"It's true. I struggled. I really did," Kathie explains, as she explains why she didn't like math when she was her student's age. "I had the type of teacher that would put the problem up on the board and say, here's one example, now do your homework."

She eventually found a tutor who helped her get past all of the numbers and confusion–by explaining why the math equations actually are important in everyday life.

Not only did it change her viewpoint of math, but it had a huge impact her life. She decided to share that with others. Now as a teacher, she is determined to help students get past the hurdle to see the importance of math. "I try to make it real world," Ms. Yocum-Greene explains. "Last week we were working on quadratics and they were like, 'why do we need to know a graph of a parabola.' I said, ' if you're ever watching a football game and you see the kick off? It's a parabola. If you ever see a fly ball in baseball, it's a parabola.' Really you can measure the height of a parabola, the velocity and everything is related."

Oftentimes, it's hands on activities that help the students see past the normal text book and lectures. "It's a fun class because she doesn't sit around and talk the whole time. She does activities and stuff so it's fun," one student said.

Beyond the breakthroughs in the classroom, Ms. Yocum-Greene also connects with kids after class too. "I try to show the kids that I'm here for them. You always remember that teacher in school that cares and the teacher works for you."

She often goes to students' afterschool activities and sporting events to support them. "If I'm involved, they'll take an even bigger part of their learning.

Please join 9NEWS, CollegeInvest and Metropolitan State College in saluting Kathie Yocum-Greene, the 9Teacher Who Cares for March 2008.