Algebra I may not be everyone’s favorite subject, but in Abigail Fox’s classroom, Algebra I is more than just numbers and worksheets. It is about trying your best, learning from mistakes, and building confidence.

Fox became a teacher because she was inspired at a young age. Her grandmother was a teacher, and that had a big impact on her. When Fox was little, she would visit her grandmother’s school. She remembers walking through the hallways and hearing stories about the students and lessons. She said it all sounded exciting and meaningful. Even then, she began imagining herself as a teacher someday.

When Fox got to high school, her dream grew stronger. She said she had incredible teachers, especially in mathematics and music, who helped her understand difficult lessons and encouraged her to keep going when things felt hard. They believed in her, and that made a big difference in her life. Because of them, she decided she wanted to become a teacher too. She hoped to support students the same way her teachers had supported her.

Today, Fox teaches Algebra I and works hard to support her students every day.

“My favorite part about teaching math is when students are struggling or have struggled a lot in math and they finally figure it out and are successful,” said Fox. She knows that many students feel like they are “bad at Algebra,” but she disagrees. She believes anyone can improve with practice and effort. She said she especially loves the moment when a student finally understands something they were stuck on. After working through the problem step by step, seeing that understanding click into place makes her proud. Watching students smile and feel confident reminds her why she chose this career.

Even though she loves teaching, there are challenges. One of the biggest challenges is that students learn at different speeds. In one class, some students may understand a lesson right away, while others need extra help or more time to practice. Some students always try their hardest, while others may struggle to stay focused. Balancing all of this can be difficult.

To handle this, Fox adjusts how she teaches. If students do not understand something the first time she explains a concept, she switches things up. She may break the problem into smaller steps or use examples to make the problem clearer. She often provides different kinds of assignments and activities to meet students’ needs. Sometimes students work in groups so they can help each other. Other times, they work independently to practice on their own. Fox said she does this so every student has a chance to succeed and improve in her class.

Fox’s advice to students is simple: “Always try no matter what, even when things get difficult.” She says that even when Algebra feels frustrating, students should not give up. She says that trying is the most important thing, and it’s okay to get the wrong answer sometimes—mistakes are part of learning. What matters is putting in effort and asking for help when needed.

Another thing Fox wants students to understand is that teachers truly care. They spend time planning lessons, grading work, and finding ways to help students improve. If a student is struggling, teachers notice and look for ways to support them.

“Teachers are always thinking about and caring about their students. Your teachers always want you to succeed,” said Fox.