Stretching and Growing

A friend I rarely see came to a party I attended at the beginning of the year. As she was explaining her progress in school, she asked for help with a college statistics class. She described how she needed this class in order to go forward toward a BS in Business. Although I cringe whenever I hear a statistical term, I offered to tutor her if she really wouldn't pass the class without help. 


So, for most of the month of January, I coached my friend as she "mastered" the chapters in her statistics class together. What a trip down memory lane! She is completing her schooling through a reputable online university, and much of the learning requires extensive self-teaching. 


Have you known anyone who is afraid of math? I find this happens often with women. Leslie is one of those women who is intelligent and capable, but is really frightened about math. 


I feel very lucky about the education I have been able to receive, even from the youngest age. We were going over a problem and I was remembering seeing the concept of a number line for the first time in school (New Math) when I was in first grade. My friend has no such memory. 


Do you have a phobia about math, or know someone who does? How does it affect you?