Passion...
Yesterday I was having a drink with some co-workers, and I had to fight back the urge to punch one of them in the face.
I was listening to two of our social studies teachers talking passionately about a couple of different history topics, and how they had created lessons around them. At one point I said "I envy you guys the ability to have this kind of conversation with a colleague. I don't have anyone to talk to like this-there are some great teachers in my department, but they don't have this kind of passion".
At this point one of the history buffs says, "well that's probably because you know, history is more important to life so it's easier to get passionate about".
**cue urge to punch face here**
No, you nimrod. I have nothing against history but it's more important TO YOU because that's what you are passionate about. I teach math now because that's what I am passionate about. I see where math is important although you may not. It has nothing to do with the specific topic-it's the passion I need to interact with (although it's math passion I'm looking for).
I need to build the type of math department where that passion is there-that's what I'm going to need to stay where I am. There will be a lot of factors working against me, but I'm going to give it a shot.
Hopefully no one will have to get punched it the meantime.
I was listening to two of our social studies teachers talking passionately about a couple of different history topics, and how they had created lessons around them. At one point I said "I envy you guys the ability to have this kind of conversation with a colleague. I don't have anyone to talk to like this-there are some great teachers in my department, but they don't have this kind of passion".
At this point one of the history buffs says, "well that's probably because you know, history is more important to life so it's easier to get passionate about".
**cue urge to punch face here**
No, you nimrod. I have nothing against history but it's more important TO YOU because that's what you are passionate about. I teach math now because that's what I am passionate about. I see where math is important although you may not. It has nothing to do with the specific topic-it's the passion I need to interact with (although it's math passion I'm looking for).
I need to build the type of math department where that passion is there-that's what I'm going to need to stay where I am. There will be a lot of factors working against me, but I'm going to give it a shot.
Hopefully no one will have to get punched it the meantime.