“I’m not a math person” or “I just don’t get the ‘new’ math!” are common statements made by many adults. Gentle reminder — there are no ‘math people’ nor is math inherited like blue eyes. Kids who believe there are ‘math people’ may give less effort to learning math, believing that grit and practice will not help. If you are not a math person, it’s OK to fail. Yikes! 
Everyone has Learning Gaps – students and adults. Learning is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Each student learns in a different way, possesses different strengths and has different needs. One thing that applies to all students, regardless of background, age, or ability: Students need learning experiences that speak to where they are and where they need to go to achieve mastery.
Individualizing instruction and differentiation are keys to addressing learning gaps for students. In the classroom, teachers can differentiate lessons to meet student needs. Individualized tutoring in small sessions with planned curriculum is key to finding and filling gaps.