Feynman Knew Nothing About Math

Read this older NY Times book review of "Wise Man" (a collection of Richard Feynman's letters) while I was on vacation and thought of my school committee duties when I read this:

The title of this book is taken from a letter that Feynman wrote for the California State Curriculum Commission, in which he appraised the science textbooks to be used in elementary schools. His son, Carl, was then three years old, due to go to elementary school three years later and learn from the textbooks. Feynman spent much time and effort reading textbooks and pointing out their deficiencies. He also examined the teachers' manuals that came with the textbooks. The manuals were supposed to explain the material in the textbooks so that teachers could teach it intelligently. Feynman was especially critical of the manuals.

Can you imagine?! Richard-freaking-FEYNMAN reviewing your science curriculum?! Awesome. But wait, it gets better:

He was particularly concerned that teachers using the manuals might penalize children who came up with original ways of solving problems. This actually happened many years later when Michelle was in high school and was penalized for going off the beaten track to solve an algebra problem. When Feynman went to the school to complain, the teacher accused him of knowing nothing about math.

!!!