Author:
When I was young in China, I believe that if I worked hard, I would be the best in school. My teachers always said, ” Work hard, and you will be number one.” So, I studied late every night, even until 1 a.m. in middle and high school. But no matter how hard I tried, I never got the first place. I felt so frustrated. In my final year of high school. I asked my math teacher why I wasn’t the best. She said, ” You are not that smart, for students like you, this is a great grade.” That moment changed me – I stopped blaming myself for not being first.
This experience taught me that success is different for everyone. I worked hard, but the teaching style did not fit me . Universal Design for Learning( UDL) could have helped. UDL suggests teachers should use different ways to teach, like videos or activities, so all students can learn (Rose, D, 2000). If my teachers hadn’t just stressed the importance of hard work. I would not torn myself in my whole school days. I am a math teacher, I always make it clear to students that I will give as high markers as possible, not just for effort itself, but for how much knowledge they master.
One challenge with UDL is that it takes times to plan. To fix it, teachers are encouraged to design some simple activities. As a future teacher who is responsible for discovering students’ strength and weakness, and more choices should be given to students. This way, all students can learn in a way that works for them, even they learn slowly or like different things. All in all, UDL can make students feel included and supported.
Reference
Rose, D. (2000). Universal design for learning. Journal of Special Education Technology, 15(4), 47-51.
Hi Weili,
It is tough when you give your all but still feel like it is not enough, especially when teachers reinforce the idea that only being “number one” matters. That comment from your math teacher must have been a tough moment, but it is inspiring how you turned it into a learning experience instead of letting it break you.
Your reflection on UDL makes so much sense. Not every student learns the same way, and just working hard is not always enough if the teaching style does not match how you learn best. It is amazing that, as a math teacher, you focus on what students actually understand rather than just their effort. That kind of mindset can take so much pressure off students and help them learn in a way that actually works for them. You are right, UDL can be time-consuming to implement, but even small changes, like offering different ways to engage with material, can make a huge difference.
Remember it is okay to be average. Not everyone can be best, but when people strive to be the best and do not attain it, sometimes they will feel bad about themselves. However, you have been very successful as a math teacher even though you weren’t the best in the class. 😊