Merryville High School math teacher Sarah Schecher wants to foster a love for the subject in her students.

She enjoys mathematics because it is “logical, linear and never subjective.” Her motivation to become a math teacher was fueled by hope to shift students’ perspectives on math, a notoriously unpopular subject.

“I figured that if I could impact my students by changing how they view math in a positive way, even if only for a few, then that would be my contribution to the world.”

Originally from Wichita Falls, Texas, she has always been a lover of learning. Her experience with education was positive thanks to teachers who encouraged her love of learning.

This love is no surprise. Schecher comes from a family of teachers. Her mom taught special education for more than 30 years, and she has several great-aunts and cousins who were teachers and administrators.

She graduated from Holiday High School with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Texas A&M University. She originally pursued a degree in engineering but switched over because she realized the math component was what she enjoyed.

Now settled in DeRidder, she teaches several math courses to ninth- through 12th-grade Merryville students — algebra 2, geometry, advanced mathematics, dual enrollment college algebra, dual enrollment statistics and dual enrollment trigonometry.

She has also taught several different math classes at Palmer and Robert G. Cole high schools in Texas, and Waynesville High School in Missouri.

She is also the senior Beta Club sponsor, student council sponsor and high school liaison for Merryville’s instructional leadership team.

As a high school teacher, Schecher meets students at the threshold of adulthood. Witnessing them mature into young adults is her favorite part of her profession.

“I get a front-row seat to their metamorphosis, watching what kind of special individuals will soon be entering our society.”

The “growth mindset” is encouraged in her classroom to make math as “painless as possible,” she said. Her students know that any amount of progress in math is worth celebrating.

“Not everyone is strong in every single subject, which is one of the many things that highlight our individuality. But we can all progress and become better, even the slightest bit.”

With a friendly, relaxed, open-minded attitude, she gets along well with her students. Her aim is for students to feel welcome so they are more willing to learn, and to build relationships with her students to position them for well-rounded success.

“I like that I can have real-world conversations with students of this age, hopeful that I can make a positive difference in their lives in more than just math.”

In a subject like math, reaching students’ real-life applications helps the subject matter stick. The purpose of a school is to show students how to be functioning members of society, teaching them foundational knowledge that will be used in their day-to-day lives, she said.

Without an education system that teaches the whole child (and future adult), modern society is at risk, she said. She believes that education has a direct impact on the economy, safety and quality-of-life of entire communities.

“Without education, our community, our entire society, would fall apart. How can we as a civilization evolve and improve without the benefits of education and learning?”

Schecher’s greatest pieces of advice for her peers are to not teach to the test, find one good thing a day, never be afraid to ask for help and to have fun.

“No one wants to learn from a teacher who hates their job.”