Algebra

I was blessed to have so many outstanding teachers in elementary, junior high, and high school.

There is one that stands out. Mrs. Flaig was my eighth grade algebra teacher who helped me take my first step academically and mathematically.

Back then (1972), you were a smartie if you took eighth grade algebra. Mrs. Flaig had a reputation for being a very demanding teacher. No nonsense. Strict. Very strict.

The class was arranged in five rows of five wooden side-desk chairs. Each day, she would call a row and a column, and we would dutifully go to the front or side chalkboards to do an assigned problem. Those who’s rows or columns weren’t called had to check the work of those at the board. If either failed, we heard about it.

I rarely failed. I loved the problems and the solutions. I loved the equations, the variables, the graphs, and the solutions. Mrs. Flaig demanded much, recognized elegant solutions, and encouraged us to work hard.

Mrs. Flaig let me know in no uncertain terms that I was good at math. Her encouragement was all I needed to launch me into a world of mathematics. I was the best in the class in algebra. I loved ninth grade geometry. I was passionate about high school math. When I went to college I majored in mathematics. My brain was wired for math.

Mrs. Flaig guided me into an academic world of math and science that continued through college and my first job in computer programming. While I spent my career in pastoral ministry, I have always approached life through the eyes of a mathematician, with a constant eye toward patterns, series, equations, and variables.

Thank you, Mrs. Flaig.