An Opener of Doors

Exciting and Kinda Scary

Just found out that my teacher’s son has an upper respiratory infection, so he is going to have to stay home with him tomorrow. That means that I’m teaching… every single class. Kind of scary, since I’m used to him being there for support, but I’m sure that I’ll survive it, no matter how bad it gets!

In other exciting news, I found out my Praxis scores today! If you don’t know much about the Praxis, they are tests that assess your knowledge in your content area, as well as teaching strategies. The scores are out of 200. A passing score in Biology is a 146 and a passing score on the Principles of Learning and Teaching 7-12 is a 161. I scored a 168 and 191 (!!!) respectively. The level of excitement that  I feel about not having to take these tests again is indescribable! I’m so happy =D

Student Response Gold

My favorite thing about teaching has to be interacting with the students. Every period provides some kind of comic gold. Today, the students were in top form. Here are just a few of the things that made me chuckle today.

Student: You know who you remind me of when you wear your glasses?

Me: Who?

Student: Taylor Swift (One look at my profile picture reveals why I find this humorous)

Student: (To the special ed. teacher) I’m going to need you to turn around, ok?

Special Ed. Teacher: Why?

Student: I have to scratch in my nether region. (Granted, he usually doesn’t ask before he does this, so we’re making progress.)

Student: So, to get four sections, we fold the paper in half and then in half again? (Not to mention that he’s actually folding it as he’s asking me)

The assignment today was to choose 4 of the characteristics of life and draw out examples for them. I made a point that all drawings should be appropriate for school, especially for reproduction.

Student: (For the characteristic “Responds to Stimuli”) Would it be inappropriate for me to draw someone with their eyes burned out because they looked directly at the sun?

And from the same student later on, still trying to figure out something for Stimuli

Student: You know, this one reminds me of my mother and uncle… and their feud.

Me: Ok… how?

Student: Well my mother hits my uncle with (some sort of electrical something) and then he attacks her back.

Me: Well, that’s certainly a response to a stimulus, but I don’t think you should draw that.

I’ve also been grading some of the lab reports that they have turned in. One of my favorite answers has been this (and I’m paraphrasing): 

-The error for this lab comes from human error because humans make mistakes and mess up on things and there’s nothing you can do about it because nobodies perfect and you just have to live with it and do the best you can do.

I’m exhausted.

Gender Gap in the STEM Fields (cont.)

americasnexttopteacher:

As part of my masters program, we run an after school science club for girls at a local inner-city high school.  I think the beauty of this is something that I want to bring into my classroom - it’s not suggesting a career for students, but rather making science accessible, which is something that students of any gender struggle with.  

I’m not sure exactly what to do to ensure gender equality in the classroom.  My idealist teaching says teach to individuals, not groups of people.  That is, I won’t teach boys a certain way and girls a certain way just because they identify with a male or female gender.  

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Gender Gap in the STEM Fields

New Data on STEM Gender Gap

The U.S. Department of Commerce released new data on Wednesday on the gender gap in science and technology fields — stressing the economic impact on women. The study noted that women hold almost half of all jobs in the United States, but less than 25 percent of those in STEM fields. This trend continues even though women in STEM jobs earn 33 percent more, on average, than do women in other fields. And the data show that of those who study STEM fields in college, women are less likely to seek out STEM jobs. Of men with a STEM degree, 40 percent work in science and technology fields, while only 26 percent of comparable women do so.

I feel like this is probably the area that I will work at the most when I get my own classroom. The gap doesn’t stem necessarily from that girls are not as good as science as boys, but rather that they have developed this mental image that scientists are men. Gender equality is already an issue that I’m very passionate about, so I think that this will be a good way for me to make a difference through my career.

Other science teachers, how do you encourage your female students to consider choosing a career in the STEM fields?

Just as a note, this is probably going to be a 2-3 times a week blog until I get into a solid routine. I promise there will be a good post tomorrow with some exciting news!

That Old Familiar Feeling

Ah, the first day of school. It’s just not the same in college. Today was really a lot of fun. It’s nice to be on the other side of the first day for once. To not be the terrified freshman, or the senior who is just ready to graduate. It was pretty entertaining to just sit back and observe. 

Here’s a breakdown of my schedule to give a little perspective for today’s post:

1st Period: Pre-AP Biology

2nd Period: Pre-AP Biology

3rd Period: Pre-AP Biology

4th Period: Biology I (We also have several students from Special Education integrated into this class)

5th Period: Biology I

6th Period: AP Biology

7th Period: Planning

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