Please post responses to the following by Sunday, May 4, 11PM. To post comments, you can create an account or you can post comments using "anonymous" but be sure to include your name in the comment, e.g. "From Randy:"
- Name
- City/town
- profession you are leaving to enter teaching
- your experience with teaching or working with young people (it is okay if you don't have much experience!!)
- a short blurb about your favorite teacher of all time
- From the Insight for Newbies blog post identify ONE thing that stands out. Be very concise.
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ReplyDeleteMy name is Pennell Hamilton. I retired last May from 34 years as a Health Insurance Actuary and Finance Professional. Over the past year I have been doing some private math tutoring (6-7 students) ranging from grade 6 -11. I have also been part of math mentoring program run by the actuarial department at Aetna. My favorite teacher was was an economics teacher from college, Robert Samuelson who while clearly brilliant was always searching for new ways to explain difficult concepts in a way we could understand.
ReplyDeleteOne theme from the "advice to newbies" section that stood out to me was the exhortations to pay attention to work/life balance during the program. I have struggled with this my entire professional career and I am sure I will continue to struggle. Any advice would be welcome.
Tim Kollmer checking in from Niantic, CT (southeast corner).
ReplyDeleteI am (next summer) retiring from the Navy (submarines). As far as working with youth goes, the 'working' Navy is mostly a younger crowd, a few years older than the high school crowd, but we definitely have Sailors who are a day out of high school. I have had a few instructor/teacher shore assignments throughout my career, although none specifically in Math.
My favorite teacher, Mr. Joseph Boccia, promoted a classroom climate that made you want to come to class. He had a great attitude and great teaching skills.
Two things that stand out from the 'old salts' are the importance (and ROI) of preparation, and to keep up with the daily tasks/reflections.
Pennell, it sounds like you are volunteering to be the 'social coordinator' for the Math team...just kidding!, but an occassional lunch out might do us all some good. Cheers.
From Randy:
DeleteMy grandfather was a salty dog but served in the army (munitions). We've had a couple sailors pass through math methods. What grade level did Boccia teach?
I am always fascinated listening to the old timers speak of the Army.Navy.Marines of their generation.
DeleteMr. Boccia taught 9th grade Algebra.
Matt Buchta from Sherman CT here (near the NY border).
ReplyDeleteI have been somewhat of an academic for the past several years spending time taking various advanced math courses, doing research, and teaching in some form or another at different universities as well as with a federal grant program to promote and encourage mathematics with inner-city high school students.
In terms of working with youth - I have been teaching freshman and sophomore college math courses in some capacity since 2005. I have also been involved with the Boy Scout program as an adult leader for around a decade as well as work at a local Boy Scout Summer camp program in various capacities. From these opportunities I have a fair bit of experience working with and developing youth aged 10 and up.
I would say that one of my top teachers was my high school Calculus teacher who promoted an atmosphere of learning - and he was there with a 'kick in the pants' when it was needed as well as an 'atta-boy' when it was deserved. Making individual students want to reach their individual potential.
An observation from previous blog entries is that its important to maintain current with the workload as it would be easy to fall behind.
From Randy:
DeleteI serve as an adjunct as well - MCC, CCSU, UConn and USJ. This is great experience because it provides you a perspective from the "other side."
I'm Noah Mealy, and I live in West Suffield, CT. It's on the MA border, right where the "notch" is.
ReplyDeleteI studied chemical engineering in college, which I finished in 2011. I never had a career in it, I had a little trouble finding anything around here right after I finished. About a year after, I had the chance to fill in for a former high school teacher, and I've felt much more passionate about teaching than I had about engineering, so I decided to finish up some necessary math courses and become a teacher.
I have been working with students, mostly high school but a few middle school, through substitute teaching and tutoring over the past two years. I love being able to teach while I sub, rather than giving out a couple sheets and telling the kids to do them. Even when I'm not asked to teach lessons, I try to help the students with their assignments in math, science, and even Spanish to a lesser degree. It's much more rewarding to feel like you've been useful rather than just babysitting the kids haha! Tutoring has also been great, I've worked with probably 10-15 students in math and chemistry. It's great to see their motivation and then pride when they achieve!
My favorite teacher is my high school Algebra 2 and Calculus teacher, Ann Marie Kimmett. She always had several ways to explain concepts, which I have found so helpful in trying to teach toward different students' strengths. I was lucky enough to be able to work with her during her last year of teaching last year, and she is definitely the type of teacher that I hope to be.
Something I noticed in a lot of posts was the importance of finishing reflections/assignments in a timely manner, so they don't pile up, but to also make time to relax so you don't burn yourself out.
From Randy:
Delete"She always had several ways to explain concepts, which I have found so helpful in trying to teach toward different students' strengths." - Noah
Everyone remember that Noah made this point!
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ReplyDeleteI'm Emily Kubena. I grew up in Wethersfield, but most recently we bought a home in Columbia, CT. For those of you that have not heard of it, you are not alone. It's a small town in eastern Connecticut.
ReplyDeleteI have been working with youth and teens since I was in high school, but professionally I had been working as an administrator for youth, teen, and family programs and urban outreach for the Greater Hartford YMCA. I grew disenchanted when the majority of my work became office-centered work rather than working directly with the kids I was serving.
I decided last August I wanted to go into teaching, so I left my position with the YMCA and became a math/science instructional assistant at a high school nearby. In March, I landed a job as a math teacher at a regional middle/high school, and have just loved every minute of it.
