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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Testing 1, 2...
I'm still here. Teaching has taken up a lot of time over the past 3 years. Summers aren't that much better. But, I'm alive. Hoorah.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
A Letter
To my students:
I want to start this off with the ever-popular "Wow, the year has flown by fast" routine. We are about 12 weeks away (give or take a few days for snow, testing, and other shenanigans) from the end of the semester. Maybe I should have sent this out sooner, but now seems like as good a time as any.
I first want to thank each and every one of you for your patience this year. It has been interesting, to say the least, getting to know you individually and as a class. I hope you have gotten to know me along the way as well.
As I sit here typing this on a Sunday night, the movie Twister on in the background, my puppy destroying what used to be my house slipper (though if you were to ask him, he'd say it was his, and he would be correct), I can't help but reflect on this year. Here are some observations that struck me along the way:
I expect the best from each and every one of you. I hope that you would expect the best out of me. This is something I strive for each day. I want everyone to learn something, whether it relates to math, school, or life. If I were to ask each of you why you are here, I expect to get a lot of different answers.
"I'm here because I have to be here."
"I'm here to learn."
"I want to go to college."
"I don't know."
...And so on.
The point is, we are here for different reasons. I was in your shoes 10 years ago, and in some cases, I was in your seat. I graduated from here in 2000. I did my best, but I could have done more now that I think about it. I sacrificed some things in favor of others, but I did my best in every class because that's who I was. That's who I still am, even if I forget that every once in a while. What I wanted from school was straight A's, a good education, and a way to learn new things. I got all those things and a whole lot more.
This school gave me a great education, and the teachers and people there prepared me for life after high school. Your administrators, your teachers, and everybody else associated with our school and school system want you to succeed. Every one of us will do what we can to get you there, but there's a funny thing about that:
We cannot do it without your help.
Time is running out this semester. With our schedule, even though we have ~12 weeks left, that is only 6 weeks of class time for us. There is still time for each of you to raise your grade, if you want to use it.
Failure is not an option: it is a choice. If you choose to fail, you will succeed...in failing. But, if you decide you want to do something more, if you choose not to fail, if you decide you will do your best, I guarantee you that you will succeed.
Teachers love checklists. It is a way for us to keep things organized. Well, here you go. Here is a checklist for success, courtesy of me. This is my checklist for success for each of you. If you do these things, you will succeed.
1. Bring your materials to class. Your materials include, but are not limited to: textbook, paper, pencil/pen/colored pencil/crayon/marker/etc.
2. Do your homework! Wow, what a concept: if you do your homework, you will succeed. But, how can that be? This is two-fold: you get graded for homework (gasp!) and the more problems you do and see, the more you are likely to understand and remember.
3. Listen. Listen to me when I am talking. You never know what you might hear or learn.
4. Take notes. If I write something on the board, chances are, it's important. If you look through those things before we have a quiz or test, they might just help you on that. Wait, I think they have a name for that...yeah, they do. It is called "studying". Wow...
5. Ask questions. Here is a secret that I am willing to share with you: I do not know everything. In fact, there are several things I do not know. How do I learn about these things? I ask people who know. If you have a question, ask somebody. You can ask me, other people in the class, other teachers, your friends, your family, Google...you can ask just about anybody, and somebody is likely to know. If they do not know...
6. Research. While this might not refer to every case, if you want to learn how to do something on your own, do some research...teach yourself. Sometimes your best teacher is you.
And finally...
7. Smile. I've learned that if you have a positive attitude, sometimes that makes all the difference in the world. You wouldn't believe the difference in believing you can do something, and doing it well, versus not believing in yourself. Motivation: it's a good thing.
Here's the bottom line: for these next 12 weeks, do your best. I am going to do mine. Together, we'll get through this in one piece.
I want to start this off with the ever-popular "Wow, the year has flown by fast" routine. We are about 12 weeks away (give or take a few days for snow, testing, and other shenanigans) from the end of the semester. Maybe I should have sent this out sooner, but now seems like as good a time as any.
I first want to thank each and every one of you for your patience this year. It has been interesting, to say the least, getting to know you individually and as a class. I hope you have gotten to know me along the way as well.
As I sit here typing this on a Sunday night, the movie Twister on in the background, my puppy destroying what used to be my house slipper (though if you were to ask him, he'd say it was his, and he would be correct), I can't help but reflect on this year. Here are some observations that struck me along the way:
I expect the best from each and every one of you. I hope that you would expect the best out of me. This is something I strive for each day. I want everyone to learn something, whether it relates to math, school, or life. If I were to ask each of you why you are here, I expect to get a lot of different answers.
"I'm here because I have to be here."
"I'm here to learn."
"I want to go to college."
"I don't know."
...And so on.
