What We Have Been Up To In Class

In Biology we have been studying arthropods. The creepy-crawlies are a favorite with the students. Never underestimate the "gross factor" in keeping their attention! We had our first dissection, the crayfish. It went very well and the students were all excited and really caught up in the learning. At the end of the dissection I gave them their first lab practicum. This is where they move from station to station answering questions while looking at marked areas of the crayfish. College science professors love to give this type of test and many students who have not been exposed to practica will bomb the first test. You have to prepare differently for a test of this type. You can't simply memorize material from a book like they are used to doing. That's why I always break my students in gently to experiencing lab tests. With the crayfish I make it pretty basic. Even then some of them do not perform well. It takes some students a practicum to figure out how to correctly prepare for them. You can tell them over and over that they study for this type of test primarily by carefully completing the lab and then drilling with their lab partner over the material and some of them just don't get it. Experience is the best teacher and those who do not perform as well as they wanted to on the first practicum will quickly catch on and make a much higher score on their next dissection. For us this will be the perch since we are moving into the chapter on fish. It is always exciting watching their progress.

We are coming up on about 5 weeks remaining in the term. Boy, time flies when you are trying to cover so much material. Ultimately you have to pick and choose what material to study and what to leave out because of the vast amount of information in the book. I try to include everything that will help those who are going on to take more advanced biological courses to succeed and to give those who are not science oriented a new appreciation of the world around them and the ability to think critically. This will aid them even if they are not meant to be future scientists or doctors. One of my goals is to enable them to help make their own decisions for medical treatment rather than just relying on the knowledge of their doctor.

Education Strikes Again

As I catch my breath let me give you all a little background. My last set of Chemistry courses was in 1974-1975. Chemistry was always my weakest subject. When I got my teaching certificate the powers-that-be stuck Chemistry as an an endorsement on my paper. I have never taught Chemistry. I have no desire to teach Chemistry. I have no aptitude for teaching Chemistry. I haven't taken a Chemistry course in more than 30 years. I have spent the past 15 years asking Tallahassee to take Chemistry off of my certification list. It would be terribly unfair and cruel for me to inflict the teaching of Chemistry upon students at my school. Their comprehension of Chemistry concepts would suffer, in spite of my efforts to teach them.

Some people just don't understand that the science disciplines are almost totally separate endeavors. They expect a teacher to be able to teach any branch of science equally well. I usually ask them the following question: "If all areas of science are equal, why don't you let your podiatrist replace that leaky heart valve of yours?".

With the downsizing of our school I got the word today from the department chairperson that I would be teaching.....drumroll please..... Chemistry! Apparently I will be one of two people left who are certified for Chemistry. The fact that I am totally incompetent for the job is immaterial. I tried to see the principal to discuss this but could not get in after waiting 40 minutes. I finally had to go back and teach so I emailed him with my reservations. I sent a copy of it to the school board chairperson and superintendent. The email pointed out that I would teach whatever they wanted me to teach but with 29 years of Biological background it seems a waste for me to act as a babysitter in classes where I can provide only a mediocre education.

This has made me decide that I am quitting after next year. Technically I will have 30 years after working for 1/2 year so I could quit halfway through the year. I would hate to do that but teaching Chemistry I would be able to provide as much guidance and instruction as if they asked me to teach calculus. I am not going to inflict my stumbling efforts to teach a subject I know little about to students who deserve better just to fill a slot. It will be a sad way to end 30 years of successful Biology and Anatomy instruction but sometimes I have no control over fate. Now I'm going to go take a pill for my migraine and try to relax.

Lord, When WIll It Ever End?

Tiredness envelops and cloaks me. We have 2 more weeks of teaching before the blessed freedom of summer comes. I flog myself awake in the morning and wait for the coffee to do its magic one more time.

I got my schedule for next year but at this time I don't know if I will be able to keep my old room. I will be teaching a combination of Biology Honors and Anatomy/Physiology Honors. This means I will be getting a good group and it should be an enjoyable experience. This is my field and though I tried hard this year with the physical science class I never really felt comfortable with the subject. Biology and Anatomy are my true passions and I can put a lot of enthusiasm into those courses.

Cheryl

I was visited in the classroom today by Cheryl, a former student, and her friend. Cheryl brought me some bones she had found to use with my Anatomy kids.

In my life as a teacher there are a few bright spots and Cheryl is one of these. I have been fortunate to share several years of her life, watching her grow from a bubbly, energetic Biology student to a curious Anatomy student, to a bright, helpful student intern, and now to a beautiful and intelligent college student. Knowing that I had a small part in helping her grow is what being a teacher is all about. I am so very proud of Cheryl and am always delighted when she comes back to say hello and update me on her current life. I don't know what course Cheryl's life will take but I'm certain that whatever path she chooses, the world will be a better place for her humor, her curiosity, and her boundless enthusiasm for life. I hope she lives life so that at the end of it she looks back and has no major regrets. Above all, I hope she is happy.