SST

My second day – and I got called into the counselor’s office to help out in an SST for a student at risk. Very interesting seeing on my second day at school the process followed to help a student… Not quite the academic exercise practiced at the University, but with the same goals and ideas.

I am impressed that they were able to spot a challenge in the making…

FIRST DAY

First day… oh boy!

163 students in 5 periods….! No textbook for the class…only the State standards and a modified curriculum… humm – very interesting.

Classroom management is the order of the day – as the boundary gets stretched to see how far they can push the new teacher. Lets see… seating charts do not work well because of overcrowding…floating classrooms and interruptions by other teachers to get to “their” material….hummmm. A kid that gets sick and runs from the classroom ready to vomit… overflowing trashcans in the corner (with roaches) by the time 6th period rolls around… hummmmmm.

And remind me, why did they take prayer out of school?

Teaching – oh yeah! Teaching…. Well, we did a discrepant event demonstration - and it improved as each period progressed. There is hope – I got some good insights from the students – and you can see the potential behind the rough exterior…. These kids are bright.

Thank you Lord for sustaining me through my first day…

AVID

My first teacher's meeting last August, introduced me to one of the VPs in the school that pushed AVID - he was positive enthusiastic and wanted our school to be in the forefront of the AVID program. Since then, I have found out that one of our key instructors at the COE has become a fulltime member of the AVID staff... I think this speaks highly of the program! Check it out:

TA DAA!

I went over to the district today to sign papers - wow - it is like a dream. I started posting some of my thoughts February 2005 and now 19 months later they are signings me up as a teacher. Providence gets the credit.

Here are some excerpts:

I will be teaching an integrated science (I and II) for 9th-12th graders. I am thrilled and looking forward to being in the classroom. :)

I WONDER ….

It seems that the word “outsource” causes big worries in most households due to potential job loss, etc. But if you look at what is being outsourced – it is generally something that is in fact too expensive to procure locally (or nationally) or else is in short supply. I was wondering when this was going to hit the US in the education field – I wonder…

As a previous post mentioned, the UK is outsourcing some math teaching to India. This time, parents are reacting to the need to have tutors in the sciences… so here is the headline:

Ref: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1874192,00.html

Very interesting – can it be used to supplement kid’s interests and talents? Hummmm…. Can something like this be set-up with the University of Mexico, or expert students to help kids in the US that have challenges academically? I wonder….

What do you think…. Drop me an e-mail if this intrigues you (Argentina?, Bolivia?)

HERE WE GO AGAIN...!

I have added the Science Methods class - a two semester commmitment. Also, today, I started the CSET series in Science:

Here we go again!

SCIENCE OF LEARNING

I have been fascinated by the topic of the pedagogy and the subject of learning. See prior post on Teaching and Cognition. Today, I came across a very interesting presentation on the "SCIENCE OF LEARNING" with the following conceptual diagram:

The integration of the various facets of learning is what made this interesting in my eyes... This presentation was created by Frank L. H. Wolfs, University of Rochester. Note that the NSF is fully behind this concept...amazing resources appear available - check the web site:

OBSERVATIONS

Part of the pedagogical objectives in the College of Education is to insure that new teachers can learn by observing. The approach is to observe a classroom using a variety of lenses and toolsets that compares the observation to a set of defined effective teaching practices. The net result is that you, a) see real life practice, b) compare it to what is a theoretical effective practice and in the process, c) discern from the experience how you would better perform in your own classrooms.

The approach seems practical.

For example when you are doing general class observations, you look for learning climate, classroom management, lesson clarity, instructional variety, teacher’s task orientation, student’s engagement in the learning process, student’s success in basic academic skills, higher thought processes and performance outcomes and rate every dimension on a proper scale. For example, is the learning climate “teacher centered” or “student centered”? Or is the instructional variety “varied” or “static”? Obviously, observations can get much more focused and intense. (Reference: Borich, Observation Skills for Effective Teaching)

This week we were asked to observe our ELD II classroom (9th-12th graders) at a local High School. After completing the assignment I started to think, does this observation really paint the whole picture of the teacher and the class and the learning that goes on in that class? The more I thought about it, I had to conclude my paper with the following thought:

“…I have to say that observations are a slice in the life of a class as seen through the eyeglass of a future teacher but they, I am sure, are not always exact nor really tell how important that slice of time was in the overall context of teaching the students – so I am cognizant that only multiple observations would give a better sense of reality. This is but one recorded observation.”

May be I am getting too close to being a credentialed teacher... :)

CHURN AND DIN

After a wonderful relaxing vacation, I feel like I can tackle the upcoming maelstrom din and churn – I absolutely recommend a good break before the plunge!

Task list: Vista Unified – interview/paperwork, Lab work; fly from San Diego to Philadelphia, three days work, and fly back to San Diego; attend Amber’s new Charter School registration/introduction, picture day as well. Start the university classes – one a false start (no teacher, no syllabus, and no communication) and one proper scheduled start, get school supplies, books, assignments, take care of detail planning, letters, mail, etc. Personal and family matters to address…. You get the picture.

Without a detail calendar – forget it.

