Since I am to be the blogger for May it seems best that I should tell a little of my background. Those who know me will usually identify me by several methods 1) Spiky hair (which I must admit does not come naturally), 2) Skinny (Students have been known to call me "Mr. Bones" as well as saying I am anorexia, and the humor prevented me from telling them that "anorexia" is a noun not an adjective), but those who know me best will say, "Oh, the Birdman, he makes awesome bird noises." I'm not sure of the exact time and place my fetish for birds began, perhaps when I did that Alliteration Book in 5th grade and mine was on birds, nor when this fettish became a passion.
I entered UNC-Chapel Hill, the school which you will undoubtly love or hate, but have some opinion of, with the intention of becoming an ornithologist (professional bird brain). I loved science and soon found that I equally loved teaching others about it. During my Senior year at the last possible moment I decided teaching might be the thing for me to do. I had thought of becoming a professor, but somewhere along the way giving to the student became more important to me than than giving to the scientific community.
Within these students in this my first year, I have found a resource that I am quite familiar with-passion. Many of you may be laughing, because like my students, some of your students have a demeanor and face that is anything but passionate, and you fear that one day you will come in and it will have become so stagnant that it is growing pond scum. However, beneath that surface there is a passion, though suppressed by 90 minutes classes, television, and too much texting, it is present. When it bubbles to the surface it usually takes the form of "Can it really...", "I heard that..", or "What if..." WARNING: Do not burst this bubble too soon, this is engagement, this is what we want, though I admit sometimes the What-ifs can become a little extreme, but please take care. I encourage you, enlarge this passion, guide this passion, it make be the solution to our educational energy needs.
I entered UNC-Chapel Hill, the school which you will undoubtly love or hate, but have some opinion of, with the intention of becoming an ornithologist (professional bird brain). I loved science and soon found that I equally loved teaching others about it. During my Senior year at the last possible moment I decided teaching might be the thing for me to do. I had thought of becoming a professor, but somewhere along the way giving to the student became more important to me than than giving to the scientific community.
Within these students in this my first year, I have found a resource that I am quite familiar with-passion. Many of you may be laughing, because like my students, some of your students have a demeanor and face that is anything but passionate, and you fear that one day you will come in and it will have become so stagnant that it is growing pond scum. However, beneath that surface there is a passion, though suppressed by 90 minutes classes, television, and too much texting, it is present. When it bubbles to the surface it usually takes the form of "Can it really...", "I heard that..", or "What if..." WARNING: Do not burst this bubble too soon, this is engagement, this is what we want, though I admit sometimes the What-ifs can become a little extreme, but please take care. I encourage you, enlarge this passion, guide this passion, it make be the solution to our educational energy needs.
Adam Byerly, May Blogger
1 comment:
It is interesting that you have learned so much so quickly about students and how to interact with them. Continue to work on strengthening your positive relationships with your students.
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