25 + years ago; I was staying up late most school nights crying, because I couldn't understand the Algebra homework I had assigned to me. I would go in during tutorials and beg for help, but I could not "get it." My Algebra I & II teacher, Mrs. Stewart would get so frustrated with me because I couldn't "get it." I was so worried I would fail for the year; after all I had already failed at least 2 Six Weeks. Somehow I made it through High School Algebra and even squeaked through a year of College Algebra. I graduated High School and a College Degree. I even became a teacher; just not a Math teacher.
About 2 years ago I was hired to teach GED Math at Kilgore College to students who were trying to obtain a GED Certificate. One of the subjects I had to teach was Math (Pre-Algebra-basic Trigonometry). I informed my new employer that Math was not my best subject. I was told, "You will learn it and you will be good a teaching it within 3 weeks." Skeptical, I embarked on trying to teach Math. Much to may amazement, about 3 weeks later, something clicked in my head. Suddenly, all of this math that had been driving me to tears for years started to make sense. It was literally like a light bulb went off in my head and it all made sense. My students told me that I was one of the best Math teachers they had ever had; that I was helping them understand math for the first time. I became so confident in teaching Math that I took the teacher certification test to teach it. I passed!
Today, I start a six week teaching assignment, teaching 8th Grade Pre-Algebra. So far I am loving it.
I wonder if Mrs. Stewart (my HS Algebra teacher) is proud of me, or rolling over in her grave in amazement?
About ME
- Mr. E
- Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
- Mr. E is a Christian, Husband, Father of 2, former Army Officer and Texas Rangers Baseball fan.
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Monday, March 8, 2010
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Why I Teach
Sometimes I forget why I chose to teach in the first place. The pay is nowhere near what the job is worth, the discipline problems with students and their parents grow worse every day, and the unrealistic expectations put on teachers by the state are driving more and more teachers away every year.
Just when you think all is lost, God sends me reminder why I teach. Even though I no longer teach in the public schools, it was from one of my former students that God spoke to me.
Today (Friday, May 3, 2008) I received an envelope from the current principal of Gilmer High School. In the envelope was a "Thank You" note with the following: "Mr. English, Our students wrote essays about teachers who have had a positive impact on their lives. Name of student withheld...wrote about you. I though you might like to have a copy of what she wrote."
Folded up inside the note was the following letter...
"History was not my subject. I couldn't have cared less about the distant past of the aging world. The teachers just neglected to provide the drive to listen. Which soon changed when I walked into my eighth-grade American History classroom. There was Mr. English with his awesome smile and the desire to spread his knowledge. The bell rang and we sat.
'"Does anyone in here know anything about America?" Mr. English questioned. "I hope you don't. I wouldn't want to spoil the intelligence any of your past teachers might have handed out to you on a sheet of paper." He said this with a kind of humorous tone. I'd imagine he said that to every class that walked through that old, rusted door.
After his speech on the student body's lack of knowledge on the subject, he sat down and told us to introduce ourselves to the class. One by one, my classmates and I stood up and shared our story. Then Mr. English sat silently for a horribly quite five minutes and then he quoted something from the Constitution. Then he remarked, "That was history in the making right in front of you. Do you understand? You ARE history!"
Wow! I'd never thought of that. It was like the class was enlightened with the desire to know what he knows. We wanted to listen to his teachings. That's exactly what he wanted.
Since that day, I have enjoyed the subject. No one has taught history with more interest and determination than Mr. English. I would absolutely hate to find him teaching any other subject. I thank him for providing that drive I so longed for; for inspiring me to listen and understand the wonders of the past."
Thank you, Name of student withheld...for reminding me why I chose to teach in the first place. I hope you reach your dream of becoming the "First Woman President of the United States." Well, maybe the 2nd if Hillary Clinton somehow manages to beat you to it.
Just when you think all is lost, God sends me reminder why I teach. Even though I no longer teach in the public schools, it was from one of my former students that God spoke to me.
Today (Friday, May 3, 2008) I received an envelope from the current principal of Gilmer High School. In the envelope was a "Thank You" note with the following: "Mr. English, Our students wrote essays about teachers who have had a positive impact on their lives. Name of student withheld...wrote about you. I though you might like to have a copy of what she wrote."
Folded up inside the note was the following letter...
"History was not my subject. I couldn't have cared less about the distant past of the aging world. The teachers just neglected to provide the drive to listen. Which soon changed when I walked into my eighth-grade American History classroom. There was Mr. English with his awesome smile and the desire to spread his knowledge. The bell rang and we sat.
'"Does anyone in here know anything about America?" Mr. English questioned. "I hope you don't. I wouldn't want to spoil the intelligence any of your past teachers might have handed out to you on a sheet of paper." He said this with a kind of humorous tone. I'd imagine he said that to every class that walked through that old, rusted door.
After his speech on the student body's lack of knowledge on the subject, he sat down and told us to introduce ourselves to the class. One by one, my classmates and I stood up and shared our story. Then Mr. English sat silently for a horribly quite five minutes and then he quoted something from the Constitution. Then he remarked, "That was history in the making right in front of you. Do you understand? You ARE history!"
