Teaching

“isn't that Y*squared = horndog,

therefore Y = square root(horndog)



(wish I knew how to do that fancy HTML stuff!)”

“Square root? How the hell do you drag horticulture into math? You is messed up girly!”

“H = Y2/(SG +1)”

“Where H = Happiness and not horndog ;op”

“See Nigal, math is important in all things in life! Even horticulture!”

“Y2 - STOP!!! You're creeping me out!”

“oh, ok, I'm sorry, I'm only playing :o)”

“On a serious note then. The algerba at that level shouldn't be too tough to remember. How's your quadratic equations.”

“The discussion of "doing the math in your head" reminds me of my Cal II instructor. He would work problems on the board in class, get to a particular point, and say "The answer is there" and go on. We tried to get him to stop and actually finish working the problem, but he would say "no time no time" and go on to the next half-finished problem.”

“What's the quadratic equation again? I think I had to use it during the PE test...”

“http://mathworld.wolfram.com/QuadraticEquation.html long time since I did these.”

“Teaching and Hiking!!

Our new fellows and residents are welcomed with a 4-5 hour, 4000 vertical hike, around 6K to around 10K. He, he. It wasn't even my idea.”

“I never can remember that one for the once a year I use it. I have a spreadsheet programmed with it and just use that.”

“Ok, question....if I'm tutoring a co-workers daughter, how much should I charge? I've never tutored before, *hopefully* I can remember my algebra, she's also doing me a favor (she knew I was looking for an opportunity), and I was planning to do volunteer tutoring - I wasn't looking for a paying job. I'm not sure if I should charge her $5 an hour, or more, or anything at all.

Help!”

“you should at least make minimum wage I think ;o)”

“And, minimum wage is what nowdays???”

“I think it depends. If you're doing this once a week or less then I'm not even sure if I'd charge. Basically, if this is something you'd be doing anyway I probably wouldn't worry about it. If it's more often than that then maybe see if she'll wash your car once a week? That way, mom(who I'm assuming is a secretary or draftsperson since otherwise they wouldn't need algebra help in an engineering office) isn't having to pay and the kid is earning what they are getting.”

“Yeah, maybe I'll think of something I need done. Wash my windows? Hey, maybe wallpaper removal???”

“Ooooh, you're cruel.”

“"Yeah, maybe I'll think of something I need done. Wash my windows? Hey, maybe wallpaper removal???"

One of Kelly’s friends hated to dust and vacuum. She made the joke that she’d pay me $50 to dust and vacuum her whole house. I said “hell yeah!” and did it. It felt somewhat dirty yet exciting at the same time to be someone’s bltch for a day.”

“Today was my first day teaching and it went VERY well. I felt prepared, things went smoothly and I walked away with a smile on my face. Of course, there are a few kids who could potentially wreak some havoc in the future, but I knew about them in advance and if they do the crime, they'll do the time. Even so, I like them (for now, ha ha). A lot of the other kids are really enthusiastic and they'll make it a fun year.”

“So, how long did you cry in the car on the way home?”

“Kewlness!”

“Congratulations on a dream turned reality.”

“Artex, you're teaching an elective course, aren't you????”

“Thanks all!

Monkeyboy, yes. I'm teaching media communications. My students are mostly juniors and seniors.”

“What will ask now? Uhhh, what time is recess? Congrats. Good for you.”

“Well good for you, hope you have an enjoyable year. Unfortunately, now you get to remember what it was like when you were in high school. Tell me you were just the "perfect" angel in high school. ;) Kinda like when you raise your own children. Its hard to remember what it was like when your on the other end of the spectrum, telling them not to do something they shouldn't be doing when you know you probably did the same thing when you were "that" age.....”

“Ha ha ha! Very true, Skeetah Bait. It feels pretty cool being on this end of things though. It'll be a fun year!”

“Artex....elective courses are easier at times....try jumpin in to the real world....
Spec Ed with the behaviorally challenged ones... : )

It's not just a job...it's an adventure”

“Especially when they are autistic.”

“I am in the ideal teaching situation. Self selected, interested, highly motivated generally polite, young men and women AND I am teaching what I do.

Had my first teaching with the Med students yesterday, and had a great time.”

“I have been an instructor for 20 years now work mostly with 18-21 Y/O Trust me it's not just a job it's an adventure. Retireing next year, July 1 Pemsit”

“My advice... Be real, they already have you figured out anyway...”

