And Happy New Year!
I am a high school mathematics and physics teacher, teaching at the same high school that I graduated from. (I like to joke with my students that I have been at the school since 1985!) I would also like to acknowledge the Esquimalt and Songhess Nations on whose traditional Lekwungen territory I live, learn and do my work. It truly is a gift to live here!
This is my eighth MET course and it seems like it has been a lifetime ago since I began. For the last two years, I have only taken 2 courses per year, to preserve sanity, to preserve important relationships, to get as much out of each course as I can, and to offset my sloth-like, reading pace. (If I had to do algebra or calculus, for this degree, I am certain I could do more courses at once, haha!)
Truth be told, I was a bit nervous signing up for a course with “Venture” in its title. If you read my dusty, LinkedIn profile, I am most definitely not a business person. However, reading the course introduction material, I realize that I am quite ad-venture-ous, at heart. Reflecting on my twenty years of teaching, every single year, I have tweaked and modified my practice. I have never been content to do the same approaches, I enjoy thinking about how technology can be brought to the table, and I am one of those weirdos who like a good meeting that discusses new directions for education.
At present, I am very passionate about collaboration in the classroom setting, and incorporating anti-anxiety anti-oppressive practices, into my delivery. I continually want to learn more about approaches that make life easier on those who struggle with mathematics. As well, being fresh out of ETEC521, I finally feel like I am ready to weave Indigenous worldviews into my practice, with more confidence. Having been “in the biz” for awhile, I find myself straddling traditional and modernized pedagogies. I am a fan of blended learning environments that combine some “new” (flipped learning, inquiry, guide-on-the-side, etc.) with some “old” (notes, lecture, sage-on-the-stage, etc.).
I am also hoping that some of us (all of us?) will make use of #etec522 on Twitter, this semester. My Twitter handle is @physicsfuntime. If you are new to Twitter, this is the perfect time to start your Personal Learning Network. I promise to follow you! #thatsnotcreepyihope
Cheers,
Dana