A late note

The semester has started up at work and my two classes have gotten off and running.  I'm teaching Calculus and Algebra 2 and so far I'm having a good time in both classes.

I was asked the other day how I can stand to be their teacher (the algebra 2 kids).  Today I was explaining a concept for the umpteenth time and one of them said "now I get it".   Those words keep me going.  To see the look on someone's face when the puzzle comes together and the answer makes sense.  Or alleviating the dread of taking a test because I reassure that they're using the correct methods.  Sure, it's hard work and I push them to do more; to pay attention and take notes and answer my questions asking them just to take guesses while I hope that they're developing intuition about these topics.  I work hard to think of ways to explain a topic six ways to Sunday.  Sometimes they'll get the idea right away; other times I just have to keep showing them again and again.  But it's the "now I get it"'s and the questions that make me think about the answer; questions that test my understanding or that apply concepts beyond what we're learning.  Indicators that what I'm saying is not only sticking, but inspiring original thought.

I hope that as this semester progresses I can get every student to be involved and find an enjoyment of their subject.  If they enjoy themselves, the grades go up.  I try to keep my classes interesting and not too dense by injecting humor, or anecdotes, or just engaging the students in conversation.  The calculus classes most often lead to interesting discussions.  We talk about college a lot when I teach calc.  Everyone has questions and not that I have every answer, but I try to give them perspective on what they might encounter.  Values of working hard, asking questions, keeping on top of assignments, and being true to themselves.

Mostly though, I'm just happy that what I have to share is well received and that I am taken seriously when I teach.  I have respectful students who are trying hard and showing that they care about their work just as I do.  I feel like I've been living and breathing this stuff for years, and while I don't need them to be that into math, at least come away from the class with a "gee, that was actually pretty interesting, I wonder what else there is to learn?" attitude.  If nothing else, if I can inspire my own desire to continue learning and how much importance I place on education, I feel like I've succeeded.  Not that a high class average bothers me at all either.

What's in the bag?

I bought this bag about 4 years ago from the Chrome store in San Francisco.  It's called the Chrome Mini-Metro and has pretty much been everywhere with me since then.  Easily one of my cornerstone possessions, unfortunately its time is coming to an end.

By the end of college, this bag was beginning to feel a little cramped, especially when I had a binder or two and my netbook.  With the advent of my iPad, the load is definitely lessened some, but I'm still finding it hard to cram my regular gear in with the binders I need for teaching.  While on that topic, take a look at my daily gear; the iPad camera kit to transfer photos on the fly from my camera & even iphone; an iPhone charger, Zagg Z.Buds, a cleaning cloth, my trusty TI-89 calculator, some dry erase markers, my green laser (you never know...), an ink refill for my pen, red pens for grading, a duracell backup battery, iPhone cable, 4GB flash drive, aux stereo cable & RCA adapter, bluetooth headset, swiss army knife, and of course, my iPad.

Settling in

A few years ago I learned about the Settlers of Catan board game from one of my weekly podcasts; The Totally Rad Show.  Since then I have purchased the game, received add-on packs and expansions, and played at least a hundred games (or so it seems).  Often my dad and I will play a few times per week.  Now, the game has been shown on here before, but I've collected many of the pictures that I take of our finished boards (whether I win or lose) and thought the compilation looks fun.