Invertebrate Fun Times

I teach at an arts school yet I cannot draw. (Learning about invertebrates and I visually demonstrated the difference between a centipede and millipede. I added the smiley faces at a student's request so they would look "cuter.")

Friday Morning Little Moment

Part of my duty as a teacher is to expose my students to "stupid science" as I have termed all things obviously incorrect. This morning, as I was heading into the main building to sign in, a student walked up and called my name to say hi. She also told me about this great commercial she saw. Some man was trying to sell mulch that comes "from the earth" and is somehow amazing. I said, "Where else would it come from?" She replied, "Exactly!" While they may not all come away with a spectacular understanding of human anatomy, they are learning to critically think and evaluate what they see and hear. And that makes me proud.

Something New

So I was sitting at my desk during tutoring this past Tuesday, listening to the kids work and finishing up my presentation for the next day when something struck me. I had seen clips or pictures of teachers dressing up as various characters to get the kids more into the content. I was about to each Darwin the very next day, so I though why not? I need to do this for sure.

I began looking up pictures of what he looked like as a young man (because most people can recognize the black coat and long, white beard). Also, I am young myself, and I own plenty of vests and scarves which I surprisingly never wore. After tutoring was over, I jetted to the store and picked up stuff to make the outfit complete. My favorite touch was the cotton balls painted brown and glued to a popsicle stick that I stuck into my hat to keep in place.

In the end, it didn't look as good as those examples I had seen though the students got a kick out of it. I also was introduced to a new co-worker that day, and they joked about how I usually look normal. Overall, I had fun and will probably do it again next year. I will just make sure I plan way ahead and make the outfit look even better.

Class Pet

Some girls in my period one bio found a tiny beetle and asked if it could be our class pet (at least until it dies...). I told them sure, why not. They named it Scruffy McFluffpants.

 

Next year I'll have to get a real pet.

 

 

At Least Once a Day

When my students try to get me off track by asking/saying something that's technically true but not what I was intending...

Introduction

Today was the first day back after a relaxing two week spring break. It also marks the beginning of my final quarter as a first-year teacher. To keep track of and reflect on various things, I thought I would start a blog (one that I hopefully will not forget about like my other three).

So, here's a little background on me. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in first grade. I never had a specific grade or type in mind. It was just something I knew I wanted to do. Then, in seventh grade, I had the best science teacher ever. I cannot pinpoint any one thing I liked. She just made it fun and interesting. She was also a very caring person, and she had an obsession with cows. Three years after that, I had another really awesome teacher. The class was Natural Science II (basically just biology). She made me love bio. She was funny, sarcastic, and relatable. She is the one who made me want to study biology and then teach it. I wanted to get kids hooked the way I had been. (Sidenote: I actually had a student tell me I had done this for her when she informed me she was changing schools. Pretty great for a first year teacher to hear.) Coincidentally, an amazing professor I had in community college was her high school biology teacher. Small world. I also teach the same two subjects my HS teacher did/does.

Anyway, long story short, I spent forever in school because I took everything under the sun. I got my AA in math and science studies, my BS in anthropology, and MEd in general education while I worked in a supermarket part-time. (All of that school and hard work also got me induction into Phi Beta Kappa, an honor society emphasizing the sciences and humanities. I rarely get to brag about it to anyone so I'm doing it here.)

Then, this past August, I got offered a job at a school where they emphasize not just academics but various visual, technical, and performing arts. It is a great place to teach, and although I have so much more to learn, I feel like I have found my place finally. I look forward to capturing my journey and sharing it with anyone who wishes to come along for the ride.