This thread is for all of the instructors out there.

When I first came to Utah in August 2002, the mere idea of teaching was enough to throw me into a vicious bout of fear. The thought of me being entrusted to teach an entire class a set of math concepts was a daunting one indeed. However, once I got my feet wet, I found that I LOVE teaching. It truly has been the most rewarding experience for me here. Not only did I gain confidence in myself, through teaching I have also learned what the most dynamic aspects of my personality are. I've learned that I CAN handle serious responsibility. I've learned that I CAN accomplish something daunting if I focus my energy enough. It really seemed like a rite of passage into adulthood for me.

Today I got my evaluations from last semester's students. I blew away the departmental average on every question. Seriously though, I realize how special my first class was. It was filled with imaginative, challenging, respectful students who put forth the effort and energy to make each day worthwhile and make teaching such an enriching experience for me. I miss my students greatly. Do the instructors among you still remember your first class? Will they always hold a special place in your heart?

Let's hear it for teachers!

Teachers suck!

Especially enlish literature teachers!

teachers in britain are the worst treated of all professions...it really sux here!!!

What a wonderful, and somewhat timely thread Moonbeam

It is great to hear about the energising ways that teaching is having on you... so important to spend time doing something u love that gives you all that you have described here - which sounds a really rich experience and a really important one... I can so relate man...

I am thinking of going into teaching myself... I think I'd really like to be a Drama teacher. I have creative energy that I would love to use in some way and I think that teaching may be the way. Hearing of the way that teaching has assisted you on your journey in life is truely inspiring.

My next step is to get to my local Learning Shop, which is like a Careers Office for adults in the UK... so I can find out all I can.

I hope it continues to bring u many years happiness

Therapy said:

With your mad poetry skills, I'm sure you would make a wonderful teacher with some creative aesthetic. It truly has been enriching for me, and I wish you the same enrichment in whatever way you choose to manifest your gifts.

bkw said:

Somebody failed Freshman Comp...

And you know what Moonbeam, I bet you are a heck of a nice teacher...

Once upon a time, I thought that maybe I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.

Wot a lot of old bollox that was.

Teaching is an admirable profession. And they are not appreciated enough.



And if they wear a mumu while teaching, even better.

Moon that is so cool! I have a couple of friends that teach and their first "couple" of years were daunting and turbulant. They say that is the norm.


Hipphipphurray for u

Since I am not a teacher...I thought I would pay a little tribute to a few who enriched my life.

Nobody has had greater impact on my confidence as my English Instructors have.

Taught English at the Honokaa High and Elementary School, in Honokaa, Hawaii:

Mr. Gordon Kainoa - Everyone hated him, because he cut to the chase, and went the extra mile to prepare us for college. He made us write a 26 page essay, with all the expectations of a college professor. I owe him a LOT.

Currently teaching College English 1 and 2, at Minneapolis Community and Technical College:

Mr. Michael Kuhne - My college professor. He lives to teach. He has a passion for it that radiates from him like rays of sunshine. Students plan schedules around this man. I will never forget him.

I could go on and on praising these individuals, but I will spare you.

My first class was when I did student teaching at an elementary school. 6th grade. And in the middle of my observation period there, the teacher had a death in his family and had to take a leave of absence leaving me alone with the class for two weeks.

Pure hilarity.

Try the by-the-book classroom management techniques on a 25 11-year-olds--you got a full bag all types:

the clowns , the whiners , the stank , the loonytunes , the brownosers , the apathetic , the profane , the goodytwoshoes , the weird , the taunters , the excited , the bully , well you get the picture.

So anyway, one the first day of class by myself, somebody decide he gonna say "yo momma" to someone else. Before I could say "take out your reading books and turn to page..." a full fledged fight breaks out. Chairs and desks flying everywhere.

Chaos all over the place between this little dude and a girl! Now one of the first things they instruct teachers, esp. male teachers, is DO NOT TOUCH female students no matter what cuz of potential for crazy shit happenin. So I'm yealling at the top of my lungs "STOP FIGHTING" and trying to call the class to order. ORDER ORDER!!!

I resort to that punkass teacher control technique...

flipping the light switch on and off. Hahah. Hilarious now that I look back at it. Them chirren aint pay me no mind whatsoever. Finally I was like fuckalldat and yanked the two children off each other.

PHEW! I told lil man, you KNOW DAMN WELL those two word ("yo momma") are fightin words. Don't nobody talk about anybody's MOMMA!

Any case, after that things seemed to go smoother. Of course I had to bribe the little byatches with candy damn near every day as a reward if they would sit they ass quiet and do their work. Some baddasses I tell you. I wonder if the principle wondered why I was goin to school with a box of charms blowpops every day

After that student teaching I decided I needed to work with older students and headed off to high school where I had lots more fun. I'll only deal with lil chirren only if I can beat they azz if they act up.

My high school teaching experience was mad cool tho, and the students seemed to really like me a lot. Of course there were some fastassed girls up in the camp who kept tryin to ask me out

Great story, NuPwrSoul! Thanks for sharing.

LaVisHh said:

yeah!!

NPS, great story! Thank God I work with college students!

2the9s said:

I have no idea what that is.

So --> "Did not!" :p

When I was a kid, life at home wasn't so great. But I loved going to school, because there were teachers I really looked up to and who obviously appreciated and cared about me. This made all of the difference.

Keep teaching, Moonbeam--you may end up being a mentor and saving grace for someone!

AnotherLover2 said:

He already is!

Well done my brilliant and amazing one... I ALWAYS knew you would excel in this and anything else you put your mind to.

Love you...

Teachers :wOOt:

Thanks for all the love guys. I really miss my students. I may be biased, but I think my kids really were something special. The teacher-student bond is one that is very new to me, but I adore it. Nothing is more satisfying than making someone confident and helping someone learn.

i think teaching is a calling. so many people are in the profession that probably shouldn't be...

a relevant current issue: more and more children are born indigo, and are being misdiagnosed w/ learning and behavior disorders (and being drugged for the latter)... i recommend you check out www.indigochild.com, if you haven't already, especially the sections about education... it'll bring to mind some of the kids you've already taught, i'm sure. these are special kids in the truest sense of the word - if misunderstood, they have troubles.

best of luck!