Posts Tagged ‘ap’
What do employers want from a letter of reference?
My master teachers submitted two very different letters, perhaps owing to their two very different perspectives on teaching. One master teacher wrote mostly about my abilities and techniques in the classroom. He even threw in a specific example, bless his heart.
My other master teacher wrote on some of that, too, but also stuck in these grafs.
Benjamin has a journalism degree and experience including currently serving as a copy editor for his college paper. This has enriched his teaching perspective and the students have benefited greatly. He is also working with our journalism teacher to present some instruction and work with her students as he is able. He also has 10 years of band experience and particularly enjoys marching bands. …
Benjamin has the 9th grade English clearance and is completing his English credential in addition to Social Studies. Because of his own background in AP classes he hopes to eventually teach AP US History. He would do well in Academic Decathalon or Mock UN.
Isn’t this background stuff I should touch on during the interview? Or does she include these details in case I forget them during the interview?
Given that this is in the recommendation letter, what should I put in the cover letter that some districts insist on? What is interview etiquette on this measure?
Moreover, will the inclusion of AP U.S. History brand me as one of those elitists? If that’s the case, I’ll never be able to run for president.
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I never had any doubt about how I wanted to teach the 50 U.S. states and their capitals. My high school juniors will sing along with Wakko and the Animaniacs.
Likewise, any world history or geography class I teach will have to follow along with the song with every country in the entire world except Kosovo.
Where did I get this inspiration? My 5th grade teacher.
When I teach AP U.S. history, my students will do flashcards, and the tests will be composed of actual though retired Advanced Placement questions.
If I’m stuck doing it chronologically, my students will do chapter summaries in PERSIA format — sorting period events out into political, economic, religious, social, intellectual and artistic categories.
Where did I get this inspiration? My 11th grade AP U.S. history teacher.
My journalism students will have weekly current events quizzes.
They will also write two stories a week. They will receive credit based on how poorly they do not write. Any story which misspells a name receives an automatic zero.
Students who want to improve their grade are allowed to seek me out in advance of the due date. Whenever I see it, I will mercilessly edit every story in front of me.
Where did I get this inspiration? My journalism professor.
Moral of the story? There’s a pattern here, somewhere, but I just can’t place my finger on it.
I used to ignore that advice. I believed that we, as teachers, should be cordial and friendly to our students so that they stay motivated and engaged. Sure, teaching is the first priority, but shouldn’t being fair, courteous and friendly take a close second, especially in the parts of town where our students may not see a fair, courteous or friendly face?
Then I read the latest teacher-as-statutory-rapist story, and I was reminded why friendliness isn’t the teaching priority.
A former middle school teacher was sent to prison for six years Tuesday for having sexual encounters with five teenage boys. Authorities said Allenna Ward, 24, met 14- and 15-year-old boys at the school where she taught as well as at a motel, a park and behind a restaurant.
“I apologize from the depths of my heart,” Ward said in court.
Some people take it to an extreme, even if only due to serious mental issues.
That part about picking up middle school and freshmen boys behind a restaurant — ugh. It’s hard to stay positive about committing myself to a low-paying, entry-level seasonal job when stories like this come out every few months.
I swear I’m not being crude, but from looking at her mugshot, she isn’t a poor-looking young lady. How divorced from reality do you have to be to think that teenage boys are the only ones you could empathize with? Some don’t even wear deodorant.
That isn’t supposed to be flippant. It just comes out that way when I’m frustrated.
Moral of the story? I don’t have one because I can’t be pithy about this. Stupid people frustrate me.
