I went to a curriculum development night at my old primary/elementary/high school tonight after promising my mother I wouldn't make a ruckus or embarass her in any way. I guess I tend to get rather opinionated and loud when I hear about proposed IB or AP additions and an "integrated laptop curriculum" for junior high school kids. As if they didn't know more about the machines than their teachers did, and be able to type it four times faster. It's a Toshiba scam, I swear.
I ended up leaving during the computer portion of the talk anyway and going to chat with my elementary school science teacher, the most energetic and upbeat personality I had encountered then and since. She teaches slowly -- we spent an entire term on the Bohr atom -- but does she give it her all each time. She's also one of those inspirational yet nutty people who take a few weeks each year to volunteer overseas to "recharge" and "get back in touch with the things that matter". This summer, it's Kenya. The last time I checked in, it was swamp draining in South America. I'm practically converted to the cause.
Why did I ever lose touch with these old mentors of mine? The woman has taught everything, and manages to save orphaned animals, raise praying mantises, keep Grade 4s under control and make every kid who's ever known her love her. She's amazing. (This is my version of hero-worship.) I feel like I should board a plane on Saturday and go teach English in Mongolia for 2 weeks. (I can, too, according to http://www.vfp.org)
And now, two completely unrelated asides:
1. Does anyone have any recommendations or horror stories regarding fairly portable (i.e. less than 6 lb.) notebooks they'd like to share? I'm looking for a replacement for next year, as mandated by Evil American Law School.
2. I'm also trying to catch up on reading this summer. Does anyone have any favourites they'd like to mention to me?
I ended up leaving during the computer portion of the talk anyway and going to chat with my elementary school science teacher, the most energetic and upbeat personality I had encountered then and since. She teaches slowly -- we spent an entire term on the Bohr atom -- but does she give it her all each time. She's also one of those inspirational yet nutty people who take a few weeks each year to volunteer overseas to "recharge" and "get back in touch with the things that matter". This summer, it's Kenya. The last time I checked in, it was swamp draining in South America. I'm practically converted to the cause.
Why did I ever lose touch with these old mentors of mine? The woman has taught everything, and manages to save orphaned animals, raise praying mantises, keep Grade 4s under control and make every kid who's ever known her love her. She's amazing. (This is my version of hero-worship.) I feel like I should board a plane on Saturday and go teach English in Mongolia for 2 weeks. (I can, too, according to http://www.vfp.org)
And now, two completely unrelated asides:
1. Does anyone have any recommendations or horror stories regarding fairly portable (i.e. less than 6 lb.) notebooks they'd like to share? I'm looking for a replacement for next year, as mandated by Evil American Law School.
2. I'm also trying to catch up on reading this summer. Does anyone have any favourites they'd like to mention to me?