“Yea Artex! Glad you're enjoying it. Keep me posted on how it goes!

I'm really looking forward to my tutoring and Future City experiences this semester. I'm sure I'll learn a lot, and that's how I'm approaching it right now. I tend to try to be perfect and lose sight of what I could learn if I allow myself to make a mistake now and then. :)”

“That's cool. Artex. That's something this country definitnely needs is teachers that are engaged and excited about their profession.

I salute you!

So, can you beat on the brat, beat on the brat, beat on the brat with a baseball bat, oh yeah, ooooh, ooooh...LOL”

“'Way kewl, Jamie.

We've spoken about it before and you know that in 27 years there was only one morning I didn't want to go to work (and so I hiked Algonquin instead).

I taught Special Ed for five years at the secondary level and have no regrets. This being the country I run into - and work with - and spend Saturdays and some Sundays with (senior rugby) former students now of all walks of life.

The only advice I ever give is not to take advice.

It's not a job - it's a life.

BTW, I came in to work (at my own pace) because we have registration day at school and it looks like we'll be running three teams - two boys' and one girls' now that I have even more former students coaching for me.

I checked with the teachers and administrators for the climbing wall course I arranged and looked into the climbing equipment that was stolen this summer and will drive in to Montreal now to buy what's missing.”

“I have great respect for teachers. Boy, I think I would hurt those kids. My patients isn't good enough to deal with a bunch of hormone exploding teenagers.

Congrats and good luck.”

“Medium Communications sounds very interesting, but what about the kids that need to take the Small or Large Communications class?”

“Isn't small communications a pre-requisite for medium communications?”

“After Large Communications, are Jumbo or Extra-Large Communications available? Would a billboard be considered Jumbo Communications?”

“Ha! Then the kids could live out their dream - asking if they could "super size" that!!”

“Har har har! Veeeeeeeeery funny, you'se guys. :-)

But seriously, thanks all. I'm really enjoying it. It's a tough job, but I think (for me), after producing news and doing P.R. work for the past eight years, it seems relatively easier in most respects. But even the tough aspects don't feel like work. I'm enjoying all of it so far, and anticipate it staying that way. Of course there'll be bumps and glitches here and there, but no worries, I can handle it.”

“Smiley Girl - you have the right attitude and sound positive. I can tell you from my limited experience, but more from talking with others, that will take you far. Have you spoke with other teachers and/or tutors? If I could offer any advice, it would be to do that. Most importantly, there are lots of teachers who are miserable and negative.. AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE! Find those that truly love what they are doing, and let them help you out. Those types are happy to do so.

I highly recommend this book as well:

The First Days of School

It's highly regarded in the teaching profession, and came highly recommended to me by several successful teachers. Lot's of good tips and advice that would help you with tutoring.

Best of luck! :-)”

“Artex, I've got lots of friends and family who are teachers - so yes, I've been asking for advice. My boyffiend is a teacher too, so he's been helpful. He's got that book you recommend, so maybe I'll get aorund to reading it someday. Right now, Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry is keeping me busier than I'd like. :(”

“Cool! Half of my family are teachers, and they were a great resource in my decision making process as well. Yes, get the book from your BF at some point. You'll be glad you did. Best of luck with everything.”

“So, did I tell you all I ended up dropping my class this semester? It was a really tough decision. I was not doing well in the class, and completely miserable just trying to finish the homework and work a full-time job, let alone study for a test in the class. I didn't want to drop it because it would put me a semester behind in my overall plan to be a teacher. But, I decided my personal sanity (as well as my relationship with my boyfriend) was more important. I am still doing the Future City thing with the middle school kids, and will take one or both of my certification tests in January. So, things are still moving forward, just not as I expected them to go.


Artex, how's the teaching life???”

“You gotta do what you gotta do, Smiley. I'm sure that was a very hard decision to make, but sanity is important.

Teaching continues to go very well. The students are having a lot of fun and learning a lot (and so am I). It's gone a lot smoother than I expected so far. I really do love it!”

“That's awesome, Artex. Its great to hear its going smoother than you expected! I hope it goes that way for me too! Good way to get your feet wet!”

“Being a news producer beforehand definitely prepared me in several ways. One of them is being able to juggle a gazillion things at once and managing deadlines for my students, and also myself. I've befriended other first year teachers here, and some are struggling with that aspect more than others.

Best of luck in your continuing quest, Smiley!”