On the last day of school, the College Board approved my syllabus. I was a little stunned - I thought for sure I had forgotten the all important research paper explaination, but I guess they decided that just a quick mention was all that was needed.
In looking back over the past year, the idea that seems most prominant is that it went by really fast! Although I'm very glad that summer is here, it still feels like I should be in March. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that from October until May it does nothing but rain. Arizona is looking really good these days, even if it is 176 degrees there.
The year did not start out well. Half of my AP class dumped the course when they found out that I was serious about the summer assignment. While this was going on, one of the other teachers suddenly found themselves having to take leave for the entire year. A total shake up of classes ensued and I ended up with a sophomore conundrum. Yes, they were the most annoying - but they were also the most dedicated to doing their work.
AP scores don't come out until next month, which will be the real judge on how I did in teaching this course. Was I able to give them enough background knowledge, vocabulary and tools to be able to pass this exam? Did anyone's writing improve? For some, I think yes. For others, not so much. I would really like to rework for next year, because I'm not so happy with it.
The year ended with more than a couple issues hanging over everyone's head... mostly the reduction in staff and contract negotiations. To say that it was not handled in kind manner is an understatement. The most telling direct quote from up above was "it's not about people, it's about money." A nice corporate sentiment and if we were producing widgets, I bet we'd have pretty good ones. However, we aren't. This isn't a factory line and we can't be replaced by robots when it becomes too repetitive (although many of my freshman find this idea really cool). Caring, like ethics, follows down the line. If no one at the top gives a damn, it's hard for the front line to really care either.
In looking back over the past year, the idea that seems most prominant is that it went by really fast! Although I'm very glad that summer is here, it still feels like I should be in March. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that from October until May it does nothing but rain. Arizona is looking really good these days, even if it is 176 degrees there.
The year did not start out well. Half of my AP class dumped the course when they found out that I was serious about the summer assignment. While this was going on, one of the other teachers suddenly found themselves having to take leave for the entire year. A total shake up of classes ensued and I ended up with a sophomore conundrum. Yes, they were the most annoying - but they were also the most dedicated to doing their work.
AP scores don't come out until next month, which will be the real judge on how I did in teaching this course. Was I able to give them enough background knowledge, vocabulary and tools to be able to pass this exam? Did anyone's writing improve? For some, I think yes. For others, not so much. I would really like to rework for next year, because I'm not so happy with it.
The year ended with more than a couple issues hanging over everyone's head... mostly the reduction in staff and contract negotiations. To say that it was not handled in kind manner is an understatement. The most telling direct quote from up above was "it's not about people, it's about money." A nice corporate sentiment and if we were producing widgets, I bet we'd have pretty good ones. However, we aren't. This isn't a factory line and we can't be replaced by robots when it becomes too repetitive (although many of my freshman find this idea really cool). Caring, like ethics, follows down the line. If no one at the top gives a damn, it's hard for the front line to really care either.
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