I had some amazing professors in college, but my favorite high school teacher was my math teacher from my Junior and Senior year, for Pre-Calc and Calc 1. He was charismatic and funny, which captivated everyone's attention, no matter what walk of life they came from. His being approachable but sarcastic really resonated with our age group, and he naturally ignited a desire in his students to succeed. Teens want to be "cool," and Mr. Jensen made it cool to want to be good at math. He also supported any of his students who needed help outside of the classroom. His door was always open and he would always lend support and a listening ear.
What stood out to me most about the Newbies Insight blog post was how many different people all were saying the same thing; get reflections done immediately. It makes me think it's an easy mistake to make (to procrastinate), and I am glad to have the sage advice of those who may have already made it!
From Randy:
DeleteI forgot to reinforce a major aspect of summer ARC: it is INTENSE! You get a certificate in 2 1/2 months so there is inherently a high concentration of stuff to do. You simply cannot fathom this until it happens, especially when you student teach.
Hi, I'm Jennifer Shaw and I live in New Haven, CT.
ReplyDeleteLast year I finished my doctorate in Dramaturgy--a combination of theater history, theory, criticism, translation, and teaching. So I'm leaving the theater, I suppose.
One of my favorite parts of being a dramaturg was working with school groups, holding Talk Backs, visiting schools beforehand to answer questions and give the kids some insight into productions before they came to see them. I also designed Study Guides for the kids, with background info, comprehension questions, discussion starters, and other activities. I've also worked as a summer camp counselor, a nanny, and SAT Prep teacher and tutor.
All throughout grad school I tutored high school kids, and despite hating SAT prep, I found I really enjoyed tutoring math. Coming from an arts background, I found I could connect with kids who discounted themselves when it came to math and bring some of the historical context back into it for them.
My favorite teacher was my high school Latin, English, Humanities, and Art History teacher. He made a lot of time for me and let me design my own course of study in many of those areas. He also never stopped learning and following his own interests--hence the long list of subjects he taught. Best of all, he never let me take myself too seriously--something I needed as a teenager!
I particularly appreciated two notes to Newbies: 1) to ask for positive feedback and 2) to not take criticism personally. This has been my first year teaching and I get feedback from 6 different teachers. It can be hard to hear the good when you're so focused on wanting to fix what went wrong. And it can be hard to separate your sense of self from criticism of your lesson.
From Randy:
DeleteThe ability to connect and empathize with students who struggle will serve you well!!
Hello everyone!
ReplyDeleteI’m T.J. Ostruzka and I think that I win the award for the longest commute. I’ll be joining this class from Stamford, CT. Stamford is in the Southwest corner of the state and it is a “short” hour and forty-five minute drive from Hartford.
I am currently working as a paraprofessional in a special education resource room. My days are never the same and I love being able to help he students I work with. I mainly focus on the math and science classes of the 9th-12th graders in my program. It has always been my goal to teach my own math class. I love seeing the looks on the students’ faces when they truly understand a topic and are able to apply the idea to other aspects of their lives. In addition to my work in the resource room, I also am a varsity football coach and athletic site supervisor. I also run a summer camp for 1st – 6th graders in Mamaroneck, NY.
My favorite teacher of all time was surprisingly not a math teacher, she taught English. Carol Ramsey made every lesson come to life and found a way to get us math/science types excited to study English. Her passion for the subject was infectious and you could not help being drawn in by the way her lessons were delivered.
The insight for Newbies idea that stood out for me was “those who stay local have more time to commit to the program”. I decided that it was best for me to find a place in Hartford for at least the first month of classes. The idea of a three plus hour commute time every day is a little overwhelming, and I feel as if I’ll be able to make better use of my time if I stay local.
From Randy:
DeleteIf you can leverage your special ed background, even as a para, into math you will be unique and highly valuable. I teach 3 special ed math courses - my specialty. We will talk!
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ReplyDeleteFrom Randy:
DeleteOK, I love frisbee so we'll have to develop a math activity that involves us going outside to toss it around!
Kelli Schaller from Torrington, CT
ReplyDeleteHello all. My apologies for the 12 hour oversite on deadline - will not happen again.
I am leaving a job as Executive Assistant for a Private Equity Investment firm in downtown Hartford, CT. Some of our investments that you may know are Simoniz, and Stonewall Kitchen. It's an interesting place, with only 4 of us in the office. I assist the President and VP with a wide variety of government reporting, HR, accounting, and administrative tasks. The principals are retiring, and the new partner is moving our office to Westport, therefore I have decided to transition to Education, a dream of mine for a long time.
Regarding working with young people, I taught Sunday School many years ago and also peer tutored my fellow UConn students when I was an undergraduate. I also have a 4 year old son, so teaching him is a daily experience and filled with wonderment. That is all my experience with youngsters.
My favorite teacher of all time was Mr. Werner, high school Geometry. He was funny, energized, and always interjecting life stories into our lessons. I saw him recently and told him my plans to teach. He said I'd make a great teacher and his feedback was very encouraging!
From the Insight for Newbies, the one thing that stands out is to keep up daily with reflections. I have to agree that if you fall behind, the "real-time" perspective may be lost, and the end value behind the reflection entries will suffer.
Again my apologies for being tardy; I am wrapping up a graduate class with the e-Portfolio and final exam tonight and will be sharp as a tack from here on in.
From Randy:
DeleteGreat point about the "real time" reflection. Ideally candidates learn to engage in ongoing reflection. One of the best candidates I've ever trained shared that she was "here to learn" and she wanted to get as much from the presenters as possible. A reflective mind allows a candidate to effectively process the content presented.
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ReplyDeleteselective school test