Blog Reflection

Blog Reflection
I have to be honest, when the blog assignment was first given, I feared it would be an assignment with very little reward coupled with the challenge of finding the time to post. I was completely wrong, and I now find myself checking the blogs often. It is so refreshing to see that other MAT students are facing the same obstacles and challenges as I on a daily basis. I see other’s emotional ups and downs that I myself encounter in my first year of teaching. Viewing other’s blogs allows me to see many situations that are being faced by the MAT teachers, and develop a plan in case I too encounter such situations.
I can see where incorporating a blog into my classes could be beneficial. I think using a student blogs during very long science projects would be the most beneficial. Students could collaborate with each other throughout the semester, and trouble-shoot their own problems through online dialogue.
I hope the blog experience is something that Dr. Zimmerly will continue in future MAT classes, it really helped remove the “new teacher all-alone” aspect out of my first year of teaching.

Jarhead

The book I read was “Jarhead” by Anthony Swofford. It is a memoir of his life, and experiences as a marine sniper in the first Persian Gulf War. “Jarhead” shows the events of this conflict not from the perspective of a civilian, war correspondent, or diplomat, but from that of a jarhead (jargon for marine) who was supposed to be on the front line of the ground conflict, except there was no front line. The air attack so devastated the Iraqi army that no one was left to wage an effective battle. So when the marines went in, they were left with mop-up duty. Many of these men, despite being trained as killing machines, left without firing a shot.
I honestly very rarely read, I guess because I’ve put myself to sleep many nights over the years reading various textbooks. However, I had little trouble keeping interest in this book. It is refreshing to read accounts of these conflicts which are unmolested by our media.

want science enthusiasm? catch snakes!!!!!

From the time I was 4 years old I was immersed in various biology and wildlife media, from National Geographic to wildnerness TV programming. If asked what I was going to do some day, I replied "I'm gonna be a snake man!" Well, I guess I am. I'm constantly chasing snakes through the grass and brush, a bit slower these days, but still give chase none the less. Often times someone will see me running like a drunk man through the woods and ask what's he doin, and someone will always point out that "oh, thats Smith after another snake." Venomous or harmless, I'll chase them all, however, I'll scream like a little girl if any spider approaches me. It seems my interest in snakes has passed to my son as you can see in the pic of 2 large western rat snakes that we caught in the peacock pen. In 5th period PreAP Biology Friday I took the class on an outing to catch insects for a Rough Earth Snake that I caught last weekend. Suddenly I here, Mr. Smith...Mr. Smith a snake!! Then I hear I "I can catch it" We are at a creek behind the school mind you. I yell "No, don't touch it" a rather courageous voice responded "but, it's just a baby!" The young men indeed want to impress their snake man biology teacher. Now, I've told these youth about the potential dangers of juvenile venomous snakes. Thank goodness they lost it in the grass. I arrived at their location and located the snake. I snagged it up, identifying it as a harmless Western Ribbon Snake. The class is very proud of the speciman and named him Proximus, for his scientific name of Thamnophis proximus. I intend to cohabitate proximus and the rough earth snake in a terrarium in our class now. The more stuff I can pack in my room the quicker folks will want to get to class and check it out, so maybe I can minimize tardies ;)

On a different note, the Life Science Pedagogy test wasn't bad this morning. It stunk to take it at 7:30AM, and after writing 7 pages of response in one hour, my right hand is still in pretty bad shape.

So I kissed a Pig.....................

Seems that last week's homecoming festivities claimed a victim.........................ME! Students donated money to all the teachers jars, and the teacher who had the most money at the weeks end had to kiss a pig. Apparently, it's also a way of breaking in the new folks;) I was more than happy to participate with enthusiasm!

Another part of homecoming week was nerd day! Students were to see who could dress the nerdiest! I helped the young man who won with his outfit. I also provided the props for his photo. Credit to Tony Foster for taking these great shots!

Diversity in Diverse City

Diversity, hmmmmmm my definition is anything that makes YOU unique, or different. These pictures are from my favorite class. They are such great kids, maybe because it's first hour and they are all half asleep! These pictures show students of different culture, religion, personalities, motivation, skill, intelligence, and discipline to name a few. This class is made up mainly of students who are either extremely introverted or extroverted. There is absolutely no bullying or belittling of fellow students. I don't think this is necessarily due to my strong stance against it, they just generally respect each other! In the fourth picture is my finest example of this class. This young Asian American student is extremely shy, and does NOT participate in his classes, but somehow I developed a repoir with him. When I called on him to read a section from the chapter he began reading, after he finished ALL the other students began clapping, and several of the other male students patted him on the shoulder. This was the first week of school, so I wasn't sure what had just happened until another student said after class that he couldn't believe that this young man read when I asked. It was clear that there was no sarcasm in the other students excitement for him either; they were indeed proud of this fellow student, and his smile revealed his happiness with his peers.

