Then
When I first started teaching the chalk board ruled we didn't have all this fancy stuff. I remember the purple memo graph machine that you had to hand crank. If you wanted to make a test you would stick this carbon stuff in you typewriter and pray you wouldn't make a mistake. I had real issues with not making a mistake. The second year I was teaching our school acquired a computer lab filled with PC's. It was so amazing if you made a typo all you did was back space. Wow Life was Good. Discipline was very different then too. Kids on one hand took their education more seriously. They would never think of not turning in work. A zero on an assignment was just not heard of, kids did their work and that was that. Not don't get me wrong they were not perfect. I had these two friends that I taught 12th grade physics. Well they made "a's " in class but coming to school drunk didn't seem to be such a bad idea. It was close to graduation and here comes John and Will to class, they were so drunk that they couldn't even walk straight. Of course they were caught but why kick them out of school so close to graduation. They had 5 days iss and that was that.
Now
We have computers and parents can track their kids grades on Sam or I grade or what ever program the school system has. You would think kids would not have any zero's. After all the parents can see when a kid hasn't turned in an assignment. Well now a days kids not only don't turn in work, but the system I work for doesn't believe in zeros. We are not allowed to give them a zero because it is too hard to recover from academically. The administration says that it is not a true reflection of what the kid actually knows and its a behavior problem not an academic one. Where in the hell did this philosophy come from. I guess some day when they have a job and don't show up they should tell their boss " I know I wasn't there to take care of the patient, but I know how to do the job so you shouldn't fire me"
Last year I had a student that brought a water bottle to school that smelled of alcohol. She was not very popular and wanted the cool kids to like her s she pretend to be drunk. She of course was caught and breathalyzed. She registered zero alcohol. She was expelled WTF
OK, So in the past the kids did their work but tried silly pranks, today kids do not do their work, but a prank gets you expelled. Which would you like to employ at your work place. Just saying!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Student Teaching / Interesting Questions
Then
It was 1984 when I decided to teach and I was assigned the toughest school in the area. I remember walking into the school by myself. To know me you wouldn't necessarily know that I used to be painfully shy in fact I wasn't quiet sure how I would make it as a teacher. The first task was to find the classroom and my mentor teacher. This task was not necessarily easy since the school was an open campus with several buildings. I felt like I was an impostor was I actually suppose to be there? I really didn't feel like my course work had even remotely prepared me for what I was about to do. Lydia my mentor teacher was about my current age now, she looked at me with skepticism. I just knew she could look right through me and knew I was not ready. All of a sudden she started talking about Echinoderms and Mollusks And that the kids would be dissecting in the coming weeks. I was terrified I couldn't remember what an echinoderm was. I just knew I was in the wrong place. Why would they let someone as dumb as me teach. I did know it was an invertebrate maybe I could go home and study and everything would be alright. I worked so hard that semester and it paid off. I did get an "A" in student teaching and made the dean's list for the first time in my life. One lesson I took away from this experience is that if you truly want to learn something; teach it. You have to know your stuff when explaining something to a kid.
Now
Ok on Friday I was teaching my Seventh graders about the excretory system . I thought it was a simple subject that I could finish within 45 minutes. Well was I ever wrong; seventh graders not only know very little about their bodies but they also are very curious. As you know the urinary system is part of the body that parents call your private parts. This is my first year with seventh graders I have always taught Senior high in the past and kids generally had a good idea of whats going on by then. My seventh graders know nothing. I am not kidding the questions they asked were amusing and refreshing. It started in first period when a kid asked me if you ever urinate blood. I explained that you could have a kidney infection and how it would cause a high fever and blood and puss to discharge. Of course this got their attention and the next comment was enlightening. One of my young ladies said that the pee turns red during her period and comes out the VIGEEE . Oh lord she had know idea there were three openings in the female anatomy. Well as the day went on I continued to correct a million misconceptions. Thank goodness I am not still stuck looking up echinoderms. I feel better about teaching these days. I am never shy in front of my kids, I can even answer some of the toughest questions. Whewwww
Ps Don't worry I know when to tell them to ask their MaMa That came up a couple of times on Friday. I will answer anything about anatomy or physiology but straight up sex questions go to their parents.
