As a math teacher with years of experience, I’ve taught hundreds of students. Not all aced my subject — and not all struggled either. Some were naturally inclined towards numbers, while others brought brilliance to fields beyond the classroom.
This blog is inspired by two students who left a mark on me: Naina and Saurabh.
The Story of Naina and Saurabh
Naina was a math wiz — the kind of student every math teacher dreams of. Focused, logical, determined. She scored a perfect 100 in mathematics and topped every exam. She was my pride.
Saurabh, on the other hand, struggled with math. Concepts confused him, numbers danced on the page. But put him on a volleyball court, and he transformed. He aced the game with passion, skill, and unshakable spirit.
Just before the final exams, Saurabh was selected to play in the Volleyball Nationals. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Yet, everyone around him — teachers, guardians, and even well-wishers — advised him to skip the tournament and focus on academics.
But I didn’t.
I told Saurabh, “Go. Play. The Nationals will add colour to your career. We’ll take extra math classes when you’re back.”
He played. He shone.
And true to my word, we sat down for those extra classes when he returned. He didn’t top math. But he just passed, and that was more than enough — because his story didn’t end in the classroom.
Here’s the best part: both Naina and Saurabh got admission to the same college, in the same subject.
Naina got in for her academic brilliance.
Saurabh got in not for marks, but because he represented his state in Volleyball Nationals.
And in that moment, while I was proud of Naina’s perfect math score, I held my head high for Saurabh too. Because this is the beauty of nurturing strengths instead of obsessing over weaknesses.
Let’s Rethink Success
We often fall into the trap of fixing what’s “wrong” with our children. We spend time, money, and energy trying to improve their weak subjects, while ignoring the areas where they naturally shine.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Success doesn’t always look like straight A’s. Sometimes, it looks like scraped knees and shining eyes on a volleyball court.
So, the next time your child struggles with math but excels in sports (or music, coding, gardening, or dance), don’t panic. Don’t force them to drop what they love just to chase what they lack.
Feed what they love. That’s how we raise not just successful children, but fulfilled human beings.
“If a child excels at volleyball but struggles with math, most get a math tutor. I say—get a volleyball coach. Why dim their shine trying to fix what doesn’t sparkle?”
Let’s be the parents and teachers who spot the spark and fuel it, instead of chasing every gap