What a Day

The Last Day of Classes for "ER-46" (that is an abbreviation for "the 46th trimester of Eagle Rock School). Next week is when students give their Presentations of Learning (that is the long way of saying "POL"), so no more lesson planning or classes for this trimester.

Babies were born, families became naturalized citizens, and marriage proposals were made. At that was all before lunch!

My classes ended fairly successfully, in that more than half of the students will be receiving credit for the courses (we have an all-or-nothing system here). The best thing I have realized as I look back on the first 3 months here is that it has taken very little time to get assimilated into the school culture, and I love working with all the students at the school. I came in really wanting to learn how to be a teacher, to the point that I was a little disappointed at the degree to which we were expected to focus more on our role as all-around mentors. But it recent weeks, that has subsided. I value my role as a mentor, and am excited that I also get to teach a few courses each trimester.

Next trimester, I am going to focus on developing a curriculum that focuses more on depth, rather than breadth. In this way, I can focus more on how we gain an understanding of a subject, instead of just trying to make sure that I cover a number of topics within that subject. I will be co-teaching an astronomy class - Star Search, an ecology/telemark skiiing class - From Deserts to Mountains, a chemistry class - Cooking with Chemistry, and a science/societies & cultures class on Environmental Racism.

Now I am sitting on the pillows in the hearth of the Lodge (the main community gathering space and cafeteria), anxiously awaiting the original production of "Hamlet in the Hood." Can't wait!