It was 1984 when I decided to teach and I was assigned the toughest school in the area. I remember walking into the school by myself. To know me you wouldn't necessarily know that I used to be painfully shy in fact I wasn't quiet sure how I would make it as a teacher. The first task was to find the classroom and my mentor teacher. This task was not necessarily easy since the school was an open campus with several buildings. I felt like I was an impostor was I actually suppose to be there? I really didn't feel like my course work had even remotely prepared me for what I was about to do. Lydia my mentor teacher was about my current age now, she looked at me with skepticism. I just knew she could look right through me and knew I was not ready. All of a sudden she started talking about Echinoderms and Mollusks And that the kids would be dissecting in the coming weeks. I was terrified I couldn't remember what an echinoderm was. I just knew I was in the wrong place. Why would they let someone as dumb as me teach. I did know it was an invertebrate maybe I could go home and study and everything would be alright. I worked so hard that semester and it paid off. I did get an "A" in student teaching and made the dean's list for the first time in my life. One lesson I took away from this experience is that if you truly want to learn something; teach it. You have to know your stuff when explaining something to a kid.
Now
Ok on Friday I was teaching my Seventh graders about the excretory system . I thought it was a simple subject that I could finish within 45 minutes. Well was I ever wrong; seventh graders not only know very little about their bodies but they also are very curious. As you know the urinary system is part of the body that parents call your private parts. This is my first year with seventh graders I have always taught Senior high in the past and kids generally had a good idea of whats going on by then. My seventh graders know nothing. I am not kidding the questions they asked were amusing and refreshing. It started in first period when a kid asked me if you ever urinate blood. I explained that you could have a kidney infection and how it would cause a high fever and blood and puss to discharge. Of course this got their attention and the next comment was enlightening. One of my young ladies said that the pee turns red during her period and comes out the VIGEEE . Oh lord she had know idea there were three openings in the female anatomy. Well as the day went on I continued to correct a million misconceptions. Thank goodness I am not still stuck looking up echinoderms. I feel better about teaching these days. I am never shy in front of my kids, I can even answer some of the toughest questions. Whewwww
Ps Don't worry I know when to tell them to ask their MaMa That came up a couple of times on Friday. I will answer anything about anatomy or physiology but straight up sex questions go to their parents.
The Start of Something New
This is new to me and really a start of a new adventure. First of all I need to make a disclaimer; I am not a good writer but I have been told over the years that I am a good story teller so here it goes:
I have been a science teacher for 17 years . I originally was a forestry major at Louisiana Tech were I met my Husband. At the time I had every intention of joining Smokey the Bear. I really enjoyed forestry and the prospect of working in a male dominated field. I was after all caught up in the idea that women should be competitive with men. I still feel that way but no longer have the desire to prove it to any one. OK, it was the 70's and the equal rights amendment was in full force. Shortly after I was married my husband changed jobs and I transferred to Virginia Tech. During my first year at VT I found myself called to something else. I really believe that you are called to your profession and all you have to do is listen. I no longer had this drive to make higher scores than the males in my class and I also kept thinking about going back to my High School and teaching the students at the school everything I was learning at college. I think that should have been my first clue that I wanted to be a teacher. It took another six months before I had the courage to walk into the Education building and switch my major. I had already been in school four years and about to graduate. Silly me I was only missing two forestry classes. To this day I am not sure why I did not get a double major.
So here I am still teaching school after all these years. I would like to mix this blog up a little and post two stories at a time. One from my earlier teaching career and one contemporary story. To protect the student's you should know my name is not Sue and the student's names will be changed. I have taught in three states and did take a nine year leave of absence to raise my three beautiful daughters. I hove you enjoy the stories. Especially my good friend Cynthia who has asked me to write them down.
I have been a science teacher for 17 years . I originally was a forestry major at Louisiana Tech were I met my Husband. At the time I had every intention of joining Smokey the Bear. I really enjoyed forestry and the prospect of working in a male dominated field. I was after all caught up in the idea that women should be competitive with men. I still feel that way but no longer have the desire to prove it to any one. OK, it was the 70's and the equal rights amendment was in full force. Shortly after I was married my husband changed jobs and I transferred to Virginia Tech. During my first year at VT I found myself called to something else. I really believe that you are called to your profession and all you have to do is listen. I no longer had this drive to make higher scores than the males in my class and I also kept thinking about going back to my High School and teaching the students at the school everything I was learning at college. I think that should have been my first clue that I wanted to be a teacher. It took another six months before I had the courage to walk into the Education building and switch my major. I had already been in school four years and about to graduate. Silly me I was only missing two forestry classes. To this day I am not sure why I did not get a double major.
So here I am still teaching school after all these years. I would like to mix this blog up a little and post two stories at a time. One from my earlier teaching career and one contemporary story. To protect the student's you should know my name is not Sue and the student's names will be changed. I have taught in three states and did take a nine year leave of absence to raise my three beautiful daughters. I hove you enjoy the stories. Especially my good friend Cynthia who has asked me to write them down.
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