When I started at my current position, I was, of course, the low man on the totem pole. Originally, I was hired to teach a couple non-traditional classes. Science in Technology was a jumble of eight different modules that the kids rotated around throughout the year. The "Tech Lab" was a really neat set up and I had been working on extending some of those modules into full classes when we did away with it. Principles of Technology was a physics alternate where four freshmen inexplicably made up the entire class.
After awhile, a series of unfortunate events led to both of those classes being dissolved and me being assigned to a wide variety of miscellaneous classes. There were several years in there where they just couldn't decide what to do with me, so they gave me a new class. Every year*. We had two other science teachers in the building who were extremely comfortable in their teaching positions, so biology was taken, chemistry was taken, physics was taken.
So, mostly, I ended up with "those" kids. The ones who couldn't read, couldn't sit still, couldn't focus, couldn't pass. This is where, by trial and error, I learned intervention strategies, inhuman patience, actual differentiation and not to write today's date on the IEP.
To be honest, this is where I truly learned how to teach.
Fast forward to another series of events and I find myself teaching chemistry, geology, ocean science, meteorology and astronomy. Next fall, I am going to be adding in an Engineering Design class.
That doesn't really sound lower level, does it?
P.S. Anyone have any good resources for an engineering class??
*Looking back on that, I am now a little paranoid wondering if they were trying to get rid of me. Hmmm. Guess I didn't get the hint.
I remember Principles of Technology. I loved teaching that class, I wonder why they got rid of that class?
ReplyDeleteI did too! We ended up getting rid of it because it wasn't being funded any more.
ReplyDeleteI just started reading your blog and I once was an Engineering Technician (a drafter) but now am a science teacher. Engineering is my love and honestly I would say talk to your local engineers. I think the PE (Professional Engineers) association has resources for teachers. There are also Project Lead the Way classes that are pre-engineering and have to have some lesson plans/ideas online somewhere. Local engineers though are typically willing to help get students involved in engineering and will come talk to students, give real life examples of engineering happening in their community, and can even help "judge" a project.
ReplyDeletePatricia
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas! I have heard of PLW, but wasn't able to fit a class in this summer. I'll have to look a little more for resources from that. I am really excited about this class and have had a huge number of kids interested in it. I will definitely keep you posted :)