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Where in the World is D?
Coming Up Air.
My last few posts to the blog have been .... well..... Not terribly encouraging. So I thought I would tell you something today that made me smile.
I got to TEACH!
Yeah, that's it. Nothing earth shaking or deeply thoughtful. No grand revelation or Salma Hayek proposing to me. Just teaching.
I like teaching. Sometimes, I am most at peace in the classroom. I'm sure there's some deep psychological reason, but I'm not going to over think it. I'm just going to enjoy the feeling.
Good Luck!
戴格智
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Teacher Extraordinaire! 教师非凡
Where in the World is D Today?
Trying to find a humble way to say I'm the GREATEST TEACHER EVER! :)
The Greatest Teacher Ever?! OK, that may be a little bit of a stretch, but that's how I felt when the flowers were explained to me. "Flowers?!", you say. Let me back up for those who haven't read the blog the last few days......
This past Wednesday was the 6th Grade Graduation. I am a natural High School teacher. Now, that I am teacher Elementary School, it takes learning a different thought process. (Since I'm not much more mature than 11 year old kids it wasn't too great of a leap. HA!)
I've only been teaching here for 5 months. So I never really expected to make the connections I did. Nor did I expect the kids to connect with me the way some did. I hoped for it, but honestly didn't expect it. Well,.... with some of the kids I got exactly what I wanted... to care for them and for them to care for me back.
At the end of the ceremony a couple of boys brought me some flowers. Thinking like a westerner, I figured the boys parents gave them some flowers to celebrate the graduation and then gave them to me because the are 11 year old boys and don't want to be caring flowers around they got from their mom. I asked teacher about it on Thursday when she explained to me I had it all wrong. They asked the parents to buy flowers specifically for them to give to ME! Say it with me people.. "AWESOME" A 6th grade boy would NEVER give his male teacher flowers in the U.S. I am still smiling!
So am I THE greatest teacher EVER? That is certainly up for debate. But I definitely feels like it.
On a deeper more reflective note. I wish I could share all of this with my Grand Mothers. I often think of them at moments like this. They both were SO VERY PROUD of me when I graduated, because I was a TEACHER! For those of you who appreciate history, at the time when my grandmothers were born, the early 1900's, and grew up in a very racist and segregated America, the most respected Black man was either the Pastor or the Teacher. So you see, for their grandson to become a teacher was a big deal to them, and rightfully so. I can remember one time I went to visit my Grandmother Johnson and she called her friends in the neighborhood, "My Grandson the Teacher is here to visit me!". A few minutes later her house had 4-5 of these little old ladies from my grandma's generation show up. She was so proud and so were those little old ladies. The had the same story growing up as Grandma Johnson. At times like these, I miss my Grandmothers. They were special ladies. I know that they would be especially proud of me now.
Trying to find a humble way to say I'm the GREATEST TEACHER EVER! :)
The Greatest Teacher Ever?! OK, that may be a little bit of a stretch, but that's how I felt when the flowers were explained to me. "Flowers?!", you say. Let me back up for those who haven't read the blog the last few days......
This past Wednesday was the 6th Grade Graduation. I am a natural High School teacher. Now, that I am teacher Elementary School, it takes learning a different thought process. (Since I'm not much more mature than 11 year old kids it wasn't too great of a leap. HA!)
I've only been teaching here for 5 months. So I never really expected to make the connections I did. Nor did I expect the kids to connect with me the way some did. I hoped for it, but honestly didn't expect it. Well,.... with some of the kids I got exactly what I wanted... to care for them and for them to care for me back.
At the end of the ceremony a couple of boys brought me some flowers. Thinking like a westerner, I figured the boys parents gave them some flowers to celebrate the graduation and then gave them to me because the are 11 year old boys and don't want to be caring flowers around they got from their mom. I asked teacher about it on Thursday when she explained to me I had it all wrong. They asked the parents to buy flowers specifically for them to give to ME! Say it with me people.. "AWESOME" A 6th grade boy would NEVER give his male teacher flowers in the U.S. I am still smiling!
So am I THE greatest teacher EVER? That is certainly up for debate. But I definitely feels like it.
