Memories

I have a number of things I remember about my school years: some pleasant and some not so pleasant. We all have such memories. One of the things I try to do in my classes is to give my students some good memories about their school days. I try to create a classroom atmosphere that is educational, welcoming, and influential. I believe that most days I achieve at least one of these goals.

I have taught many students for three years of their science education. They have had advanced earth science, chemistry, and physics with me while other students who are not college bound have had me for two or more years of the fundamentals of biology class (failed and then passed). One student had me for fundamentals of biology three years in a row. He failed it the first year, passed it the second year, and just wanted to have my class for a third year so took it again.

When students repeat a class with me or return after graduation on a visit, I sometimes hear things that make me feel good or things that make me smile.

For example, during my fourth year of teaching, I was lecturing a 7^th grade life science class. I sat down on my stool behind my lecture desk and it broke, sending me to the floor. The kids were shocked until I laughed it off. I had most of those same students two years later in 9^th grade earth science. The second day of class I was asked by the class whether or not I still broke stools during class. Obvious a lifetime memory!

Another student drew a giant mural on the back of my classroom depicting the United States space program. Several years after graduating he visited to see how his mural had fared. It was just fine and was there ten years later when I left Pennsylvania for Oregon.

Kids visit after graduation and talk about science demonstrations that made an impression upon them. They tend to remember little favors I have done for them. Most of all they feel the need to visit me when they come back to their “old school”.

One of the things I have been doing for the past seven years has been very rewarding on a personal basis. My wife and I have a retail mail order plant business and we sometimes buy pens to give out to customers. Back in 2005 I got the idea of giving pens to my students. I try to influence students attitudes as much as I try to achieve a measure of subject matter success. I usually purchase between 300 and 500 pens, keeping the cost under $150.00 and getting enough of the pens for two years. These totals depend upon the best prices available.

I search the web and books for a 2-3 line inspirational quote which I have printed on the pen just under my name. I hand the pens out, one per student before Thanksgiving vacation. The expression of disbelief on many of their faces is worth the price of admission. They always read the quote and sometimes I even have to explain what it means. Two things have occurred that convinced me to continue this activity. First, out of approximately 150 pens handed out, less than five are found on the floor at the end of the day, which means they have value to just about everybody. Second, I have had students up to four year later who have said they still have their "Fincham Pen(s)" in their room at home. I think that a little gesture on my part had a profound effect on some of my students.

The pens also make a good impression on parents during parent/student/teacher conferences. I have parents sign in before we conference in order to keep track of who met with me. I always lay ten or more pens on the table and give one to every parent who meets with me. It helps start the conference with a good atmosphere.

Kids remember many things from school. As a teacher I want their memories to be good ones. I have rigorous academic standards that are suited to the level of class I am teaching, but it is tempered with an obvious concern for each student under my supervision. My students remember many things about me, things I have done out of the ordinary as well academic skills that will serve them well as they go beyond high school to higher education or into the workforce.