Last year, the last period of every other day was small, and the students were mature, self-motivated, academically successful 12th graders. (Yes, I got very lucky with that class.) This year, my last period of the day is still small, but that’s where the similarities end. The students should be in 11th grade, but most…
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I have long been meaning to write about the difference between first and second year, but nothing I have written seems to do it justice. Even now, I have trouble describing it in anything but metaphor: night and day, storm and sunshine, even death and life. Yet I must try my best to assure any first-year teachers…
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Sometimes, you just can’t make this stuff up. Today, we talked about carbon-14 dating and radioactive isotopes. I said that it was how we figured out how old dinosaur bones are. “What if a lion does it with a rhino? Would their baby be a dinosaur?” “Miss, how old are the dinosaurs? How old is…
read more »Today, I discovered: One of my Algebra 1 kids is a Billboard-ranked pop artist. Another one of my Algebra 1 kids was kicked off public transit this morning for “talking too loud.” According to an eyewitness, the lady who complained about him was talking just as loudly, if not louder. (Said kid was also not…
read more »There is no comparison between first and second year. Twelve months ago, I was enjoying teaching well enough but struggling mightily just to keep up with its day-to-day demands (the emotional and spiritual, in addition to the physical). This year, three weeks into the new semester, I feel like I have not only kept my…
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My last few posts have been sad, but even though the obstacles my scholars face are incredible, they always find ways to make my day not only bearable, but truly joyful. Some things that they do that make me happy: Text me at 8 am on a Saturday morning to let me know that he’s…
read more »Every day, I hear a new waterworks-worthy story. Today, I taught a Liberian refugee basic phonics, because she can’t read. She’s very bright and picks things up quickly, but you simply can’t do science if you don’t know how to read and write. To make matters worse, she’s being shuffled in and out of foster…
read more »There is a girl in my homeroom who just turned 16 and is 7 months pregnant. Her belly is small for her stage but very round, like a watermelon in June. She gave me a nurse’s note to sign, letting me know that she’s allowed food and drink in class, frequent bathroom breaks, and elevator…
read more »Today was the 3rd day of teaching here at PPSD. Until now, I think I’ve been running on adrenaline, planning and performing, trying my hardest not to screw things up too badly. First of all, I love my kids. They’re amazing. Example: I sent home family and student information surveys, and at the bottom, I…
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“Every endeavor pursued with passion produces a successful outcome regardless of the result. It isn’t about winning or losing–it’s about the effort put forth in producing the outcome. The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Adapted from Bollettieri. Success comes with the mindset of a champion. Our creed and our motto…
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