How long have you been teaching? Do you enjoy teaching that age group?
I've been teaching for 8 years. I love it. I thought I wanted to teach high school social studies, and had an opportunity to teach freshman WA state history (OMG, how boring) in a brand-new, all-digital high school. But, it was five sections of the same class and I thought I'd be bored. So I stuck with middle school and am so happy I did.
The kids are young enough to still be impressionable, to still want to please, to still need help, and to still think they have something to learn. And they are old enough to have really interesting, engaging conversations. They are great thinkers!
Also, I looooved WA state history. Back in my day it was taught in 8th grade, and we had the coolest teacher ever. Nerd alert!
LOL. It was a good try! I'm facing some upcoming essays myself, so I'm content for now to do very little in the way of grading.
I like WA State history, but not the same things 5 times in one day. That seems really hard. The most I've done is 2 sections of the same class, which I did enjoy because I could try two different teaching methods for the same material and have a back-to-back comparison.
What TV shows do you like? I could use some suggestions.
I love reality TV competitions like Survivor (I'm completely addicted) and The Amazing Race. I used to watch Biggest Loser, but this season is annoying.
I love 90210, the new one. I'm ashamed.
Otherwise, I watch CSI and I'm trying to get into The Bachelor, just because DH isn't home on Monday nights and can't make fun of me for watching it.
I can definitely see how 5 sections of the same class might drive you slowly insane!
I'm a college professor, and right now I'm grading exams for my Renaissance Italy class. It's a great class, and most of the exams are pretty good, so I'm feeling quite pleased with myself.
I can definitely see how 5 sections of the same class might drive you slowly insane!
I'm a college professor, and right now I'm grading exams for my Renaissance Italy class. It's a great class, and most of the exams are pretty good, so I'm feeling quite pleased with myself.
Oh, now, that sounds like a lot of fun. Well, the class, not so much the grading, but I do love it when my students perform well.
That's still a lot of preps. Middle schoolers are tough, I commend you.
What's your favorite part of teaching geography?
Actually, I'm really proud of the curriculum I designed. Three years ago, when I was switched to geography, I scrapped the entire curriculum. With our admin's blessing, I designed a year-long program that allows individual students to design, plan, and implement their own course of study. Obviously, in 7th grade, they have lots of structure and oversit, but I consider myself far more of a guide or facilitator than traditional teacher. I love the whole class.
Would you ever teach elementary school? Why of why not?
I would teach 6th, if the alternative was not having a job. Any younger than that, I couldn't do. I am waaayyyyy to abstract. Not that I'm so intellectual, but I'm just not good at the day-to-day stuff. I do we'll with long projects and writing assignments that can have nebulous, or at least, flexible due dates.