Let The Teaching Begin

I took last semester off.  I was lazy and wanted to avoid the cold, and truthfully, I was hoping I wouldn't miss teaching.  I was wrong.  I did work occasionally, covering classes for teachers who were out and I loved it.  Subbing in the college is great.  The administration only expects me to do my job in the classroom, nothing more.  I teach everything from remedial math to statistics and advanced calculus.  The students are responsive and appreciative and I can make more money in two hours than I would make subbing a whole day in a city school. But, I missed my own class.

Last Thursday was the first day of the fall semester.  As usual, the thought of having to move to get there did not make me happy but once in I felt that old adrenaline rush.  The first thing I noticed was a real black board.  Only old timers like me can understand the thrill of chalk dust flying.  I just have to remember to bring a rag to wash the board down before class.  Although the school does clean boards daily, mine is the last one of the day so it is pretty bad when I get there.  My students seem nice and motivated.  Several remembered me from classes I covered in the past, one remembered me from Packemin and another told me he took my class because his cousin said I was a great teacher.  I don't know how true that is but it was nice to hear.

My teaching day is from 8 PM to 10 PM this term.  I am sure I will be bitching every night as I get ready to go but smiling as soon as I park my car and walk towards my class. I will stop working one day, probably take the winter off again but I won't give it up for good any time in the near future.  It is great dong something I love, having fun and getting paid

Back In The Saddle

I was sorry I decided to go back to work.  Planning a lesson is not fun.  And then, when I had to turn down a trip to wine country because I had to work I really got pissed at myself.

In spite of all this, when the phone rang asking me to do a coverage today before my class, I immediately said yes and then kicked myself again as I had to put away my Nook and head out the door to class. But, when I walked out of the door with that familiar bag thrown over my shoulder, my mood changed.  Instead of a weight, I felt wings.  I walked into a class of primarily freshman, remedial math students who were eager to start their college career.To have an attentive group listening to me and to watch the expression of a woman who finally got it was wonderful.  My only regret was that I would not be with that particular group again.

After a quick dinner with my husband, I went back to teach my own class.Two and a half hours later, I walked out, exhausted, wondering how I ever managed to teach nights after working full days and feeling great, looking forward to my next classes on Wednesday, two at my new school and one here.

Money Saving Idea



Senior year is important to kids, all kids.  I heard someone suggest we do away with this year as a way to save money, but, I vehemently disagree with this penny pinching way to educate.

Pushing  graduation up a year would deprive some very hard working, deserving students of their best year in high school.  I teach three classes of seniors and I do see the deterioration of their work ethic as we approach graduation in June.  College choices have already been made and while a college may rescind its acceptance because of poor senior grades, this rarely happens.  If junior year became the new senior year, we would see a new disease "junioritis" replace "senioritis".

Senior year gives many kids one last chance to grow up and mature before facing the responsibilities of college.  Choosing a college is a big decision, one that has to be made with much care and thought.  What is right at sixteen might not be right a year later.   At this age, kids are not ready to live on their own, be responsible for their own meals and their own laundry.  Kids need to be kids and are entitled to that one extra year.  They need that extra year to grow up and mature.

Senior year is the year of the senior trip, the year book and the prom.  It is the culmination of all the years of childhood and the beginning of adulthood.  It is a special time and students need to embrace it and enjoy it before they are sent out into the world.  For many, it is the first time they relax and enjoy school without the worry of regents exams and report card grades.

And, with all this, let's not forget the education the kids get during this year.  Many take advanced placement classes and fourth and fifth years of math, science and foreign language, courses that will help them succeed in the future. 

Saving money is all well and good but saving it at the expense of children is not.

A Positive Post For A Change

My husband and son say all I ever do is bitch, bitch bitch. Whether it is on this blog or in a letter to the editor, I bitch. They claim I never say anything positive about my school. Well, sit back, that is about to change right here.

One of the most important things a student can do before choosing a college is to go visit it. My own kids put one foot on some campuses and knew the school was not for them. How they knew, I don't know, but they knew.

Many of my students are inner city kids with no way to visit schools outside the city. Our new college advisor is arranging school tours for these kids. Next week they are going to Stonybrook. Monday they went to Cornell and Binghamton. I used to hate missing a day of instruction but in my old age I realize there is more to life than math (I know, that is hard to believe) and I encourage participation on these trips. But, I still hate to miss a day of work.

I had an epiphany today. Why not give them the work to do on the bus? It has to take at least 4 hours to get to Cornell. There are plenty of smart kids on the trip. Why waste the time listening to I-pods and chatting with friends when they could be doing math?

I quickly ran off extra copies of the day's lesson and ran it down to the lobby, where the kids were meeting. At first, I was greeted with not as much enthusiasm as I expected. But, when I explained that I was worried about them being bored on the bus and that after all, I was the only teacher worried about this. They should be thanking me instead of complaining. Grudgingly, they accepted the assignment and those without pens scrounged around for them. I did get a few thanks out of some. I hope they really meant it.

Next week I will be more prepared for the trip. I'll remind them a day in advance to pack writing equipment along with their cell phones and I-pods.

I love these kids. I love how my school is helping them get ready for their future.