Posted by Racer on August 28, 2005, at 12:37:40
In reply to Big Pink Lives, posted by shar on August 27, 2005, at 15:07:10
While I know that this won't help until after the fact, I'm gonna second that guy -- when you get the call to teach advanced bio, head on over. Guess what? You'll do fine. I really hope your first half dozen calls are easier than that, so that you can learn that you really and truly can do it. The kids in those classes will respond to having you there, and they'll all have a pretty good idea of what's been going on in class. What's more, there's certain to be something there to help you figure out what's next on the agenda -- and it's much easier to fake it than you imagine.
Listen, HoneyBunny, for a while, I had a student whose parents were taking lessons from me. He was developmentally disabled -- and he didn't speak English! Sure, it's not calculus, but you know what? We did just fine. In fact, when he went home again, his stepmother told me that I was wonderful with him, despite the language barrier -- she said it was my attitude towards him, my encouragement (the one phrase I managed consistently: "SEHR gut!!"), and the smile on my face and in my voice. If I could do that -- especially the part about speaking German out loud in front of people who weren't family -- you can certainly do this.
For what it's worth, Sweet Shar, one of the teachers I remember most fondly from my own life was a substitute who came pretty regularly when I was in 4th through 6th grades.
I'm rather glowing for you, Shar. That you're doing this is inspiring me. And now that you've suggested it, I'm gonna take a paper bag to every interview I ever go on from now on!
poster:Racer
thread:541405
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/2000/20050828/msgs/547613.html