Work Ethic

My focus is the quote: "Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it."

I'm a firm believer in HARD WORK...work hard and it will pay off! I worked while I was in high school, I got good grades to earn a scholarship to college, I got good grades in college to get a scholarship to grad school and finally graduated to get a job as a teacher. I work hard as a teacher...and expect my students to work hard to get good grades.

So I really have a difficult time understanding the "logic" of students when they don't do assignments, don't study for tests, don't take notes, don't pay attention...but can tell you how long they played the latest video game..and the tool they used to pass to the next level of the game.

I should have some adults I know over 60 come in and talk to my students about all the jobs they have had in the past...and the HARD WORK it took to get where they are today. I think about my own father and how he worked 6 days a week...9-10 hours a day...He was a pharmacist for Hy-Vee...and even got calls after he was home...he had to go back to the store and fill a "script".

I am proud to have inherited some of his work ethic...and only hope to pass it on to my own kids...I want them to know...."Life isn't easy"..."Roll with the punches"..."Work hard to achieve your dreams"...

As far as my students...I hope to be a positive role model...and hope they too will one day be able to achieve their dreams also!

Passion in Teaching

I read an article about girls being affected by their female teacher's anxiety of mathematics. I believe this anxiety could happen to any student based on a teacher's anxiety to teach a subject. For example, I am qualified to teach 7-12 mathematics. However, if I was asked to teach Geometry...which is my least favorite of the math classes....I mean my LEAST favorite...I know my students would suffer. I could teach it....would teach it (perhaps)...but would not enjoy it...so I believe this lack of enthusiasm would be sensed by my students....causing a disservice to them.

I am very passionate about junior high mathematics. I believe I can get these students engaged in learning mathematics...and know the steps necessary for higher level math. I had 7th and 8th grade math students for many years...I "lost" my 7th graders due to a schedule change. I gained a few high school classes...which is fine...however, I secretly wish to once again have the 7th and 8th graders as I love to see their growth!