There is much about the teaching profession that is satisfying, but perhaps nothing more so than feeling the buzz of a classroom full of students who are leaning into the subject with enthusiasm and an unslakable thirst for understanding. I’m happy to report that my Conceptual Physics class is alive with that sort of buzz right now.
Last semester was about learning the vocabulary of physics, understanding how to use mathematics to support inquiry, and how to talk and think carefully about the world around us. It was as if the students had to master an entirely new language to talk about an entirely new way of thinking about the world that they had no idea existed. Not an easy set of tasks, I can assure you.
This semester, we are now beginning to use these hard-won skills to explore the world around us. We started out with an in-depth look at our personal energy footprint, which spawned many interesting discussions about energy policy and climate change. Now we are looking at the nature of matter, and exploring the mysterious and wonderful quantum world.
To illustrate how committed and engaged the students are, let me tell you a little story. Most teachers will tell you that correcting homework is not their favorite part of the job. I’m no exception, so when I sat down to correct the last round of Physics homework papers, I was not looking forward to it.
Red pen in hand, I began looking through lists of questions that each student had generated while reading about quantum theory. I started to answer some of the questions and worked my way through each student’s homework. When I finished, I glanced at the clock and realized that I’d just spent several very pleasant hours in the company of excited young minds grappling with understanding the fundamental building blocks of our universe. Each paper was thoughtfully completed, and I felt like each and every student was working to demonstrate how much they were interested in the material.
What is remarkable is that every student put in a great deal of effort to get as much out of the assignment as they could. Often I will get some good papers in a class, but rarely does the entire class rise up to turn in fine work on a homework assignment. Let me tell you, I feel fortunate indeed to be surrounded by so many hungry and engaged minds, and humbled to know that it is my task to guide them along the path towards understanding.
This is really what Watershed is all about, committed learners hunched around a table, burning to understand. I count myself lucky to be part of it.
Very cool…I am excited for the learning and the overseer! Thanks, this always makes me feel that all the last 9 years has had a great impact on so many and though I am not as active as I was before, I find great joy in these notes of the highlights of the teachers day. Thanks again. Go WS! bg
This was equally inspiring and refreshing to read! Well done students and teacher.
“A teacher’s perspective” brought to mind the following in my life: The early years in our household involved choices for homeschooling. I had not planned to do this. I just knew that when Nathan was toddling around, exploring the world with the tireless enthusiasm, I was interested in this whole journey of his and had NO desire to run off to “mommy and me” classes (very popular at the time). Nor was I interested in dumping him into nursery or pre-school as soon as they would take him. I was having fun. I especially delighted in the development of language and how he would ‘de-code’ and interpret the world around him. It was somewhat selfish that I did not want to have him out of my life during the day because I would miss out on too much! I thought I would just wait until 1st grade before he started formal school.
In the time before first grade would arrive, homeschooling came into my radar and we opted for it, assessing each year, how this was working for our family.
What was always in the forefront of my mind in our decision making, was that in NO way did I want him in any situation that would ‘beat the desire to learn’ out of him. It has been my opinion for a long time, that standard public school settings, by their very nature, have a tendency to do this.
Watershed school has been a good choice for our family because it is not only okay, but encouraged that students get excited about exploring and learning about the world around them.
This is a freedom that I value beyond all others. Held, cherished and nurtured, it will allow the students to move about for the rest of their lives, with tools to take them wherever they want to go.
Cheers to all of you students. Keep diving in with your great enthusiasm! You all brighten the world. Be personally powerful and use your power well.
And Pete, thank you for sharing this small piece of the bigger day to day life at Watershed. As well, for your OWN enthusiasm in the classroom. Joyce