1. If you weren't involved in HP Fandom, what do you think you'd be doing with your online time? I'd probably spend a lot less time online, since I'd say about 75% of the time I spend online I spend on various HP projects. I'd probably linger a bit more on the Disney and martial arts boards I lurk on, maybe spend some time doing online crosswords. I'd definitely be spending time perfecting my Roller Coaster Tycoon and Sims games.
2. Who are three students you've had who've had a profound impact on the way you teach? These first two taught me what NOT to do when teaching. The first one (and I can't remember her name, it's been a while) was when I was student teaching. After each and every test, I would circulate around the room to be available in case any of the students had questions about their results. This girl would argue with me about each and every wrong answer, about why she thought it should be right. After spending about 15 minutes with just her (out of 38 students), I finally asked her to come back during lunch. She never would do that.
The second one, was just after I started in my current job, and I shared a letter (http://bekkio.livejournal.com/245853.html) with y'all a couple of years ago after she was dropped from the program. I inherited her from the previous teacher, who had just retired. The parents were okay the first time I met them, but after the first meeting, the student just completely flaked out. I'd call her mother, and the mother would think it's no big deal, and wouldn't follow up with anything at home. By the 3rd week, the mom was barely talking to me, but my boss wanted me to keep working with the family. I called a meeting, and the mom lectured me about how I was too tough to expect her daughter to work, and that I should "be nice" and "make friends" with the students before I expected them to work. *snort* I worked way too hard with that set of parents, and that letter was my reward.
This last one means a lot to me, and my interaction with her really has shaped my overall teaching style. She was the second student I ever received in my current position, and she graduated last year, after 3 years in my program. Sweet kid, very talented, learning disabled, tended to run away from school when it got tough. I just kept chasing after her until she finished what she needed to do. I noticed that she had a wonderful eye for graphics and photography, and I suggested that she take some additional classes in those subjects. She did, and excelled at them. I really am sad that I never got a chance to congratulate her and wish her luck, she came into my office when I was at a meeting and left a card on my desk. She thanked me for telling her that she was good at something, it was something that she had rarely heard before. I cried when I read that card, and everytime I feel like I can't help one of my students, I pull it out to reread, to remind myself that I can make a difference, even if it's only a small one, in one of my kids' lives.
3. What's the best comeback one-liner you've ever been able to deliver *at the precise time* you needed it? Damn, I really wish I could answer this question! This has NEVER happened to me before. A few times with my students, something really snappish and mean has come to my head in reaction to something they've said, but unfortunately, I have to really hold back. Like my student who got tackled by the security guys at the mall because he was shoplifting stuff - he was mad that he got charged with assault when he punched the cop tackling him. *shakes head*
4. If you had no need to work, what would you do? I think I would want to do the same job I'm doing now, maybe just part time instead. I really, really love my job, and I feel like it was made just for me. No boredom (except for grading, *stabs pile*), great interaction with an age job I love, what more could I ask?
no subject
I'd probably spend a lot less time online, since I'd say about 75% of the time I spend online I spend on various HP projects. I'd probably linger a bit more on the Disney and martial arts boards I lurk on, maybe spend some time doing online crosswords. I'd definitely be spending time perfecting my Roller Coaster Tycoon and Sims games.
2. Who are three students you've had who've had a profound impact on the way you teach?
These first two taught me what NOT to do when teaching. The first one (and I can't remember her name, it's been a while) was when I was student teaching. After each and every test, I would circulate around the room to be available in case any of the students had questions about their results. This girl would argue with me about each and every wrong answer, about why she thought it should be right. After spending about 15 minutes with just her (out of 38 students), I finally asked her to come back during lunch. She never would do that.
The second one, was just after I started in my current job, and I shared a letter (http://bekkio.livejournal.com/245853.html) with y'all a couple of years ago after she was dropped from the program. I inherited her from the previous teacher, who had just retired. The parents were okay the first time I met them, but after the first meeting, the student just completely flaked out. I'd call her mother, and the mother would think it's no big deal, and wouldn't follow up with anything at home. By the 3rd week, the mom was barely talking to me, but my boss wanted me to keep working with the family. I called a meeting, and the mom lectured me about how I was too tough to expect her daughter to work, and that I should "be nice" and "make friends" with the students before I expected them to work. *snort* I worked way too hard with that set of parents, and that letter was my reward.
This last one means a lot to me, and my interaction with her really has shaped my overall teaching style. She was the second student I ever received in my current position, and she graduated last year, after 3 years in my program. Sweet kid, very talented, learning disabled, tended to run away from school when it got tough. I just kept chasing after her until she finished what she needed to do. I noticed that she had a wonderful eye for graphics and photography, and I suggested that she take some additional classes in those subjects. She did, and excelled at them. I really am sad that I never got a chance to congratulate her and wish her luck, she came into my office when I was at a meeting and left a card on my desk. She thanked me for telling her that she was good at something, it was something that she had rarely heard before. I cried when I read that card, and everytime I feel like I can't help one of my students, I pull it out to reread, to remind myself that I can make a difference, even if it's only a small one, in one of my kids' lives.
3. What's the best comeback one-liner you've ever been able to deliver *at the precise time* you needed it?
Damn, I really wish I could answer this question! This has NEVER happened to me before. A few times with my students, something really snappish and mean has come to my head in reaction to something they've said, but unfortunately, I have to really hold back. Like my student who got tackled by the security guys at the mall because he was shoplifting stuff - he was mad that he got charged with assault when he punched the cop tackling him. *shakes head*
4. If you had no need to work, what would you do?
I think I would want to do the same job I'm doing now, maybe just part time instead. I really, really love my job, and I feel like it was made just for me. No boredom (except for grading, *stabs pile*), great interaction with an age job I love, what more could I ask?