It’s easy to talk. It’s harder to listen and I think even harder to ask good questions. As a Math Tutor in the public schools I am reminded over and over the importance of listening. A student asks me for help so I kneel next to him, look over the problem they’re struggling with and… …
Category Archives: Tales From a Classroom
What’s for Lunch?
Every morning in the High Schools I’m working in there are morning announcements broadcasted to all the students via intercom. Usually among the announcements a lunch menu for the day is given. Recently I heard one particularly un-appetizing sounding lunch menu, I forget what it was, something like burned lime flavored goulash delight with sides …
The Fine Art of Procrastination
Last week my professor informed our class of a large assignment that would soon be due. I clearly recall her sternly warning us all, “Now don’t wait until the night before to start on this project because it’s going to take longer than that!” Well, I took her words to heart. I followed her advice …
A Piece of Advice From a Cancer Survivor
In my post yesterday on being late to class I mentioned I had to give a presentation for school. The topic I was assigned to discuss was children diagnosed with malignant cancer. I was supposed to address specific issues or concerns teachers might face or at least need to be aware of while instructing said …
That’s the Story of My Life – A Day Late and a Dollar Short
So how do I respond when things aren’t going as planned? This morning I got to find out. Here was the problem: I needed to print thirty handouts for a presentation I was scheduled to deliver this morning in my college summer class. The class started at 7:30am. On this particular project I had procrastinated …
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First day of Graduate School
Today I began my first day of class as a graduate student. I am currently enrolled in a “Master of Arts in Teaching” degree. Don’t ask. As typical for the first day of any course the instructor started with an icebreaker activity. It went like this, each student was supposed to share two things. First, …
Is Teaching Supposed to be This Hard?
Some of my students are very difficult to deal with (er… instruct). Since I haven’t been a teacher long my first reaction is, “Well, this all must be because of me, I must be the problem.” So I try to be nicer, more accomadating, more helpful, and more patient. And then I find out they’re …
I’ve Really Gotta Go!
Earlier this week in one of my classes a student suddenly out of the blue loudly blurted out, “Can I get a bathroom pass? I’ve really gotta go!” “No.” This is my characteristic response. It’s easy for students to ask for hall passes and special privileges but it’s equally easy for me to say no. …