FREAKING OUT!! In regards to job interview from yesterday!!!!!!!!!!

[jab105]

Ok...well, I went on the job interview...it was for remedial math...it was an ok interview I guess...anyways, he said he'd call me by Friday with a decision...

Instead, he called me back two hours later, and offered me a job teaching honors (instead of remedial) earth and space science...

Sounds good so far, right?

BUT, I have NO (as in none) experience in earth and space science...I have tons of science experience (chem bachelors and engineering masters degrees)...but nothing in earth and space science...in fact, I tried to teach general science, but needed earth and space to do it...

I'm supposed to go in tomorrow to shadow the teacher who is leaving...what should I do?

I'm a quick study, and there is a test that you can take to get the certification...but I really don't know it now...

am confused and conflicted...I think the smart thing is to jump at the chance to teach honors...but, I dont know the material...

any suggestions are appreciated...

PS-Thanks for the interview suggestions from yesterday...apparently they worked:)

[GOPisEvil]

1. Yikes! It's HARD teaching something you aren't familiar with.

I wonder if the departing teacher can leave materials behind for you to prep on. I bet you could pull it off, but don't try to BS the kids. They'll see through it. As with most people, telling them you don't know and will research the question is better.

This will require you to prepare in advance of presenting the material, but it can be done. I think it's a great opportunity.

Oh yeah, CONGRATULATIONS! :toast:

[Robb]

2. Take the job

...Be up front about what you know, what you don't know, and what you can get certified for -- but take the job. I strongly suspect you were hired for you. And they know what you are capable of, what you can learn.

I think congratulations are in order!

[judge_smales]

6. I'd go w/ this answer:

...Be up front about what you know, what you don't know, and what you can get certified for -- but take the job.

Make SURE the principal KNOWS that you're "light" in these subjects up front so expectations are correctly set. Then cram, cram, cram.

[jab105]

16. Thanks Robb...

that helps...I'm going in tomorrow morning, so I'll shadow the teacher durign the day and tell him what I know and what I dont know...

The vice-principal was very nice, he couldn't talk to the people at the county office, they were away, so he said that he was going to "take a leap" and just go for it and hire me:)

For getting my masters, I had to take a qualifying exam and literally memorize a 1000 page book all about engineering, and I was able to do that in a month...I think if I work hard at it, I can do it...

[MissMarple]

3. You'll know more tomorrow and after talking with the other teacher.

Sheesh! I knew we were short on science teachers, but this is sad. And the bottom line is if you think you can do a credible job.

Good luck.

[jab105]

10. I think they might have wanted me particularly in science...

because my mom runs the science fair for a big county in Florida...and I think some of the science teachers know her:)

I have had so much science in my life...at this point, I'm not sure what kind of job I could do...probably will know more tomorrow!

[papau]

4. Go for it - the kids will be on your side!

But do a lot of prep!

:-)

[commander bunnypants]

5. Just remember

the universe revolves around the earth.

Seriously, go for it, be honest with the kids, and read read read.


DDQM

[areschild]

31. But I thought..

The Universe revolved around *. Gotta stop listening to those FReeper CReepers.

[underpants]

7. Remember this phrase-"Well what do YOU think the answer is?"

You'll pick it up and if you don't fake it, seems to work these days at all levels.

[Sequoia]

8. Go for it.

Hey, Arnie's going to be the Gov of California and you think he has experience?!!! Ha! Go get some books and do a crash course. You must have something they like or otherwise you wouldn't have been called. I've had teachers who knew squat about what they were teaching and just ambled along. Rent a bunch of Discovery and Nova tapes on the subject but don't tell your class you don't know about it or they'll play you for a song. I have faith in you, you've just got new job jitters.

[bobja]

9. You can do it

if it's what you want, that is. Just keep ahead of the class and don't let on it's not you specific area of expertise. It can't hurt to at least shadow the teacher and see what it's like. Good luck to you!

[Loonman]

11. Go for it, dude

Learn fast.

Or cool oyur heels until something else, or lesser comes around. Or not.


You got to strike when the iron is hot, and all that.

[Cha]

15. And Dudette!

"THe Dude Abides"!

[Loonman]

27. He does

The dudette as well.

[On the Road]

12. This is High School Level, Right?

Honors is a lot easier than remedial, and probably a lot more enjoyable. In a way, the pressure's off teaching an unfamiliar subject.

Earth and space science is very cool. There are tons of new discoveries not covered by textbooks. (Eg, Scientific American has a special issue on the planets that is fascinating and has some groundbreaking stuff.) You can spend probably a third of the class getting students to discover their own material and presenting it to the rest of the class, which is good experience for them and takes the load off you.

The chem background is probably more relevant than you give it credit for. You are more knowledgable about things like the carbon cycle or the ozone layer. The knowledge of subatomic particles needed for chemistry ties right into cosmology -- composition of comets, stellar life cycles, etc.

If you can get the students interested in the material, I'm sure you'll succeed and enjoy it.

On edit: CONGRATULATIONS! :party: :toast: :party:

[jab105]

19. Thats what makes me want to take it so badly...

I'd much rather teach honors, its one of the best schools in the entire county...and I get Scientific American:)

[JHB]

13. As a former ESS major...

Let's see: mostly geology & physics.

Google "Earth & space science" to pull up a large number of sites at all levels of complexity: you'll find something which will help.

Where are you located? Anywhere nearby you can take some college-level courses?

[jab105]

20. Don't know much geology, but I'm decent in physics...

I'm right in the University of FLorida...I could easily sit in on courses....

[JHB]

25. For the job, be up front...

...about what you do and don't know.

To investigate what you have nearby to improve your understanding of the subject, talk to the folks at the University:
http://www.astro.ufl.edu/
(main Astronomy Office at [phone], Ext. 201 during regular UF business hours)
about what might be useful to you.

[Ganja Ninja]

14. What would Bush do if he had a job he couldn’t handle?

Ok so not a good analogy. Fake it. Who says the teacher before you knew anymore than you. Swipe his/her lesson plan and go for it. If all else fails show a film.

[jab105]

18. I wouldn't want to do THAT to the kids!!

:)

[MaryBear]

17. Do go for it!

And do be honest with the kids. They come with built in bullshit meters. It can be a chance to teach critical thinking, and how to know if a source might be valid.

[cally]

21. Go for it!

My Mom taught Math and Science for years. I remember several years that she just tried to stay two to three chapters ahead of the students.

If you take the job there are some fantastic websites for students and teachers on these subjects. Have fun.

[donotpassgo]

22. You know more than the kids...

so you'll be fine. Always stay outside your comfort zone. That's how you grow.

[thom1102]

23. It's Honors...

You can pawn off the shit you don't know as research projects for the students.

"That is an excellent question, Susie. How DO we know the light from the center of the universe 3 billion years old? Why don't you research that tonight when you get home and tell us all about what you find out, tomorrow? Any other questions?... Good!"

:evilgrin:

Take it! If you can get one week ahead and stay there, you will be fine!

[DBoon]

24. Find a local college with an earth science department

Give them a call, explain the situation, and see if one of their professors will chat with you.

Maybe even get him as a guest speaker.


Could point out local resources (field trips, etc.), suggest other things

FYI, IANAT - so if this doesn't make sense ignore it.

[jab105]

26. thats a good idea...

thanks!

[fob]

28. Go for it!

The easiest way to learn something is to teach others. You have chem and engineering degrees and the disire to teach, the subject will take care of itself. Start the first week by having the students "teach" you what they know, by the second week you'll be off and running, especially with an Honors class. They'll jump at the chance to show you their prowess.

I wish you success!!

[Divernan]

29. Teaching students research skills with a focus on ESS would be great

Don't know how much teaching training or experience you have, but you need to put together a syllabus with reading assignments, and a breakdown of how grades are determined - like 1/3 mid term, 1/3 final exam, 1/3 research & class presentation of individual topic. Tell them on what date the research topics will be assigned. Plan a couple of classes introducing them to research sources for ESS. When I taught product liability, I let the students pick a product, requiring that it be something that came with some printed disclaimers/warnings. I had to approve the product choice, and then they had to create a fact pattern, a lawsuit, governing law and application of same by both plaintiff and defendant. They got very creative and it was a great learning device for integrating law and procedure. Next I taught International Product Liability to about 15 students. I selected 15 countries from around the globe, gave them one fact pattern for the same product and type of accident, and had them write a paper and describe possible outcomes under different judicial systems. They also did a 20 minute presentation of their paper to the class and we all learned a lot of international law and what international manufacturers had to consider in global marketing. What I always loved about teaching was that I learned so much as a teacher.
As Dr. Seuss (or Al Franken) would say, Oh, the classroom adventures you'll have!

[radwriter0555]

30. DO IT! how COOL! You and the kids get to learn together! what a FANTASTIC

opportunity.

GO FOR IT!

[hunter]

32. Honors science will be easier for you than remedial math...

That's one smart administrator. For a remedial math teacher I'd be looking for an experienced and patient teacher who might know a little algebra, but more importantly has a will of steel and a heart of gold.

Your experience really is more suited to an honors class.

So, you got through college chemistry and engineering... that proves you really are a quick study. If this class has a textbook I'll bet you can absorb it in two days. After that, it's simply a matter of staying a few steps ahead of the kids.

Subscriptions to Science News, Scientific American, etc., are very worthwhile. Discussions of current events are always appropriate in an honors class.

Also learn what entertaining tricks involving fire are acceptable at your school. I don't know, but post 9-11 they probably don't want you playing with thermite or gunpowder, and I'll bet even model rockets are pretty iffy these days.