I haven\u2019t written in a week because I\u2019ve been studying (and doing some chip work, which gets in the way of studying).\u00a0 Today though, I attended a teacher training day.\u00a0 Usually, I wouldn\u2019t be doing this, but I was helping with the setup, technology and tear-down, so the principal let me stay and participate.\u00a0 I eventually joined the Social Studies teachers.\u00a0 While at this all-day event, I learned quite a bit about how things will be taught starting next school year (not this school year).\u00a0 I also made a lot of contacts, since there were 70 teachers and four administrators there.\u00a0 The break-out sessions were enlightening because the teachers rarely meet with each other apparently, so I was getting to know the teachers even as they were getting to know their peers from other schools.\u00a0 They all shared similar goals and frustrations, and came to some conclusions as to what they would try under the new system by this coming November (the next teacher gathering).\u00a0 Since the new standard is a year away, these schools are going to try to use some of the new standards this year.\u00a0 I applaud their efforts.\u00a0 This also means that I\u2019ll be coming into the school system (should I get a job) just as the curriculum changes.\u00a0 I see this as a good thing.<\/p>\n
Oh ya, one of the history teachers talked to me at length.\u00a0 After he spent much of the day with me, he said that I certainly had the \u201cchops\u201d and the knowledge to successfully teach.\u00a0 Just one thing remains: learning classroom management.\u00a0 The secret to teaching middle school and high school, he said, is all about classroom management.\u00a0 If you can manage the class, you can teach effectively.\u00a0 If you can\u2019t control your class, it doesn\u2019t matter how good or smart or knowledgeable you are, you simply won\u2019t get the opportunity to teach.\u00a0 He recommended that I pay more attention to that in my upcoming college experience than anything else.\u00a0 Effective teachers are first effective managers of students.<\/p>\n
On the college front, no word on a job there, but I\u2019m progressing on my application process.\u00a0 I have one excellent letter of recommendation, and another on the way.\u00a0 My transcripts should also arrive soon.\u00a0 With that gathered, I should be registered soon.<\/p>\n
Oh, speaking of jobs, I had a friend call me out of the blue and mention that he is now at a new semiconductor company and thinks that I would fit great there.\u00a0 He\u2019s not aware of any job opening right now, but he\u2019s going to talk to the powers that be anyway.\u00a0 I\u2019m not looking for a job right now, but I\u2019m also not going to snub my nose at anything that comes my way that easily.<\/p>\n
My wife\u2019s middle school also announced the sudden departure of one of their history teachers \u2013 he\u2019s now at the district level as a tech guy.\u00a0 The principal lamented that I didn\u2019t already have my credential.\u00a0 I could have started on Monday!\u00a0 This sudden opening creates a one year only contract position.\u00a0 If the guy who left that position doesn\u2019t return the following year, that job will be open again next year as a permanent position.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know that I want to teach seventh grade, but I do like the subject: Ancient Civilizations.\u00a0 Maybe this will aid in motivating me towards completing my credential quickly.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if I can actually get a credential in just under a year, but I\u2019ll ask.<\/p>\n
And, one of my former college profs also wants me to come in and teach as a guest lecturer.\u00a0 I\u2019m not going to turn that down!\u00a0 I need all the experience I can get.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I haven\u2019t written in a week because I\u2019ve been studying (and doing some chip work, which gets in the way of studying).\u00a0 Today though, I attended a teacher training day.\u00a0 Usually, I wouldn\u2019t be doing this, but I was helping … Continue reading