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Matthew's Final Class
May. 12th, 2011 08:55 pmMatthew feverishly prepped for his final exam, which is tonight - RIGHT NOW! I "helped" him a little in peripheral preps; i.e. he wanted to provide some snacks for them during the exam, give each student a folder with all the materials they need for the 4-hr assignment (YIKES!), and play a sound bite if any of them talk to anyone (which they can't for 4 hours). I created these two sound bites for him to use off his phone when needed:
I also put together his personalized notes to each student. Yyes, he actually composed and printed out VERY pretty notes to each student on this stationery!
Upon walking into the classroom tonight, each student will have gotten a folder with their exam info, a sandwich Ziploc baggie with: 1) M&Ms, 2) a KitKat bar, 3) pretzels, 4) trail mix, and 5) two little gel ink pens. He was so excited about the final exam and giving these kids some encouragement. I think he's really cut out for teaching: He really cares about his students and gets frustrated when he knows they can do better and they're not doing it. He takes measures to make the class and materials interesting, fun, and very informative. I loved hearing about his development process of each class (some of my photography was incorporated! YAY!) and each evening he completed when he got home.
The main drawback (as is mine in the end) is the *lack of* money. With his expertise in the field about which he was teaching (web development), he was making more than 5-6 times more than this teaching gig pays. Who knows? He might decide to get his masters/doctorate and teach full time, but I doubt it, no matter how emotionally and spiritually rewarding the experience is. Been there, done that myself.
Love teaching, but it ain't gonna pay the bills.
Matthew on his way in the elevator to his final exam:
FOLLOW UP: One student at the end of the exam (which apparently stumped LOTS of the students! Even the good ones!) turned in his paperwork, took his hand-addressed card from Matthew and shuffling backwards out of the classroom said, "Uuuh, you're a good teacher..." without looking away. When he got to the door, he turned and left. Isn't that cute?
I also put together his personalized notes to each student. Yyes, he actually composed and printed out VERY pretty notes to each student on this stationery!
Upon walking into the classroom tonight, each student will have gotten a folder with their exam info, a sandwich Ziploc baggie with: 1) M&Ms, 2) a KitKat bar, 3) pretzels, 4) trail mix, and 5) two little gel ink pens. He was so excited about the final exam and giving these kids some encouragement. I think he's really cut out for teaching: He really cares about his students and gets frustrated when he knows they can do better and they're not doing it. He takes measures to make the class and materials interesting, fun, and very informative. I loved hearing about his development process of each class (some of my photography was incorporated! YAY!) and each evening he completed when he got home.
The main drawback (as is mine in the end) is the *lack of* money. With his expertise in the field about which he was teaching (web development), he was making more than 5-6 times more than this teaching gig pays. Who knows? He might decide to get his masters/doctorate and teach full time, but I doubt it, no matter how emotionally and spiritually rewarding the experience is. Been there, done that myself.
Love teaching, but it ain't gonna pay the bills.
FOLLOW UP: One student at the end of the exam (which apparently stumped LOTS of the students! Even the good ones!) turned in his paperwork, took his hand-addressed card from Matthew and shuffling backwards out of the classroom said, "Uuuh, you're a good teacher..." without looking away. When he got to the door, he turned and left. Isn't that cute?
