The summer is wrapping up quickly. A whole new year is about to begin. I've been away from my blog for so long. Its time to get back to it. This year, I want to document the trials and tribulations of teaching technology. Last year, I taught for Tacoma Public Schools on a replacement contract. It was a crazy year. A new year is about to begin. Any advice or words of wisdom are welcome on my blog.
Before last school year closed, something called Microsoft Teals came to my attention. There was some encouragement to apply, which I did. After the interviews and selection I was very excited to begin a journey toward offering AP Computer Science to students at a diverse and economically disadvantaged high school. There were several administrative snags transferred to a school district department called "legal" and it didn't happen. There was no apology or anything offered. Sometimes, I feel as if teachers are treated as though we are subhuman. Obviously, that hurt and it was disappointing. I had spent time recruiting volunteers and had begun the process of building an alliance with the university. All my work it seemed, was pretty much in vain. All of this added additional injury and some insult when the budget came out. After being interviewed for a job, signing a contract and being elated to be on contract at the very same school - I was told it was all a no go and I'd likely be at another school altogether. At the end of the year, I packed up my sad little computer lab in the trunk of my car. I said farewell to my students and just rested. Believe it or not, time did heal me. I was actually tired.
What I wanted to learn was Java, so I signed up for the community college class. The district didn't pay for it, I did. I went with a colleague to a week long AP Computer Science training in Bellevue, Washington - which the district did pay for. We had the chance to get our feet wet. After that I began my community college course.
Lucky for me, I've found a supportive environment to learn Java. Java is a language that has not been easy to learn. At this point, I'm not even sure I will be teaching APCS - but I wanted to learn this for myself. There is a part of me that is - "ha, ha so there" I learned it without your help or support.
At some point, I applied for and was granted a job at another highschool. Actually, I'm at two different high schools. I'll teach three classes at one school and another two hour course at another. One of the courses is for students who are participating in credit retrieval. I know that the district is partnering with a corporate partner who wants to teach kids how to repair computers. I'll find out more as I conduct interviews, which begin on Monday.
As for now, I'm working on Java and doing my due diligence with regard to preparation.
Is it the calm before the storm? Yea - but I'm totally ready for the storm this time.