On a deeper more reflective note. I wish I could share all of this with my Grand Mothers. I often think of them at moments like this. They both were SO VERY PROUD of me when I graduated, because I was a TEACHER! For those of you who appreciate history, at the time when my grandmothers were born, the early 1900's, and grew up in a very racist and segregated America, the most respected Black man was either the Pastor or the Teacher. So you see, for their grandson to become a teacher was a big deal to them, and rightfully so. I can remember one time I went to visit my Grandmother Johnson and she called her friends in the neighborhood, "My Grandson the Teacher is here to visit me!". A few minutes later her house had 4-5 of these little old ladies from my grandma's generation show up. She was so proud and so were those little old ladies. The had the same story growing up as Grandma Johnson. At times like these, I miss my Grandmothers. They were special ladies. I know that they would be especially proud of me now.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Do Good Because It's Good. More Adventures in Teaching.
Where in the World is D Today?
Wondering will happen to his 6th grade students.
There are few things I desire more in life than to do good. Maybe it's because I have a huge ego, though I don't think it's that. Maybe it's because finding purpose in life. I don't think it's that either. Maybe it's because I feel like an NBA player next to some of these kids. Nope! That ain't it either. It's pretty simple. I want to do good because my daddy taught me to. I love that man! And ultimately, I think every person that goes into teaching does it because they want to do good in the world. Even if they were raised by my Pop.
Is there something personally very cool and affirming when a kid finally understands whatever it was you were trying to teach them. There's this small celebration everytime that happens. But it's a terrible feeling when they don't understand what in the world you're talking about. Every teacher who reads this has experienced the extremes of joy and agony we get from our kids.
Today was the 6th grade graduation at Chungli Elementary School. Even though it's only be 5 months, I can say quite easily, "These are MY babies!" That is the connection I have with them personally, when in fact, they are the babies of their everyday classroom teacher. That is the person who has made the deepest and most important impact in their lives. I'm just the cool foreigner guy who comes in once a week. But I still think I made a positive and significant impact in their young lives.
I wonder what will happen to my babies. Their path is still set for the next 6 years. Will I ever see them again, not likely. How many future teachers are in this group? Many I hope because they have Good Hearts. And the profession needs lots of good hearts.
I love being a teacher. I love my students. And I think they like me a little bit too. A couple of the boys gave me flowers, a mark of deep appreciation. So did I do Good in their world? Yeah, I think so, maybe just a little.
Enjoy the pics from the day.
Wondering will happen to his 6th grade students.
There are few things I desire more in life than to do good. Maybe it's because I have a huge ego, though I don't think it's that. Maybe it's because finding purpose in life. I don't think it's that either. Maybe it's because I feel like an NBA player next to some of these kids. Nope! That ain't it either. It's pretty simple. I want to do good because my daddy taught me to. I love that man! And ultimately, I think every person that goes into teaching does it because they want to do good in the world. Even if they were raised by my Pop.
Is there something personally very cool and affirming when a kid finally understands whatever it was you were trying to teach them. There's this small celebration everytime that happens. But it's a terrible feeling when they don't understand what in the world you're talking about. Every teacher who reads this has experienced the extremes of joy and agony we get from our kids.
Today was the 6th grade graduation at Chungli Elementary School. Even though it's only be 5 months, I can say quite easily, "These are MY babies!" That is the connection I have with them personally, when in fact, they are the babies of their everyday classroom teacher. That is the person who has made the deepest and most important impact in their lives. I'm just the cool foreigner guy who comes in once a week. But I still think I made a positive and significant impact in their young lives.
I wonder what will happen to my babies. Their path is still set for the next 6 years. Will I ever see them again, not likely. How many future teachers are in this group? Many I hope because they have Good Hearts. And the profession needs lots of good hearts.
I love being a teacher. I love my students. And I think they like me a little bit too. A couple of the boys gave me flowers, a mark of deep appreciation. So did I do Good in their world? Yeah, I think so, maybe just a little.
Enjoy the pics from the day.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Just Pics!
Where in the World is D?
Dragon Boat Festival, Class 6-1 Graduation Dinner, Confucius Temple/Tainan, My Classrooms with High School Students and Playing Basketball with Church Friends.
Of Course there are stories! But just pics is cool too, Right?! Stories to come.
Dragon Boat Festival, Class 6-1 Graduation Dinner, Confucius Temple/Tainan, My Classrooms with High School Students and Playing Basketball with Church Friends.
Of Course there are stories! But just pics is cool too, Right?! Stories to come.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Re-thinking Taipei 101 and Teaching
Where in the World is D Today?
