Posted in Growth on Jan 19th, 2009 1 Comment »
Last week in my Equity and Diversity class there was a heated discussion about what factors influence students’ academic success most. Race/ethnicity? Money? Parent influence? It was interesting hearing my classmates talk so passionately about what they believed in.
But there was something going on that made me uncomfortable. Rather than listening and trying to learn [...]
Posted in First-Year, Growth, Reflections, Struggles on Dec 7th, 2008 5 Comments »
Teaching geometry during my first year felt like one long trial run. It was my first time teaching content, my first time encountering common misconceptions, my first time exploring what kind of lessons would be most engaging and effective. It was difficult to anticipate where we’d take a wrong turn, to pinpoint what works and [...]
Posted in Growth, Quotable Dialogue, Random Meanderings, Shout Outs on Dec 3rd, 2008 1 Comment »
It seems we ST folk are collectively paralyzed, or maybe tis’ the season for teachers to experience writer’s block? I blame it on the weather… or:
One contributor and I spoke excitedly a few months ago on the topic of our site’s recent success. And by success, I mean increased readership. I pin this on dy/dan, [...]
Posted in First-Year, Growth, Teacher Perks on Oct 9th, 2008 1 Comment »
Mondays and Wednesdays are my lighter days of the week. After my hour long commute from Queens through Manhattan into the Bronx (that’s a total of 3 boroughs a day!) I arrive at my school to be greeted by my (mostly) wonderful students. And, instead of teaching, for the first 97 minute period of the [...]
Posted in Growth, Reflections, Struggles, Summer on Oct 3rd, 2008 2 Comments »
One major gripe I have with teaching is that it simply takes over. Of course, this is also a good thing. Our work brings purpose far greater than anything we’ve seen, requiring that we extend ourselves to heights we once never conceived. But at this moment, I’m bitter. From Monday to Friday, I’m none other [...]
Posted in First-Year, Growth, Struggles on Sep 21st, 2008 No Comments »
I knew that teaching would be an emotional roller coaster, but I had no idea the twists and turns would be this frequent.
Monday: I had a good start to the week.
Tuesday: I approached break point #1.
I finished my last class of the day with a little bit of time to spare. So, I gave my [...]
Posted in Advice, Growth, Methods, Struggles, Teaching is Collaborative on Sep 18th, 2008 No Comments »
It’s undeniable that this profession feels highly unsustainable. This past summer, I asked a veteran teacher if he intended to teach for life. He hesitate for a bit… “I don’t know about forever. Teaching really is a burnout profession.” Sometimes I feel the same way, sometimes I don’t. Like an ex-ex-roommate once said “anything worth [...]
Posted in Growth, Uncategorized on Aug 31st, 2008 1 Comment »
That’s what it feels like -but not in a bad way. I started student teaching this week and so far, it has been GREAT. (I can practically see your eyes rolling right now!) “She’s totally in the honeymoon phase,” right? But I don’t think that’s the case. I’m definitely not saying “clear sailing all the [...]
Posted in Advice, First-Year, Growth, Methods, Uncategorized on Aug 21st, 2008 3 Comments »
Things are about to get crazy busy for us teachers. I’d say the busiest time of the year is the first few months. My OTF advisor last year shared that it feels like an uphill battle up until Thanksgiving break. Once break hits, the rest of the year feels like a downhill slope. I recall [...]
