Monday, April 30, 2007

Day 1. What I learned in school.

Take a jacket. The Chemistry room is freezing. The Physics room is more freezing.

There were live fish in bowls at the prom. The decorations were great, the music was OK. The air conditioning was turned off at 11:30 PM, making the last 30 minutes even warmer than the first 3 1/2 hours, which were plenty warm enough.

Some of the cold air from Chemistry should have been transferred over to the dance, most definitely.

There's a secret back door into the science wing, and I can use it.

I can also park in the teacher's parking lot - I have the special green tag to prove it!

The science teachers rotate supplying 12 packs of diet sodas in the workroom refrigerator. Those who drink, donate. Those who don't, don't.

A class of sophomores will spontaneously applaud for the one in their number who qualified for State in shot put.

I learned that women's shot put is a real event, and I met the young lady who qualified.

Any unknown adult in the classroom when students enter is automatically assumed to be a substitute teacher.

Where the mirrors, pins, cardboard, friction blocks and rulers are kept. For rubber bands, you have to go ask in the office.

Respect a child and the odds are good that he will respect you in return. I already knew that, but it was good to see it in action.

1 comment:

Julie said...

Oh, Jean -- I'm going to have to hang out with you a bit. I've just been hired to teach HS Math next year in our small rural district. I have a BS degree in Computer Science from 1987. I have been home raising my 2 kids for most of the intervening 20 years. So please continue to share your experiences! I've started the alternative certification ball rolling; I'm just hoping there really is some "how to be a teacher" course, however brief.