Where the hell have I been?
It occurred to me as I was reading my friend's posts today that I haven't posted anything resembling an update in 4 months. I figured some of the people I don't get to see on a regular basis (i.e. everyone) might like to know what's going on in my life.
Work
Teaching math to teenagers continues to be an exhausting battle. with a few exceptions, I have developed rapport with my students and have learned useful techniques for engaging them. There are some, however, who are such pains in the ass that I hardly want to give them the time of day (which they ask for every 10 minutes since they don't want to be there either).
For those of you who don't know about it, the BEST program is the method by which the State Board of Ed assess it's teachers. It does this by having the teacher submit a 100 page document (give or take 25 pages) that describes the students, the methods the teacher uses to teach those students, and the reasons why. The document (or "portfolio") also contains samples of student work and a 30-minute video of lecture and group-work in that class. As part of the preparation for this, I was allowed to view several "exemplary" portfolios submitted in recent years. Unfortunately, only one was for math (each subject has different criteria, so looking at examples from other subjects is meaningless).
Teachers are expected to create this portfolio during their second year of teaching to ensure they've had enough classroom experience. Unfortunately for me, I will probably be teaching in a very different type of classroom next year, making it feel like my first year all over again. Since the program I'm teaching in now is much more simple than your average high school, I've decided to do the portfolio this year.
This is not going to be easy. I have to write a huge-mother-fucking paper. I have to videotape a classroom full of behavior problems and hope for 30 minutes where kids aren't swearing, wandering around, talking about sex, talking about drugs, etc. Plus, people I've talked to have indicated that the state is underreporting the number of teachers who fail it the first time and have to do another one the next year. This does not inspire much confidence.
Health
I don't know if it's the cold temperatures, the lack of sunlight, or my mentally draining job, but I find myself unable to make it though an entire day without an after-school nap. Its very annoying and frustrating that there are some days where I barely make it home without falling asleep at the wheel.
Another possibility might be my activity level. Walking around the classroom and waving a Wii-mote around are about the extent of my physical activities. It doesn't help that I'm lazy, but time doesn't really allow for much.
Thats all I have time for now. I'm late for a late dinner at the In-Law's.
Work
Teaching math to teenagers continues to be an exhausting battle. with a few exceptions, I have developed rapport with my students and have learned useful techniques for engaging them. There are some, however, who are such pains in the ass that I hardly want to give them the time of day (which they ask for every 10 minutes since they don't want to be there either).
For those of you who don't know about it, the BEST program is the method by which the State Board of Ed assess it's teachers. It does this by having the teacher submit a 100 page document (give or take 25 pages) that describes the students, the methods the teacher uses to teach those students, and the reasons why. The document (or "portfolio") also contains samples of student work and a 30-minute video of lecture and group-work in that class. As part of the preparation for this, I was allowed to view several "exemplary" portfolios submitted in recent years. Unfortunately, only one was for math (each subject has different criteria, so looking at examples from other subjects is meaningless).
Teachers are expected to create this portfolio during their second year of teaching to ensure they've had enough classroom experience. Unfortunately for me, I will probably be teaching in a very different type of classroom next year, making it feel like my first year all over again. Since the program I'm teaching in now is much more simple than your average high school, I've decided to do the portfolio this year.
This is not going to be easy. I have to write a huge-mother-fucking paper. I have to videotape a classroom full of behavior problems and hope for 30 minutes where kids aren't swearing, wandering around, talking about sex, talking about drugs, etc. Plus, people I've talked to have indicated that the state is underreporting the number of teachers who fail it the first time and have to do another one the next year. This does not inspire much confidence.
Health
I don't know if it's the cold temperatures, the lack of sunlight, or my mentally draining job, but I find myself unable to make it though an entire day without an after-school nap. Its very annoying and frustrating that there are some days where I barely make it home without falling asleep at the wheel.
Another possibility might be my activity level. Walking around the classroom and waving a Wii-mote around are about the extent of my physical activities. It doesn't help that I'm lazy, but time doesn't really allow for much.
Thats all I have time for now. I'm late for a late dinner at the In-Law's.