of the class rolled around and I failed it with flying colors... but something different happened this time. Shan (Dean Shanower) pulled me aside and worked through every problem one by one and then let me retake the test. I got a B. What? A B? Yep. That rarely ever happened.

From then on every homework assignment, every question I ever had he sat down with me and explained it. I got a B in the class for that first quarter and then after that A's for the the rest of the year. My confidence in my math skills were through the roof and well as my self esteem. I really wasn't stupid, I just needed someone who was willing to take the extra time with me.

Now I am in college and a straight A student. I took my first college math class and was MORE than prepared. To this day, my teacher and I still stay in contact and if i have any math questions or any kind of question at all he is just a phone call away. It's crazy how one person can make such a huge difference in your education. These are the types of teachers that really care for their students and their success.