Re-thinking and revising a few things.
I have gone on the record on this blog and other places as saying, (The things I know, I am completely confident of. The things I don't know, I am totally neurotic. I know teaching. I am 99.9% completely confident when I go to teach a lesson. Women... hmmm.... well, put that in the neurotic category.)
Today I went in to teach what I thought was a pretty good lesson with kids I was confident would do well. While I think it was a good lesson in theory, me believing we could build from the two previous weeks. I felt like I was at the base of Mt.Vesuvius (look it up if you don't know the history) during the lesson. Translation: the lesson was AWFUL!!
After crawling out of the ash, I bounced some ideas of Will, my friend and mentor. Will would not actually say this, but his response was some akin to, "that's dumb". So going back to the drawing board a third time, I came up completely re-vamped lesson for my second class. (All in about 40 minutes time!) And you know what?! I was a lot better the second time around. There is still one adjustment to be made but I felt so much better.
I admit I am a recovering perfectionist. I know things can't always be perfect. But dang it, anything worth doing is worth doing well! My students had no idea what I had gone through with the previous class and whole exploding volcano thing, but did they get a better lesson. Frankly, yes. And I was happier too!
NOW, about Taipei 101. I would now like to retract my preious statement of "I thought it would be taller" and basically dismissing the excitement over it. Last weekend I was on my way north to see some really cool stuff north of Taipei. So as we're driving by I look out the window and OMG!, there is Taipei 101! From a distance, with other "tall" buildings in the picture, 101 is GIGANTIC. And yes, if I were a freakishly large gorilla I would want to climb it.
So people, sometimes we have to back and see things from a different perspective. And be gracious enough to say, "Hey, it seemed like a good idea at the time, but gosh, I was wrong."
In the end, Everybody wins.
Re-thinking and revising a few things.
I have gone on the record on this blog and other places as saying, (The things I know, I am completely confident of. The things I don't know, I am totally neurotic. I know teaching. I am 99.9% completely confident when I go to teach a lesson. Women... hmmm.... well, put that in the neurotic category.)
Today I went in to teach what I thought was a pretty good lesson with kids I was confident would do well. While I think it was a good lesson in theory, me believing we could build from the two previous weeks. I felt like I was at the base of Mt.Vesuvius (look it up if you don't know the history) during the lesson. Translation: the lesson was AWFUL!!
After crawling out of the ash, I bounced some ideas of Will, my friend and mentor. Will would not actually say this, but his response was some akin to, "that's dumb". So going back to the drawing board a third time, I came up completely re-vamped lesson for my second class. (All in about 40 minutes time!) And you know what?! I was a lot better the second time around. There is still one adjustment to be made but I felt so much better.
I admit I am a recovering perfectionist. I know things can't always be perfect. But dang it, anything worth doing is worth doing well! My students had no idea what I had gone through with the previous class and whole exploding volcano thing, but did they get a better lesson. Frankly, yes. And I was happier too!
NOW, about Taipei 101. I would now like to retract my preious statement of "I thought it would be taller" and basically dismissing the excitement over it. Last weekend I was on my way north to see some really cool stuff north of Taipei. So as we're driving by I look out the window and OMG!, there is Taipei 101! From a distance, with other "tall" buildings in the picture, 101 is GIGANTIC. And yes, if I were a freakishly large gorilla I would want to climb it.
So people, sometimes we have to back and see things from a different perspective. And be gracious enough to say, "Hey, it seemed like a good idea at the time, but gosh, I was wrong."
In the end, Everybody wins.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Where In the World is D Today?
Contemplating how big this Really IS.
Who of us can remember all the little stuff when we were in the 5th or 6th grade? I remember virtually nothing specific from my 5th grade year. In the 6th grade I remember being in the hospital, a lot. I remember learning about space and rockets while in the hospital and at home recooperating. I remember Harold. A kid in my 6th grade class that looked after me when I returned to school; Harold would play with me during recess when I couldn’t run and jump with the other kids. And I can remember how upset he got when another kid punched me in the stomach. I thought Harold was gonna kill that kid. I can remember being on Safety Patrol and the sense of importance I felt through it. I can remember talking myself out of a fight on the playground after school and thinking, “Hmmm maybe being smarter than the other guy can work to my advantage.” My point here is routines and events. We remember routines such as being in my spot everyday for safety patrol and events such as having surgery.
