An open letter to a former math teacher

Let me introduce you to some wonderful kids.

First, there's Kyla, a 17-year-old whitewater rafting guide. She is also a book lover, so much so that she works part-time at the library and is considering a degree in library science. We don't see as much of her as we'd like, because her social life is very full and Patrick is very cute. She is gracious and friendly and loyal and fun.

Next, there's MJ, who just turned 15 and is eagerly anticipating the start of driver's ed next month. She's a vegetarian animal lover who volunteers twice a week at a horse rescue place; they love her there and have awarded her "rank" over their other volunteers. She's a beautiful writer, has very un-Maier-like penmanship (she can write in italics!), and knows more about music than anybody I know.

14-year-old Logan (aka "The Great God Logan") is a knight-in-training with the SCA. He loves manga and XBox and hanging out with friends. He's writing a comic book, loves horror movies, and wants to teach everybody how to play Magic. He's kind of a picky eater, but we all bow down to his greatness anyway. He flings himself into whatever fun presents itself, and he is always ready to laugh.

Chloe is a creative force and has spent most of her 13 years writing, drawing, telling stories, and imagining. She can talk faster than most of us can listen, has more faith in her little finger than I have in my whole body, and feels the injustices of the world quite keenly. She's something of a loner until she's in the mood to socialize, and then she's an effortlessly sociable creature. Small kids love her, because she hasn't forgotten how to pretend.

Hunter (12) is our athlete. If it involves running, jumping, swimming, batting, throwing, dodging, or shooting, Hunter is your man. He's sensitive and sweet, accepts you as you are, and always tries to be accommodating. Like his big brother, he is a talented gamer and an apprentice knight with the SCA, but he prefers anime to horror movies.

Michelle is also 12. She is passionate about gaming and often carries her DS and games with her in a special purse. She's teaching me Pokemon characters, but I'm a little slow. She is crazy about horses in general and rides a Clydesdale for her lessons. She has firm "self boundaries" and expects them to be respected, loves to talk, loves to win, and loves to drive dad's driving simulator.

These are the kids you had in your wagon at the corn maze last Thursday. These are the kids who couldn't (or perhaps wouldn't) tell you what 8x7 is. These are the kids you quizzed, judged, and criticized, and at the same time ignored.

What do you think you learned about these kids that day? Can you tell me which of them do math for fun? Can you tell me which of them use math every day? Can you tell me which of them score well on standardized math tests? I very much doubt it. You can't judge mathematical competence by a person's ability to do turn-the-crank parlor tricks.

More importantly, can you tell me a single one of them who enjoyed your company that day and wasn't thrilled to have that wagon ride over with? I very much doubt it.