HANA ROAD - MAUI, HAWAII

The road unwound as a twisted ribbon as we headed to our destination. Wending through sharp turns and one-lane car bridges up the incredibly beautiful verdant mountain bordering the sparkling azure coastline made for an incomparable drive today. The adventure was in the “way” not in the destination. The “way” included a museum, beach views, waterfalls, a tourist attraction: “The Garden of Eden,” even a hotdog at the road-side stand – all simple joy incomparable – and ahhhh the company!

BREAK

After a crack-of-dawn beginning, and the early morning “rush” on the “15” heading to the airport, plus the challenge of the airport extra security and the six hour flight from San Diego the stiffness and drudgery melted away as the beautiful island of Maui unfolded under the wheels of our rental car. The brightness of the blue sky, the ocean breeze, the beautiful clouds, the rise of the mountains brings renewed perspective and vigor! Ahhhhhh finally – vacation!

A moment of rest….to ponder, to think, to pray, even to blog in peace!

This time celebrating the wonderful blessings of a great marriage… our thirty seventh!

FULFILMENT OF A LONG-AGO PROMISE

What a summer full of surprises… First about school, the second summer school session is now complete. I received excellent reviews from the teacher and the university supervisor; the students were receptive as well – see the survey in a previous post. The staff at the school was also very kind – thank you Ms. Francis!

OK so I have completed Beginning Student Teaching last semester (European History – BCLAD) and two summer sessions of the Advanced Student teaching (US History first session, World History the second session)… all went very well. Now for the surprise:

The principal wanted to talk to me – and offered me a job but instead of teaching history – I got a potential job offer to teach integrated science! Well that was a surprise! He had heard that I could teach science as well and pulled me in – there is a shortage of science teachers.

Coincidentally I got a second surprise from my corporate job. They are offering a sweetheart separation deal. I have 30 years with the company and it is indeed a great package. The only concern was would they let me go? They made it clear it was completely up to them. My boss said it was 50-50 because I was needed in some hot projects. I submitted my paperwork anyway and last Thursday I got a call that said they would approve it but only after September 29th. Incredible! After 30 years I am stepping out in faith changing careers….

Lots of things in the air – I am traveling to wrap up Corporate responsibilities – school is working with the University to insure that I am properly covered to teach the integrated science course… and in the meantime I have signed up to take the Science CSET series starting on September 16th. I figured I might as well solidify it so there is no question about my ability to handle the sciences in the NCLB environment. I will also take the Science methods classes at the University in addition to my second History methods class.

Like I said, a summer full of surprises – all positive I might add... this is the fulfillment of a long-ago promise!

SURVEY

I have one more day to go in my Advanced Student Teaching! The class was very interesting - grades are in and done - everyone is passing with a "C" or better. Here are the results of the class survey:
Drop me an e-mail if you wish to get a copy of the spreadsheet and survey document that you might use for your own classes - my e-mail: desertdew@cox.net

BUSY BUSY

NECC has come and gone, Advanced Student teaching is in process.... Excellent experience - all around.

Will catch up with the NECC experience a bit later - - - only one comment - it was great to hear the keynote speacker Negroponte from the MIT labs talk about the $100 laptop for deployment world-wide... The stuff is either science fiction or else it is truly a new paradygm that will change the world.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

SUMMER SESSION 1 - MEET ME AT NECC 2006

Well, as usual my plate like most teachers, "... runneth over..." I have been looking to the NECC but at the same time balancing all the priorities: First Summer Session, Professional Work, Family responsibilities, etc etc....

Well firstly, the experience of the First Summer Session at RBVHS has been outstanding - excellent support from the master teacher, encouraging supervision plus a great class. Very interesting this class of bright people who well....did not do so well last semester. In any case, it felt good to interact with the students, to teach them the subject and to get excellent commentaries - and achieved a 100% success in passing grades with some excellent performances. They enjoyed learning graphic tools - and they really liked contextual - group work with excellent results...

Secondly, at a personal level - we had an addition to the family, our third grandbaby - baby "Ella"..... Nothing is more fulfilling than to see yet one more generation in the family -

Thirdly, the NECC.... I am looking forward to meeting some of my readers.... My participation link can be found at:

MEMORIAL DAY 2006

John Stuart Mill on War (1806-1873):

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

Ever grateful for the sacrifice of our soldiers accross the history of this nation.

ADVANCED STUDENT TEACHING

I am lined up to do my advanced student teaching this summer. First summer session is World History and the second session US History. It promises to be very interesting. I met the principals and they promise to be an excellent support group so I am looking forward to the experience.

Interestingly enough there is a new book being introduced – so I got a copy of the old and the new World History textbooks – wow! I got a dilapidated old book that will probably be used to teach the class – but just I in case I also got a copy of the new book…?

Take a gander:

In any case, the master instructor is very experienced and flexible in his teaching approach. I was impressed by his performance in one of his classes. It promises to be a very good experience…taking me one step closer to the finish line in the journey to become a teacher. .

VISION

A Vision with Action will lead to growth

A Vision without Action will remain a dream

Attributed to Stephen Covey

ALCOHOL

Here is a great resource for parents and teachers.

If anything, teachers need to be informed... They have the information both in English and Spanish - great resource!

Click below to get to the site: