got a great compliment from a student today

[ulysses]

I don't know that she meant it as a compliment per se, but one of my youngest kids told me today that she wanted to be a math teacher when she grew up.

Bet she'd be good at it too - smart as a whip. B-)

[Caution]

1. definitely a compliment

anytime a student tells you they want to follow in your profession that is most definitely a compliment. Why direct it to you when she could have directed it to any of her teachers?

[ulysses]

4. well, she does dig math

and I suspect that that's more natural inclination and ability than it is my pedagogical brilliance ( ;-) ), but I'll take what I can get.

[SOteric]

2. OhYeah.

That's a compliment. :hi:

[ulysses]

5. yup

got her an A+ for the quarter right there...

;-)

:hi:

[GOPFighter]

We need more good ones

The best teacher I EVER had was Mr. Busse, my Geometry teacher in high school. He loved math, he respected kids, and he loved to teach. I've loved math ever since. It's amazing how much impact a good teacher can have on sooo many future adults.

[ulysses]

8. it's hard to remember sometimes

how hard math is for a lot of kids, even though I vividly remember how it kicked my ass at various times. I've never considered myself any less patient than the average Joe, but it's really been trying lately. Until you get that first "aha!" moment from a kid, you can't know what a relief it is. I've got an autistic girl in one of my classes, and when we had a breakthrough a couple of weeks ago in helping her to find her way to adding 5+7, I had to leave the room for a few seconds.

[papau]

3. That is nice - makes up for all the times one thinks to one self "why"

But then I was only "teaching" for one year so what do I know! I just had a hard time accepting that my great wise words and well chosen examples and pace of lecture had not yet got the student to "aha" and understanding.

A student that admires an intelligent teacher can't be all bad!

:-)

[ulysses]

9. heh

But then I was only "teaching" for one year so what do I know!

Hell of a lot more than a lot of folks who think *they* know what teaching is like. :)

[leftofthedial]

6. that must make you feel like a million bucks!

congrats!

[ulysses]

10. yup

Made the rest of the day, when I had to be the disciplinary nazi, a little better.

[VOX]

7. You bet it's a compliment!

The teacher leads, and, with a bit of luck, the pupil follows. But when the student becomes inspired, there's a more profound transaction occuring.

The bolts of inspiration I received as a young'un were always sparked by the efforts of an outstanding teacher.

Good going, ulysses. :toast:

[ulysses]

11. thanks

:)