March 14, 3:00pm: As I was preparing to enter the classroom, Anna stopped me: ‘Ms Tammy, at 3:09, could you give us one minute?’ Realising it was Pi (π) Day, I said: ‘Not a problem!’ Seeing them so excited, I put aside the Chinese textbook aside in anticipation of their moment.
I seized the opportunity to tell them the story of how Chinese mathematician and astronomer Zu Chongzhi made an impressive calculation of Pi simply by laying out a pile of wooden sticks, adding that in their efforts to pursue better answers and a greater truth, it’s important that they stay motivated and hungry for knowledge. After the story, I began to share the notes from the previous class, when someone shouted: ‘It’s already past 3:09!’ Everyone burst into laughter. In listening to my story, the moment they had been waiting for had gone unnoticed, but it was in that very moment that I saw each and every one of them stay completely focused on the task at hand. I told them I was proud of them, and let them celebrate an even greater moment.
Tammy Zhang, Chinese Teacher
