Category: Two cents

For each school day of the 2020-21 school year, I will be writing two sentences to capture some of the impressions, feelings, experiences, or thoughts I had that day. This is the 11th post in the series.

Monday (Nov 30)
I felt unexpectedly relaxed all day; I found myself speaking slower than normal — I was more controlled, more calculated. Referencing James Baldwin and Begin Again at the RSJ meeting after school felt vindicating and hopeful.

Tuesday (Dec 1)
I shaved my head in 5th period. That was random and fun.

Wednesday (Dec 2)
Shaving my head while teaching has officially become a routine for my 5th period class. It was democratic, we voted.

Thursday (Dec 3)
My collection of virtual handshakes (call and response) is growing and it’s getting fun. I now have eight — and counting.

Friday (Dec 4)
Worked all day in an empty classroom. Added a new member of my cogen and discussed a way of increasing engagement in breakouts.


bp

For each school day of the 2020-21 school year, I will be writing two sentences to capture some of the impressions, feelings, experiences, or thoughts I had that day. This is the tenth post in the series.

Monday (November 23, 2020)
I think racial and social justice may be slowly becoming a priority at my school. It appears as if our institutional priorities may be changing to help us dismantle white supremacy culture, but there’s still a long way to go.

Tuesday (November 24, 2020)
Another roller coaster. I barely taught in eighth period today before realizing that they needed a mental health day; I wish I had the answers they needed.

Wednesday (November 25, 2020)
I played math pictionary today. It was fun, interesting, and useful to see how students think about and represent the various concepts we’ve learned through informal sketches.

Thursday (November 25, 2020)
No classes — Thanksgiving Recess

Friday (November 25, 2020)
No classes — Thanksgiving Recess

bp

For each school day of the 2020-21 school year, I will be writing two sentences to capture some of the impressions, feelings, experiences, or thoughts I had that day. This is the ninth post in the series.

Monday (Nov 16)
An impromptu change of plans found me teaching from my bedroom again today — something I never expected when I started my day. Ironically, my lessons were nothing like I expected; somehow all of my kids ended up on Whiteboard.fi showing their work to some trig problems.

Tuesday (Nov 17)
I feel guilty that I’m hoarding my time and wishing that I didn’t have to attend so many meetings. I officially sent away from students’ first mathematical penpal letters; I never thought I was going to pull that off.

Wednesday (Nov 18)
I somberly learned today that, because the city’s 7-day infection rate rose above 3%, the schools were closing. I get why, but I can’t deny how disheartening and demoralizing it is to be ripped from the comforting walls of my classroom yet again — even when there are no students present.

Thursday (Nov 19)
Apple…Airpods! It was a long over due, but today all of the Tokens of Appreciation were passed for the first time this year (happening via mail).

Friday (Nov 20)
Remembering that I couldn’t go into the building, I woke up feeling distant and empty. Did I say how much I hate remote learning?



bp

For each school day of the 2020-21 school year, I will be writing two sentences to capture some of the impressions, feelings, experiences, or thoughts I had that day. This is the eighth post in the series.

Monday
I found myself unnecessarily frustrated with first period today; I need to chill. The beautiful weather enticed me to teach three of my classes from a bench near my apartment building; having leaves fall on my face as we discussed the unit circle was refreshing, but wiping bird poop off my keyboard was not.

Tuesday
After a student said “Happy 50th Birthday” to me, I ran into his room (which was across the hall) to give him a playful piece of my mind; you deserved it A! Ninth period absolutely made my day when they sang happy birthday to me.

Wednesday
No classes — Veteran’s Day

Thursday
Stumbled over introducing mathematical penpals today; I’m excited, but also secretly worried about how it plays out this year — thank you Sarah. On day 1 of virtual parent-teacher conferences, I found myself daydreaming of those from the past.

Friday
Tired today, but so excited to have prepped and finalized my students’ first letters with their math penpals from upstate Michigan. I watched a webinar from CUNY’s Urban Education Phd program (here and here); maybe someday.

bp