The point is, we are here for different reasons. I was in your shoes 10 years ago, and in some cases, I was in your seat. I graduated from here in 2000. I did my best, but I could have done more now that I think about it. I sacrificed some things in favor of others, but I did my best in every class because that's who I was. That's who I still am, even if I forget that every once in a while. What I wanted from school was straight A's, a good education, and a way to learn new things. I got all those things and a whole lot more.
This school gave me a great education, and the teachers and people there prepared me for life after high school. Your administrators, your teachers, and everybody else associated with our school and school system want you to succeed. Every one of us will do what we can to get you there, but there's a funny thing about that:
We cannot do it without your help.
Time is running out this semester. With our schedule, even though we have ~12 weeks left, that is only 6 weeks of class time for us. There is still time for each of you to raise your grade, if you want to use it.
Failure is not an option: it is a choice. If you choose to fail, you will succeed...in failing. But, if you decide you want to do something more, if you choose not to fail, if you decide you will do your best, I guarantee you that you will succeed.
Teachers love checklists. It is a way for us to keep things organized. Well, here you go. Here is a checklist for success, courtesy of me. This is my checklist for success for each of you. If you do these things, you will succeed.
1. Bring your materials to class. Your materials include, but are not limited to: textbook, paper, pencil/pen/colored pencil/crayon/marker/etc.
2. Do your homework! Wow, what a concept: if you do your homework, you will succeed. But, how can that be? This is two-fold: you get graded for homework (gasp!) and the more problems you do and see, the more you are likely to understand and remember.
3. Listen. Listen to me when I am talking. You never know what you might hear or learn.
4. Take notes. If I write something on the board, chances are, it's important. If you look through those things before we have a quiz or test, they might just help you on that. Wait, I think they have a name for that...yeah, they do. It is called "studying". Wow...
5. Ask questions. Here is a secret that I am willing to share with you: I do not know everything. In fact, there are several things I do not know. How do I learn about these things? I ask people who know. If you have a question, ask somebody. You can ask me, other people in the class, other teachers, your friends, your family, Google...you can ask just about anybody, and somebody is likely to know. If they do not know...
6. Research. While this might not refer to every case, if you want to learn how to do something on your own, do some research...teach yourself. Sometimes your best teacher is you.
And finally...
7. Smile. I've learned that if you have a positive attitude, sometimes that makes all the difference in the world. You wouldn't believe the difference in believing you can do something, and doing it well, versus not believing in yourself. Motivation: it's a good thing.
Here's the bottom line: for these next 12 weeks, do your best. I am going to do mine. Together, we'll get through this in one piece.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
15 more weeks...
Some housecleaning will be done in this episode:
Slick, I liked the look you had before you switched to the classic redux (as I am calling it). There was something different about your last layout that stood apart from other sites. Just sayin'...
Governor's Cup is coming up next Saturday. I'm excited, but we still need some work. Czar TheRedKnight is here until then.
Thoughtful Ed...I think I'm going to write a book on day. I'm just saying. What does this have to do anything? I'll come back to this topic later.
Could a Ph. D be on the horizon? Ask me again in 2011.
Psych starts back next week...woot! Payday is tomorrow...ftw!
I think I need to end this post with a bang...
Slick, I liked the look you had before you switched to the classic redux (as I am calling it). There was something different about your last layout that stood apart from other sites. Just sayin'...
Governor's Cup is coming up next Saturday. I'm excited, but we still need some work. Czar TheRedKnight is here until then.
Thoughtful Ed...I think I'm going to write a book on day. I'm just saying. What does this have to do anything? I'll come back to this topic later.
Could a Ph. D be on the horizon? Ask me again in 2011.
Psych starts back next week...woot! Payday is tomorrow...ftw!
I think I need to end this post with a bang...
Monday, January 11, 2010
Two days, two posts
After seeing Slick's new layout, I realize that I need to do something about mine.
I don't have much to update on today. Raw was decent, as was the day at school. My night class starts Wednesday...fun stuff. I've lost 3 lbs since New Year's. I plan on checking Lowe's for that switch this weekend. I wonder how California is this time of the year. Tunica next weekend maybe? Who knows...
Wow that's a lot of random thoughts. Maybe I should finish this with some coherent thoughts.
Nawwwww....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCiTAJi1yRk
I don't have much to update on today. Raw was decent, as was the day at school. My night class starts Wednesday...fun stuff. I've lost 3 lbs since New Year's. I plan on checking Lowe's for that switch this weekend. I wonder how California is this time of the year. Tunica next weekend maybe? Who knows...
Wow that's a lot of random thoughts. Maybe I should finish this with some coherent thoughts.
Nawwwww....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCiTAJi1yRk
Sunday, January 10, 2010
I do believe it is time for a new blog
You know, it seems that when I feel like changing things is the only time that I update this. I suppose I should change this...after this blog.
