How right you are. And not just a great teacher, but also a curriculum that builds a logical foundation step-by-step.
Here's an answer that I have found to what is missing from the American school system:
Khan Academy MathBTW, starting at the beginning of Khan's program and progressing back up the ladder will get the sludge in the brain moving once again and perhaps even ameliorate the mental ravages of aging.
After my father started getting some serious brain fogginess from old age, I used math to help clear up his thinking (I was his caregiver). It was like physical exercise in that he complained every day and every step of the way...but it worked. After a while, he even started to enjoy it. And his thinking and memory got noticeably sharper.
Yes! Music works too. I know an elderly lady who was worried about oncoming Alzheimer's. Although she had never learned to read music or play an instrument she decided to learn how to play piano. She's very good at it and mentally fit again. Learning is good therapy!
Love Khan Academy but I haven’t had time to log in for ages!