萝卜AV视频

Always a Teacher at Heart

Last year, I was observing a middle school math class. The teacher was reviewing mathematical properties (associative, commutative, distributive). This lesson is dear to my heart. I sat patiently as the teacher used the definitions and a few examples to show the difference between the three properties. When it was clear the teacher had concluded that part of the lesson and was ready to move on, I raised my hand. I couldn鈥檛 help myself. The teacher looked at me and asked, "Dr. F, do you have a question?" 

I stood up and said, "Do you mind if I show something to the class?" The teacher agreed. I was so excited, I could hardly contain it. I asked for two student volunteers and lined them up in front of the class facing the same direction. Upon my direction, they walked forward a few steps, then turned around and walked back, staying in line with each other. I explained to the class that the students are 鈥渃ommuting鈥� back and forth. Going out, student A is in front of student B. Coming back it is reversed. That is the commutative property (A + B = B + A). They can change who is in front, but that is fine. They are both commuting to and from the same distance. A third student volunteered to help. The three students lined up side by side in front of the class as I used them to show the associative and distributive properties. 

When I was learning how to teach, my father observed me teaching that exact lesson, and he taught me the method I showed the students that day. I realized that no matter where my career takes me, I will always be a math teacher. 

I left the building, got into my car, and began to tear up. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to call my father. He would have been so proud. My father was a high school mathematics teacher for 35 years. He was my inspiration and first mentor. When I was learning how to teach, my father observed me teaching that exact lesson, and he taught me the method I showed the students that day. I realized that no matter where my career takes me, I will always be a math teacher. 

The Logistics

Since I left the classroom and became a school administrator, I have constantly looked for ways to get my math teacher fix. For many years I taught Methods for Teaching Secondary Mathematics at UNLV. That was fabulous, because I taught solid math pedagogy through modeling, so I was teaching math. Every chance I got, I would cover a teacher鈥檚 classroom. One year, I gave every teacher I supervised a "Period Off Pass." All they had to do was turn it in to me with the day, period, and topic, and I would take care of the rest. They could relax during that period. There were many times I coordinated teachers observing other teachers, so that I could cover their class. I even went so far as to bet a teacher, who was a Kansas City Chiefs fan, that the Buffalo Bills would defeat the Chiefs in the playoffs that year. If the Bills lost, I would have to cover her most challenging class. There was a silver lining to the Bills' loss that year. 

There is a history of past principals and superintendents in my current district teaching a class as part of their day. At first, I couldn't imagine how they found the time in their schedule. Last spring, my high school principal and I were talking about a dilemma she was facing with the master schedule for the following year. She needed one more section of Algebra I to lower the class sizes to appropriate. She looked at me and asked, "Want to teach a section of Algebra I next year?" Without a second thought, I agreed. 

Scheduling my day around it was not nearly as difficult as I expected. It helps that we are on a 4-day week and a block schedule, so my classes are always on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time. I just block out that time on my calendar each week. There have only been two classes all year, thus far, that I have had to miss for other work commitments. 

The Result

The truth of the matter is that teaching is the best part of my day. Connecting with a group of students at that level is so fulfilling. Gaining a true understanding of and empathy for our teachers and students has added perspective to my decision making. My students told me that they were stressed at the beginning of the year when they learned that their math teacher was the superintendent. As the year has progressed, they see that I am a real person, and actually a laid back teacher. 

Being forced to leave my office and interact with individual students for at least 3.5 hours per week has added a positive aspect to my days. It has helped them feel more comfortable around me and they appreciate that I am gaining their perspective. Teaching my own class, getting back to my roots, even if for only one class, has been exhilarating and refreshing. 

Administrators, I implore you to build a class for yourself into your master schedule. I promise, you won鈥檛 regret it.