Wow! I'd never thought of that. It was like the class was enlightened with the desire to know what he knows. We wanted to listen to his teachings. That's exactly what he wanted.
Since that day, I have enjoyed the subject. No one has taught history with more interest and determination than Mr. English. I would absolutely hate to find him teaching any other subject. I thank him for providing that drive I so longed for; for inspiring me to listen and understand the wonders of the past."
Thank you, Name of student withheld...for reminding me why I chose to teach in the first place. I hope you reach your dream of becoming the "First Woman President of the United States." Well, maybe the 2nd if Hillary Clinton somehow manages to beat you to it.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Two Blogs for the Price of One
How often do you hear the ads on television say buy one get one free?, or two for the price of one? Well, today is your lucky (or unlucky) day to get two blogs for the price of one.
Blog 1 -- Am I a good teacher or just a great presenter of information?
Many times I have wondered if I am a good teacher or not. I have always claimed, "I am not a great teacher, just a good one." Is that really true? After doing much soul searching and honest looking at my teaching methods and style, I have come to the conclusion that I am a better than average teacher who just happens to be a great presenter of information.
A good (or great teacher) takes the time to make sure their students truly comprehend what is expected of them and that they are able to perform that task well. Surprisingly I have found that I do not always do that. I present the information to my students in such a way that is easy to understand and easy to duplicate. If they have questions I will answer them. My weakness lies in the fact I rarely follow up to see if my students have actually grasp the "concept" of what they are being taught. I tend to throw information out there and leave them to struggle to find meaning behind what they have been given.
I have found that the best subject I teach is Math! (What a surprise considering I barely passed High School Algebra and Geometry.) My knowledge of Social Studies, History and Government far outweighs my knowledge of Math, but I have found I don't really teach those subjects; I just present them with my knowledge and move along. I have found that when I teach Math, I actually slow down and make sure they grasp the concept of what they are doing and why. I provide more examples and follow up on how they are doing in Math, more than I do any other subject I teach. You would think with my big History brain, that my students would think that was best subject. After surveying my students, they feel they learn more in Math than anything else. Maybe it's because I once struggled as they are struggling now, and I empathize with them more?
Simple knowledge of a subject does not a great teacher make. It's the ability to truly teach a concept to full understanding that does. It's a lesson this teacher still needs to learn himself.
Blog 2 -- Will the Democrats make up their mind already?
It seems after the recent victory of Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, that the Democrats are still having a hard time deciding who their presidential nominee will be. Barack Obama still leads in pledged delegates, but Hillary leads in the super delegate count. Sen. Clinton seems to win the bigger states (great for Electoral College votes), but Obama seems to win among the average Joe's. (which could also come into play in some of the smaller, yet still important, Electoral States). I just wish they would make up their minds already. They had better stop the in-fighting soon or the public may just get so fed up with them, they would rather vote for John McCain. After all he's about a Democrat as a Republican can get isn't he?
Blog 1 -- Am I a good teacher or just a great presenter of information?
Many times I have wondered if I am a good teacher or not. I have always claimed, "I am not a great teacher, just a good one." Is that really true? After doing much soul searching and honest looking at my teaching methods and style, I have come to the conclusion that I am a better than average teacher who just happens to be a great presenter of information.
A good (or great teacher) takes the time to make sure their students truly comprehend what is expected of them and that they are able to perform that task well. Surprisingly I have found that I do not always do that. I present the information to my students in such a way that is easy to understand and easy to duplicate. If they have questions I will answer them. My weakness lies in the fact I rarely follow up to see if my students have actually grasp the "concept" of what they are being taught. I tend to throw information out there and leave them to struggle to find meaning behind what they have been given.
I have found that the best subject I teach is Math! (What a surprise considering I barely passed High School Algebra and Geometry.) My knowledge of Social Studies, History and Government far outweighs my knowledge of Math, but I have found I don't really teach those subjects; I just present them with my knowledge and move along. I have found that when I teach Math, I actually slow down and make sure they grasp the concept of what they are doing and why. I provide more examples and follow up on how they are doing in Math, more than I do any other subject I teach. You would think with my big History brain, that my students would think that was best subject. After surveying my students, they feel they learn more in Math than anything else. Maybe it's because I once struggled as they are struggling now, and I empathize with them more?
Simple knowledge of a subject does not a great teacher make. It's the ability to truly teach a concept to full understanding that does. It's a lesson this teacher still needs to learn himself.
Blog 2 -- Will the Democrats make up their mind already?
It seems after the recent victory of Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, that the Democrats are still having a hard time deciding who their presidential nominee will be. Barack Obama still leads in pledged delegates, but Hillary leads in the super delegate count. Sen. Clinton seems to win the bigger states (great for Electoral College votes), but Obama seems to win among the average Joe's. (which could also come into play in some of the smaller, yet still important, Electoral States). I just wish they would make up their minds already. They had better stop the in-fighting soon or the public may just get so fed up with them, they would rather vote for John McCain. After all he's about a Democrat as a Republican can get isn't he?
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