MAD MATH DAYS

My former student's name is Jan Bloom. She was in her late thirties when

 she became a student of mine. I noticed from the onset of our

relationship  that she was an intelligent woman who lacked self confidence. When we

first started working together I noticed she was very apprehensive about

doing math.

 I self disclosed stories about my "mad math days" to her and she relaxed a

 bit to the point where she could work without hyperventilating.

The following weeks she worked very hard.  I saw her developing her skills

 and saw her self confidence increase. During those weeks, we had

 conversations about her life. I found out she was raising three children

 on her own ( two teenagers, and a nine year old) and working.. I discussed

 with her my admiration of all the skills she possessed. She seemed

 surprised! I told her that it took "mad" skills to raise three children,

manage a household, hold down a full time job, and attend school in the

 evenings. She said she had never thought about it in those terms. From

 that time forward, she became more dedicated in reaching her goal of

earning a GED.

When the date of the test drew near, I said, "Ms. Bloom! You are ready to

 take your state GED test". She immediately got the panic look on her

face.

 She wanted to know if she was really ready. I told her that yes she was

 ready and that I expected to see her on test day. She was very nervous

 about the testing, especially about the math. I walked her down the hall

where the testing takes place and she went in.

Approximately, 5 weeks later I received a call from her telling me that

she  had received her diploma in the mail!-her very first attempt . She couldn't

 believe it! She was all prepared to have to take a few sections of the

test over again. We met, talked, and celebrated her accomplishment!

 While she was still in class, she used to talk about a dream of hers -

 going to college. I completely supported her (I was an adult -30 yrs.

 old- when I began college myself.) That fall semester, she enrolled in

 Chandler -Gilbert Community College. We kept in touch so that she could

tell me how she was doing.

 As of Spring, 2003, this student and her 19 yr. old daughter are attending

 Mesa Community College together.

 During a staff meeting, we were handed an application from the Soroptomist

 Club to nominate a woman for a scholorship.. I called Jan to see if she

 was interested in applying. She stated that yes, she would be interested

 so we met and completed the application. Several weeks later she calls me

 to say that she was chosen to receive a $2,000.00 scholorship to pay

and/or supplement expenses while attending college! We both screamed and yelled

 on the phone.

 The award ceremony was wonderful. There she stood with four other women

who were being honored for their accomplishments. She could not believe

 she was standing there in the company of "those brillant women".

 We still keep in touch and she still struggles. But now she has hopes and

 goals to keep her eyes focused on.

Submitted by Bettie Julkes 5-15-03