Kontan.

Sage asked how teaching at New School compares to teaching at college level in AL. Honestly? It’s more difficult than the situation I had at UNA. UNA is a great school with good students, don’t get me wrong. However, I was teaching a night class to freshman. Several were actually high school seniors getting a head start on their college career. The students were still knowledgeable but they were not inquisitive. Also, teaching in a college classroom is totally different than teaching in the high school classroom. For me it involves a different teaching style. At the college level you have their tuition paid attention for a set period. My high school kids are not paying tuition and have not matured to the college level of attentive listening. It is also necessary to make more assignments at the high school level. In college you have a midterm and a final…that was all that was required of me. I had a few more grades, but not many. Grading is one of the hardest parts of teaching. It isn’t necessarily difficult, but it is time consuming.

All in all, the actual teaching is not drastically different. I have to be ultra prepared and prepare with greater depth than at previous high schools. However, I do have to supplement lecture/discussion more. Finding resources for supplemental info is not always easy. For me the difficulty is in my personal perception. I am afraid of being challenged on something I do not know. Wow…that took effort to admit. Teaching the college class I could pick and choose what I taught. It was easier to choose topics that were of the greatest interest to me. I didn’t do the greatest job of that sometimes, but I didn’t feel I could leave certain civilizations out. I focused on the cultural aspect of the civilizations and was somewhat comfortable. Teaching high school, the curriculum is set. I have to teach all of it, whether I am weak in an area or not. I am noticing that as we move past the American Revolution I am becoming more comfortable with the material. Each day gets a little easier. By next year I should have the it down. The first year with a new subject is always the most difficult. (I’ve never taught early US before.)

It is only at new school that a teacher can walk in, not be able to say a word that isn’t croaked, and still conduct class as if they had full vocal control. Un-freakin-believable. I love this place. For the first four periods I couldn’t talk above a whisper. The longer I didn’t speak the better I sounded when I did. Despite the lack of speaking ability the day went really well and I don’t feel as if it was wasted. Students worked in groups, completed their assignments and continued discussing the necessary information. Don’t get me wrong, all of the classes were not awesome. The last of the day was a little more of a challenge than the rest, but still not what I have had in years past.

Again I say, I love this place.

Students are preparing to debate the electoral college. Had the debate in an earlier class today. Some of the most fun I have ever had in school. This is too funny and rather impressive to watch. These guys know their stuff!

Jem said it right this evening when he described my school year as the best and worst ever. Worst in the since of time requirement and how much I have stressed over getting it right. Best in that I am LOVING it. My students are self-accountable. How AWESOME! All the training you receive in edu classes does not prepare you for the reality of the traditional classroom. So much is geared toward the motivated student. Yes, yes, Wongisms say that we have the ability to motivate students and I agree to a degree. However, let’s face it…MOST of what is taught in edu programs can not be considered REALITY. The students are challenging me and ASKING ME to be more challenging. WHAT?!?! They want more time to discuss and ponder. They want more time for debate AND they are prepared for it. It was amazing to watch my first period debate the electoral college system. Truly cool.