Seemingly innocuous words and phrases teachers say can exacerbate students’ math anxiety and perpetuate the notion that some people are just bad at math, according to Rachel Fuhrman, a ninth-grade special education math teacher.⁣ ⁣ “Math teachers take on the even greater responsibility of teaching students to believe in themselves as they tackle content. Small changes to what we say can make that impact a positive one,” Fuhrman writes.⁣ ⁣ To encourage all students to feel comfortable in math class, she suggests avoiding three phrases:⁣ ⁣ 1. This is so easy! When teachers say this about a problem or topic, they “devalue the experience of those students who find it difficult,” which can harm students’ self confidence in the subject. Math class should be a place where kids feel comfortable to make mistakes, are encouraged to ask questions, and “learn to fall in love with discovering the solutions to problems,” notes Fuhrman.⁣ 2. You’re so smart! While giving students positive praise is a...