UAMONT.EDU Website Down?

It's Sunday morning, and I've tried unsuccessfully to access the UAMont website to work on quizzes and assignments, as the weekend is my best time to do so. For several hours the site has been down. I've attempted from 3 different computers at 2 different locations. Just thought I'd post to see if anyone has any info. and also have a record of the problem so that maybe I can make the quiz for Dr. Givhan up if the site is down all day.
Also I have preAP training in Van Buren Thurs and Fri.....anyone else gonna be there?

Crouching Tiger Hidden Student

Well, it was a relatively uneventful return after a 3 day weekend. That is until.......my last period physical science class of 9th graders, aka satan's disciples. This is the ONLY, yes, only class I continue to struggle with in terms of getting the students to focus. It is the largest, and last class of my day, filled with a notoriously out of control group of 14 year olds. I jokingly accused my principal of doing this on purpose, and he simply offers an evil grin that screams "trial by fire Mr. Smith!"
After 10 minutes of lessons on the various states of matter, I walked toward the east end of the room, where to my surprise I find a student crouched, literally underneath the desk of a fellow student. (He really was hidden quite well folks!) The problem, this student is not in this period, and is only in my 1st period class. He begins with some feable excuses about how he's afraid of the teacher whose class he is supposed to be in (my pathwise mentor FYI) Also, she is much more forgiving discipline wise than myself. Keep in mind, I have had not one single discipline referral to the principal yet, something he's made note of in passing. Well, long story short, myself and the hidden one, went straight to the office! No, we did not pass go, or collect 200 dollars. We bypassed the secretary, and nearly knocked over the counselor (ok, maybe a bit exaggerated?) but, either way we went straight to the principal. I explained to him my disappoinment, and the classroom disruption. As soon as class was over I received an email that said the student had been assigned to 3 days ISS (in school suspension) Now, even before receiving the email, I took the student aside after the bell, and explained the lack of respect, and advised him to come to me prior to class if he has any problems.
Now, the heartbreaking part......................I am an old softy, and as a parent this hit me hard. I was unsure whether I had handled the situation appropriately, therefore I spoke with our counselor. First, she said that I did indeed do exactly as their policies require, and that I had no other choice. She then went on to explain that how recently this student and his siblings had been acting out do to problems at home. He and several sisters have been living with their aunt after the parents separated following abuse of their mother by the drunken father. I realize I have to maintain an acceptible learning environment for the other students, but this did indeed break my heart.............I have more repect for teachers now than ever before! What an emotional rollercoaster!

5 Days in the Hole?

Last Friday I gathered my ten bags (ok just 2, and one was a plastic wal-mart bag) and portable file cabinet and exited my room; yes.........my room! Room #6 in a century old school house in Havana. As I limped along I looked closely at my right hand, where I gripped tightly to something so dear and close to me, it had gotten me through my first week.........yes, my coffee mug. I neared the back exit, crawling prone across the old wooden floor like a wounded soldier searching for cover (ok, so I was walking with a slight limp I suppose) and heard a faint voice singing. The voice became louder and more clear. The tall figure with wavy gray hair approached singing "Five days in the hole" and then a bit of humming...........I realized this veteran teacher was making her own version of the hit "30 Days in the Hole" a 1972 hit by the English rock group Humble Pie. I just grinned and continued my long journey to the door. I thought to myself will I think of the weeks as "5 days in the hole" when I have as many years under my belt as her, a much respected teacher I must add. I was indeed exhausted, yet accomplished, I had enjoyed these 5 days tremendously......learning much more than I had taught......and I had taught so much!

Yesterday, I recalled the first week as I met with my pathwise mentor. After a bit of small talk, I looked her in the eyes and said "What happened to all the students who want to learn?" She looked down the slowly back up and said "I was afraid this would be troublesome for you." I guess my enthusiasm wreaked of vulnerability to letdown? She said many things had changed in schools. I agreed, stating that it had only been 13 years since I was in school, and could see few similarities. She said "Oh you are right, we have no leaders, students are afraid to be leaders now, apparently it's not cool to be smart" I smiled, having found this was indeed true, looked up and said "Well, as long as I can find just one student who wants to learn everyday then I'm happy."

In my second week I've laughed a little more, worried a little less, and had just as much fun! I hope all of you other MAT students are doing wonderful as well!