Teach

Teach constantly had me simultaneously reflecting on myself as a high school student and as an educator. I consistently saw myself in the students and the teachers and the entire film gave way to a considerably introspective process. Most profound were the experiences with the math class that tested the pilot program of 360 degree math and the AP world history course, both of which seemed to be manifestations of my own high school experience.

Math was always something I struggled with in high school, there always seemed to be some disconnect. Usually as we began a new topic things went pretty well, the material seemed fairly straight-forward and I was able to put all the pieces together, though as soon as we moved beyond the opening stages I would always fall behind again. I feel as though the 360 degree math would have been the perfect environment for me to learn effectively. I was always uncomfortable with asking for help, most things came easily to me so I was unfamiliar with reaching out and as a result I fell behind. If my instructors could have seen my process and observed where the material was failing to fall together I am certain I would have been so much more successful at math than I was. I sincerely hope that kind of project is one I can bring to any schools I work at later that may have a struggling math class, as I am certain it will be an indispensable resource.

Joel’s AP World History course was also highly evocative of my own high school experience in an AP world history course, though this class was somewhat different. It was absolutely the most student centered class I had ever taken, and while the AP test was certainly discussed and passing it a goal of the course I never felt as though the class became commandeered by the test. We largely looked at primary sources and analytical texts that would complement whatever reading was assigned. During class our instructor usually did not do much else than ask probing questions and keep us on track. Mostly we all talked with each other about the reading all class, or something that happened in the news. There were only about seven or eight students in the class, and when the day of the AP test arrived only about four of us showed up to the testing room. The same day the senior class all went to Funtown in Saco, so only a few intrepid historians stayed behind to take the test, it was also my birthday. While I was only a little bit bitter about not getting to ride roller-coasters all day on my birthday (I certainly don’t bring it up often, after all what fresh eighteen-year old wouldn't want to take a test for four hours?), I managed to tough it out and only complained about it a little (read as: a lot) to everyone I saw that day. Though in the end I am glad that I made the choice I did since it saved me a few hundred dollars in the end since it was one less class I needed to take.