Breaking the “I’m Not a Math Person” Myth

We have all heard it before: “I’m just not a math person.” Maybe you have even said it yourself. It rolls off the tongue so easily, but behind those words is a powerful mindset, one that can limit students before they even pick up a pencil.

The truth is, there is no such thing as a “math person” and a “not-math person.” What exists are learners who have been given opportunities to build confidence, and learners who have not. The phrase often comes from years of frustration: a wrong answer marked in red, a concept that never clicked, or a class that moved too fast. Over time, those experiences shape a story students tell themselves: I am not good at math, so why even try?

This is where a Growth Mindset makes the difference.

A Growth Mindset says that ability is not fixed; it can be developed through effort, strategy, and the right support. For teachers, this means shifting the focus from “Did you get it right?” to “What strategies did you use? What can we try differently?” It is about celebrating persistence, not just perfection.

Here is the irony: some of the most creative problem solvers are the ones who once thought they were “bad” at math. Why? Because struggling forced them to think in different ways. With the right guidance, those struggles can turn into strengths.

At Math Matters Consulting™, we help teachers tap into that potential. When educators are equipped to foster a Growth Mindset in their classrooms, they help students rewrite the story they tell themselves. Suddenly, “I’m not a math person” becomes “I can learn this with practice.”

And that small shift from fear to confidence — Game Changer!

Photo of a small plant in a flower pot. A sign is beside it that reads difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.