My Teaching Background

My teaching career began in 1967 when I was hired by a small school district to teach six sections of math: general math grade 7 and grade 8, algebra grade 9, business math grade 10, and shop math grade 11 for one semester. The substitues that had taught these classes were "eaten alive" by the students.

That was a very interesting year and more than once I considered resigning and joining the army. But I survived and taught at that Jr. Sr. High School for two more years. I taught Earth Science and Geography for that time.

Then I took a position in another district from 1969 until June, 1986. I taught many different science classes/courses while at my new district. I taught courses in astronomy, geology, marine science, radiation biology, and agriculture.

I then left education for the business world in another state until 1992. At that time I accepted a teaching position for 8th grade science and history. I taught history for one year and then I taught only 8th grade science.

After nine years with eighth graders, I changed districts in order to teach high school students. I have just begun my ninth year at this last position and I will retire from it in either two or three years.

I have been teaching science, with a six year hiatus, for 37 years. I will havea total of about 40 years of experience when I retire from teaching.

I still enjoy teaching and I love to interact with my students. The constant challenges keep me energized and being around young people keep me feeling young myself.

I have gained many insights into the world of education and I have had many interesting things happen in my classrooms over the years. I have worked with many different administrators and teachers in a variety of school districts in two different states in different parts of the country.

I took my "rose colored glasses" off a long time ago. I will write about true events, do a little politicising, and I will point out what I see as some of the fallicies being spread around about public education today.

Stay tuned for some enjoyable as well as poignant experiences.