Finally, I Know When I Will Use This

My mother never allowed me to play organized sports. It's a regret that I will carry forever.  However, She could not stop me from playing intramural everything. Ultimately, the benefit of intramural soccer was dehydration and smooth flowing beer after kicking around a ball for an hour. These days, as I have turned assisted fast pitch and baseball coach I mow the fields for a dugout ticket and this year state playoff tickets were included for both teams.

Prior to two weeks, I would never have imagined being a coach on a state playoff baseball team, let alone a team that included the boy.  Remember this post from several years ago and now we are together on the same high school team.  The playoff series proved to be too much for our start-up 9-5 (conference record) team and in the end Coach put most of the freshman in the to get some playoff experience.  

The boy played 3 innings in the field at second base and had no chances.  When he came to bat, I got to coach third.  He faced the oppositions closer and fouled off the first pitch. But he was over match by the pitchers 87 mph fast ball and struck out.

Perhaps the pinnacle of teaching high school math is Calculus. As soon as I began teaching calculus, I remembered how much I loved the subject in college.  Only now, I see it through 9 years of teaching experience.  I taught the class twice this year in the fall and in the spring.

There have been an incredible mix of students in those classes:

8 student athletes (4 baseball, 2 boys soccer, 3 girls soccer, 2 swimmers and 1 basketball player)
5 musicians
1 cheer leader
4 sibs of kids I taught prior to this year
2 sisters (1 first semester and 1 second)
28 seniors
26 juniors
1 sophomore
and
the Math High School 2011 valedictorian and today he gave me this letter:

Dear Mathman: 

Thank you for such a wonderful semester in AP Calculus. From constantly correcting your mistakes, your odd jokes and your quirky personality, it has truly been a pleasure finally being able to take a class with you.  I know we were unable to cover much math in class, but I understand why and I sincerely appreciate all the time you put forth for the class. Honestly, I have never seen a teacher put more effort into their students than you.  It is no wonder so many students find you to be their favorite teacher. Thank you so much for an enjoyable semester and for being an excellent teacher. 

The letter actually brought a tear to my eye and I realize that it is time to end the blog because I know "When I Will Use This".

So long everybody...