Let me start by saying I am not a trained math teacher. Hey, I’m technically not even a trained teacher teacher. But my biggest struggle has been trying to teach my students math.
I know that this year has been taxing on everyone (and I’m thankful I don’t have to do my student teaching this year) but to no one's surprise, it’s really hard to just get kids to work!
So assuming that my student shows up for his online classes AND is willing to work is just the tip of the iceberg. Being able to effectively teach him my own struggle subjects (specifically math) is a whole new beast.
I’ve never had a good math brain. Math brain smooth. No wrinkles. No thinky.
But now, not only do I have to understand the concept well enough to tutor a student, which is bad enough, but also to convey those lessons over the internet. I can’t do that teacher thing of leaning over the shoulder to correct an equation or make a minus mark into a positive. I have to share a screen and write online. My already horrible handwriting is worsened 10 fold by using a mouse and keypad. It’s illegible!
My school is returning to in person learning tomorrow. When I return, I'll have to work in a full classroom while also working and attending my PSU classes. More information on the logistics of that to come, I assure you. Stay tuned.
I miss the good old days of face-to-face cooperative learning. Back before the plague when I could sit next to my friends or student to work with them... I look forward to returning to the days of Old Town Road parodies...
Thank you for the laughs. Teaching math remotely is no joke. My handwriting is deplorable too... it's unintelligible when I write via a mouse. I write on paper and show my students... it's not the best solution; however, it works for us. Good luck balancing in person and remote instruction as well as learning!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that I want to compliment is your voice in your writing. It feels like we are having a conversation and seeing how I am having a similar experience as of right now, as many others are, I can relate. I know in my student teaching last semester the students I worked with just jumped onto some app, and there was no teacher instruction. When there was teacher instruction, it was nothing less than a mess. But, maybe in your next installment you can try to do some research whether that be online or talking to teachers working in the system right now to see what resources are being used, or approaches that are being taken. A list of links to these might be useful to you and to others.
ReplyDeleteZac, this blogpost made me laugh out loud multiple times. You have a very unique writing style and your thoughts came across very clear. I never really thought we would have to be "teacher teachers" during a global pandemic, but that's unfortunately what it's looking like will happen. I would love to read more of your blogposts about your professional experiences during this difficult time!
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