Well, as an update on things (and I really have no idea if anyone will read this), I finished my Masters (or is it Master's? I never know) and accepted a job teaching geometry and applied algebra 2 at a high school. After a semester (heck, even after a week), I could tell it was a lot different than teaching college. I didn't like it at first because, honestly, I wasn't ready for it. I still don't know for sure how I like it or if I can see myself doing this for another 27 years, but I am open to the possibility. I have a better feel for things now than when I first started (which I would certainly hope so!).
I do like teaching...let me rephrase...I love teaching math. I haven't figured out how to flip a switch and leave my job at school instead of bringing it all home with me every night. I don't know...does such a switch exist, and can I buy it at Home Depot or Lowe's? I love math. I will always love math, and I will always want to learn more. I really want to get my Ph. D in it, but I don't know if that will be possible. This is the time where I would have the best shot at it: I'm still young, unmarried, and without roots that are tying me down. My main concern is my dog, and I want to make sure he is happy.
Back to my job, I love it. Teaching is a noble profession and an honorable one. I understand now how teachers want to make a difference. I see a lot of potential in my students...I just wish they saw it within themselves. I know that everyone of my students can do the material if they just tried. I'm still figuring out ways to get them to do this.
What else is happening in my life? Not much, to tell you the truth. I teach, I take care of Admiral, and I'm taking classes to get my certification/second Masters. That's about it. When I'm not grading or writing up notes, I play Call of Duty or watch movies. My social life is non-existent. I dated a wonderful girl during the fall semester, but we wanted different things, causing it to end abruptly. I have accepted the possibility that I might be a bachelor for a long, long time; while that sucks, at least I have accepted it. I don't know what I want, but I know what I don't want. That's a start, right?
Well, as an update on things (and I really have no idea if anyone will read this), I finished my Masters (or is it Master's? I never know) and accepted a job teaching geometry and applied algebra 2 at a high school. After a semester (heck, even after a week), I could tell it was a lot different than teaching college. I didn't like it at first because, honestly, I wasn't ready for it. I still don't know for sure how I like it or if I can see myself doing this for another 27 years, but I am open to the possibility. I have a better feel for things now than when I first started (which I would certainly hope so!).
I do like teaching...let me rephrase...I love teaching math. I haven't figured out how to flip a switch and leave my job at school instead of bringing it all home with me every night. I don't know...does such a switch exist, and can I buy it at Home Depot or Lowe's? I love math. I will always love math, and I will always want to learn more. I really want to get my Ph. D in it, but I don't know if that will be possible. This is the time where I would have the best shot at it: I'm still young, unmarried, and without roots that are tying me down. My main concern is my dog, and I want to make sure he is happy.
Back to my job, I love it. Teaching is a noble profession and an honorable one. I understand now how teachers want to make a difference. I see a lot of potential in my students...I just wish they saw it within themselves. I know that everyone of my students can do the material if they just tried. I'm still figuring out ways to get them to do this.
What else is happening in my life? Not much, to tell you the truth. I teach, I take care of Admiral, and I'm taking classes to get my certification/second Masters. That's about it. When I'm not grading or writing up notes, I play Call of Duty or watch movies. My social life is non-existent. I dated a wonderful girl during the fall semester, but we wanted different things, causing it to end abruptly. I have accepted the possibility that I might be a bachelor for a long, long time; while that sucks, at least I have accepted it. I don't know what I want, but I know what I don't want. That's a start, right?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Time for a change...
I've decided to lose this weight that I've packed on. Now, I'm not sure if I have the same will-power that I had 7 years ago when I did this, but I'm gonna give it a shot. First things first, time to cut back on things. I've already given up french fries for lent; now I've cut soft drinks and other caffeine drinks to 1 a day. That's the tough one. Looks like it'll be a lot of water for me, and maybe some Kool-Aid...gotta be careful with tea, too (FUCK!). Guess I should get rid of the chocolate in the house, eat more veggies and fruits, cut down on fried foods and (gulp) breads. And alcohol...gotta watch out for that...
Exercise? Yeah, I should do that again. That's what helped me out last time, just doing situps and pushups every night. I need to get back to doing that and also running. Ahhh...it's gonna take some time to get used to it, but after a while, it won't be too bad. It's just a big shock from my poor eating habits as of late. Let's see how it goes, and I'll post updates on here more often even.
Today: Didn't weigh myself...kinda scared to, but I will in the morning. Had water and a Special K breakfast bar for breakfast, about to get some lunch now.
More to come later...
Exercise? Yeah, I should do that again. That's what helped me out last time, just doing situps and pushups every night. I need to get back to doing that and also running. Ahhh...it's gonna take some time to get used to it, but after a while, it won't be too bad. It's just a big shock from my poor eating habits as of late. Let's see how it goes, and I'll post updates on here more often even.
Today: Didn't weigh myself...kinda scared to, but I will in the morning. Had water and a Special K breakfast bar for breakfast, about to get some lunch now.
More to come later...
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