Sunday, August 26, 2012

A New School Year

Here in the desert, we're just about done with our first month of school. I know, crazy. It feels weird to be half way through the first quarter and it's not even September yet. So much for the days when school started after Labor Day. With the new schedule adopted by the school district, we do have the first week of October off, so at least I've got that much going for me (Bill Murray Caddyshack voice).

A new schedule isn't the only big change for me professionally this year. Three years ago I chose to participate in a federal study. It was a two year commitment, but I stayed a third year because I loved the people I worked with, and I believed we were turning things around. We found out this summer that the girls would be starting school later, and since I handle the mornings, I needed to find a job that fit our new family schedule better. As it turns out, the school I left had a position available, and fortunately, wanted me back. 

I'm teaching 6th grade language arts this year, and while it's a new grade for me, the content isn't much different. I'm quite enjoying it so far. A couple things are making it a unique experience. First of all, my oldest is in 6th grade this year, so for the first time in my teaching career, I have a child who is the same age as my students. I've told my students that I have high expectations for my daughter, and whatever I expect of her, I'll be expecting the same from them. What kind of teacher would I be if I didn't?

The other thing that's kind of strange is that for many of my students, I am the first male teacher they've ever had. A number of parents mentioned this to me at the little pop-in we had before school started. Some of the kids were actually nervous about it. This won't change how I do anything, but it's kind of cool to think I'm the first male teacher for some of the kids. I better make sure I represent for the fellas.

16 comments:

  1. I didn't have a male teacher until middle school, myself. We had a male PE teacher and male music teacher in elementary school, but only were with them half an hour a week. I wish I had a male teacher at a younger age because all of the female teachers were very similar - and while I had some GREAT mentors in them, I think I would have appreciated the different perspective.

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    1. Interesting point about different perspectives. Many of my colleagues are women, and while we agree on most things educational, there are differences, and I think it's important for kids to see that.

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  2. Wow, the first at 6th grade. That seems odd to me. Lukas will be starting K and will have a male teacher right off. Hope you have a great school year.

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    1. I thought it was strange too, but then when I thought about it, I realized that all the teachers at my kids' elementary are women. My oldest has a male for the first time in 6th grade herself, and she's really enjoying him.

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  3. This was a nice post, Tim. All the best to you in the incoming school year. 6th grade is such a critical transition stage.

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    1. Well, actually, I guess it's not incoming since you've been teaching for nearly a month, already.

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    2. Thanks Suze. You're right, 6th grade is an important transition year for kids, and it's fun to be a part of it.

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  4. Represent! As a teacher, I do my best to represent American teachers as a whole here in Manila. By the way, I thought we had a lot of school holidays in America, but we have nothing on the Philippines!

    How do your students find reading assignments? My ex 6th graders were never too enthused, but my other students loved it.

    Have a great school year!

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    1. Teaching in the Philippines must be quite the experience. As for reading assignments, it's a real mix. There are actually lots of kids who love to read, especially fiction. I tell the kids who say they don't like reading that they just haven't been reading the right books. Of course, the push these days is to read more informational text, which I find doesn't pull the kids in as much. My challenge is to find stuff that grabs them-work in progress.

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  5. There needs to be more men teaching school. Good of you to give boys an example of what a real man looks like.

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    1. Doin my best. One thing I love about teaching English is showing boys it's cool to love reading as much as sports and other guy stuff.

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  6. One of my daughters had her first male teacher in 6th grade, too. So far, he is her favorite teacher throughout her school years; though she may not admit it. (She's now entering 9th grade "the day after Labor Day. :) )

    Another favorite of hers was also male - 7th grade. I wondered if it was attributable to puberty and crushes, but one teacher was grandfatherly and the other not exactly the "cute" type. My daughter also has a dad at home, so they were not substitute dads.

    I'm sure the male element was somewhat of a factor; however, these guys are teachers who care deeply for their students and want them to learn the subject matter.

    I'm sure you do,too. :) Keep up the good work and have a great school year.

    Oh, best wishes to your children, too.

    (We need more male teachers.)

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  7. Aw, Tim, I'm sure you'll do fine by the fellas. I had my first male teacher in grade 5. And that was after four years of nuns. He was the coolest, coolest teacher ever (I've written about him), and was the first to inspire me to write. I'm betting you're also going to inspire lots of those kids to embrace literature and to write, write, write! Good luck this year! :)

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  8. After the first four years, where there were only women teachers, I had a nice mixture of male and female teachers all through school. I know you will do just great. Plus it is good for the kids.

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  9. Congrats on the new year starting off well!! I never had a male teacher until 6th grade. I thought it was the coolest thing ever!

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  10. Ah, a new school year! There is such a mix of emotion at that time of year. My kids went to school in the district where I taught - poor kids! I knew everything about their day every day!
    But they turned out okay anyway!

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