A Good Week

I hate to be positive in case the demons are listening and mess up a good week. All is going well and I am looking forward to the Thanksgiving holidays. Administration and my mentor both gave satisfactory observations of my classroom. The SACS review was this week and we (CTAE) passed with flying colors. Monday the 19th is our professional learning day and I have been asked to lead the automotive collaborative session. I felt it was an honor that the county would put that much trust in me. I am so far out of my comfort zone it is hard to describe the anxiety. Each week seems to bring another challenge and then passes. A good week!!!

Fifteen second delay!!!

The stuff that comes out of my mouth sometimes even scares me. My wife told me to wait fifteen seconds before I reply to anyone’s comments. I use to be so silver tongued and witty. Today one of the coaches asked if I would coach the JV soccer team. I did not use the fifteen second rule. All I could think about was when I coached a girls soccer team. I remembered how much fun it was competing and traveling to the tournaments. So I said, “Yes.” When I arrived home and told my wife she used the fifteen second rule. She stared at me and said, “When, where, and how will I find the time to fit this into my schedule.” Well let’s see, nine hours at GSU, teaching extended day, two soccer games a week, soccer practice, and a few scrimmages sounds easy to me. Do we have mental health insurance?

Who is this?

Today at 4:00 I am busy trying to finish this week’s grades when the phone rings. Of course it is someone calling with a car problem I really don’t want to talk about. The person is a little apprehensive on the phone stuttering as if they are unsure of what they are talking about. After a lengthy conversation I have finished giving the person adequate lip service and told them they could leave their car at the bay door of the shop on Sunday and I would look at it first thing Monday. I then said, “by the way who is this?” The person answered “something Fincher.” I thought to myself that sounds like the principal’s name only I remember it as Mr. Fincher. I then realized why he was stuttering. Well I went up to the office and asked if I could keep my job and apologized for not showing a little more respect. Tomorrow is another day!!!

Can I get an IEP?

There have been a lot of positives lately even though I feel insecure about it. I seems difficult to know when to say you have done enough. How many work hours is considered enough? I guess if you have a conscience it says the job is never completed or good enough. Before I always knew when I was finished because the car would be fixed. I guess this is another learning curve that says I am out of my comfort zone. I need an IEP!!!
Just Babbling,
Garyb

Does half of a cuss word count?

I had an interesting situation today. All was well as my 26 students were cleaning the shop. Suddenly a familiar scent came upon me that smelled like natural gas. The students began to argue that the smell was the cleaning fluid. Looking towards where the smell was coming from was a gas heater. I then realized that since it was a cool day the heater had started. The only problem was there was not a flame. The smell became stronger so I told the students to exit the building. Students were still looking on and offering advice like should we open more bay doors. I emphatically insisted they leave and not bother with the doors since they might provide a spark to finish us off. The students still insisted upon staying and defying my orders. I thought for a moment that they might have become brain damaged from the smell, but since I was much older and still had my senses I figured they were still adolescents. Suddenly I said the half cuss word that started with that special letter. I shouted "get the ## out of the building." I really did stop in the middle of the word. I am pretty sure they knew what I meant since they left the building. Tomorrow is another day!!
Garyb

Compassion for the students

I have read through many of the blogs and I am amazed at how much everyone has attached emotionally to their students. The tone of the discussions have gone from aggravation to compassion and understanding. What a wonderful profession. Bless all of you!!!
Garyb

Einstein Controversy

I often in my class introduce Einstein’s quotes and theories. One of my students made a statement that he thought Einstein was crazy. I thought for a second and asked the student what he knew about Quantum Physics. Obviously the student replied that he didn’t even know the terminology. I asked him how could you make a statement like he was crazy when you don’t even know what he is talking about. The quick response to the student had been prompted by me thinking about myself and my knowledge about teaching. I realized I was a babe at this teaching profession. The more I learn the more I realize how little I really know. Teaching sure is humbling.
This is one of my favorite quotes!
"Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". Albert Szent-Gyorgi (Biochemist)1893-1986 (American)
I want to thank all the teachers at (NTI) for their patience. Garyb

Cooperative learning strategies

It was another long day at GSU. It seems difficult sometimes to finish all the projects, meetings, and then give 100 percent to your classroom. The learning curve is enough to cause anyone to go into shock. Then out of the blue today I felt for the first time I was beginning to really get it. I guess it is a little voice inside you that says I might actually be successful at teaching.
I enjoyed being apart of this cooperative learning project. I can personally relate to the group learning theory I heard real people mention they wished these learning strategies been available when they went to school. It possibly could have made a big difference in their lives and education. Bringing out the strengths in students makes for a positive learning environment. I am looking forward to mastering the cooperative methods. I truly feel that I am blessed right now with the people that are involved with (NTI).
The group in this last project that I was assigned to was exceptional. Even though we all had strong personalities everyone was sincere about the project and the students. Thanks extraordinary men.
I also must say that Dr. B is one of the most insightful people I have ever met. She has a way of seeing potential and bringing forward the best out of students. She also has a gift for not offending anyone. The effort she puts forward to being accurate and prepared is amazing. Thanks Dr. B

Racist Remarks

I had a situation were a group of students wanted to talk more than complete a computer lab assignment. I asked the students to stop the monkey business and get back to work. Then one of students twisted the remark and said, "I called him/her a monkey." The reply by the student was obviously trying to provoke a situation. Then the student took my last name and turned it into a racist word. The situation never escalated beyond that point. Parents were called and administration handled the discipline. The parents were familiar with the common cliche "monkey business." This simplistic seeming incident could have been a nightmare. I guess there will always be someone or something trying to distract a teacher from a good work. The amazing part of the story was how much the students disliked the racist remark.
Garyb

Hello and welcome to the automotive world.

Hello all! I hope your beginning teaching weeks were rewarding. Click on the video link and then on hiramradio to listen to some well deserved music by Enya.
Have a great year,
Garyb