I was thinking again about my “oddness” on my walk to work today. When it struck me that my being so different can and should be such a wonderful thing for these kids. I don't know what lies in their future, but I hope I become one of those remember when stories. You know the type..... "Remember when we were in fifth grade and went to the English Village and we had the Black teacher? I couldn't understand a word he said, but he was really cool."
I often don't know what's "meant to be" and what's just happenstance. This I do know, I want my teaching to always be meaningful. Last week some kids from some of the county schools were calling me Obama. The kids at my school where fussing at them. It was all in Chinese so I don't know exactly what was said, but I had the sense that it something along the line of, "He is OUR teacher and you will not disrespect him!" That felt good. This coming week I start teaching my 6th grade English class and I was speaking with Will, on of my fellow English teachers and got his thoughts about using that natural curiosity about President Obama and Black people. Now, I have to realize that they are learning English and are young, But I can feel in my gut some very teachable moments in my future. Will agreed.
So wish me luck as I search for the very delicate balance in teaching. Remember the goal here is about getting them to speak English. And if my differentness is the gateway to speaking, then bully for them. Everybody wins! They get better speaking skills and I get to engage them in a way that I am intimately familiar with.
Man I Love being a teacher!
Contemplating how big this Really IS.
Who of us can remember all the little stuff when we were in the 5th or 6th grade? I remember virtually nothing specific from my 5th grade year. In the 6th grade I remember being in the hospital, a lot. I remember learning about space and rockets while in the hospital and at home recooperating. I remember Harold. A kid in my 6th grade class that looked after me when I returned to school; Harold would play with me during recess when I couldn’t run and jump with the other kids. And I can remember how upset he got when another kid punched me in the stomach. I thought Harold was gonna kill that kid. I can remember being on Safety Patrol and the sense of importance I felt through it. I can remember talking myself out of a fight on the playground after school and thinking, “Hmmm maybe being smarter than the other guy can work to my advantage.” My point here is routines and events. We remember routines such as being in my spot everyday for safety patrol and events such as having surgery.
I was thinking again about my “oddness” on my walk to work today. When it struck me that my being so different can and should be such a wonderful thing for these kids. I don't know what lies in their future, but I hope I become one of those remember when stories. You know the type..... "Remember when we were in fifth grade and went to the English Village and we had the Black teacher? I couldn't understand a word he said, but he was really cool."
I often don't know what's "meant to be" and what's just happenstance. This I do know, I want my teaching to always be meaningful. Last week some kids from some of the county schools were calling me Obama. The kids at my school where fussing at them. It was all in Chinese so I don't know exactly what was said, but I had the sense that it something along the line of, "He is OUR teacher and you will not disrespect him!" That felt good. This coming week I start teaching my 6th grade English class and I was speaking with Will, on of my fellow English teachers and got his thoughts about using that natural curiosity about President Obama and Black people. Now, I have to realize that they are learning English and are young, But I can feel in my gut some very teachable moments in my future. Will agreed.
So wish me luck as I search for the very delicate balance in teaching. Remember the goal here is about getting them to speak English. And if my differentness is the gateway to speaking, then bully for them. Everybody wins! They get better speaking skills and I get to engage them in a way that I am intimately familiar with.
Man I Love being a teacher!
Monday, February 23, 2009
First Day as Teacher Darryl
02.23.2009 10:20PM
Where in the World is D Today?
Loving the phrase "Thank You Teacher"!
It is getting late. I'm about to loose power in my computer, but just wanted to say I smiled from ear to ear today when students made a point to say Thank you. They weren't told to do it because not every kid did. But just that simple gesture from these 5th grade students just warmed my heart so. I can't remember the last time a student said thank you at the end of a normal class. I didn't do an extra favor or extend myself in anyway special for them. They just liked and wanted what I had. Say it with me "AWESOME!"
Where in the World is D Today?
Loving the phrase "Thank You Teacher"!
It is getting late. I'm about to loose power in my computer, but just wanted to say I smiled from ear to ear today when students made a point to say Thank you. They weren't told to do it because not every kid did. But just that simple gesture from these 5th grade students just warmed my heart so. I can't remember the last time a student said thank you at the end of a normal class. I didn't do an extra favor or extend myself in anyway special for them. They just liked and wanted what I had. Say it with me "AWESOME!"
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