Traditional Teacher Appreciation

Nice idea for a thread, John! :):thumbsup:

I've been teaching mathematics since 1973; that must be close to 50 years (you do the math ;)). Most of my classes have been college math or stats of one kind or another, but I've also taught lots of middle schoolers in acceleration or enrichment programs for academically talented kids, I've taught classes on "consumer math" for Purdue secretaries in some kind of certification program, I've worked with GED math students, and I've taught numerous workshops for inservice teachers. I officially retired in August 2018, but I've been teaching one class each semester since then (and this old dog has learned a lot of new teaching tricks in the 3 semesters since COVID-19 rocked our world:eek:o_O).

Until 2014, the only time I remember carrying a knife in class was during summer math camps for gifted middle school kids in which I both taught classes and stayed in the dorms as a counselor, and I'd often have a scout knife in my pocket to deal with whatever situations might arise (bike repairs, uncooperative shoelaces, kids' "care packages" from home, etc.). In 2014, I became more than casually interested in old-fashioned pocket knives like I used to carry growing up on a dairy farm. I started buying a bunch of knives, and I also started carrying 6-12 knives (or more) each day; I guess I'm trying to make up for lost time. :rolleyes: I'll carry any of my knives on my campus, but that's because I follow a "don't ask, don't tell" policy; I have no idea if there are campus rules about acceptable knives.

Gotta show these two knives in this context, since they're both obviously related to my career as a math teacher. The scrimshaw Rough Rider stockman is an awesome gift from r8shell r8shell and the Richartz multiplication table knife is a wondrous gift from B Blake the Blade ! :thumbsup::cool::cool::thumbsup:
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- GT
 
5K Qs said:
Nice idea for a thread, John! :):thumbsup:

I've been teaching mathematics since 1973; that must be close to 50 years (you do the math ;)). Most of my classes have been college math or stats of one kind or another, but I've also taught lots of middle schoolers in acceleration or enrichment programs for academically talented kids, I've taught classes on "consumer math" for Purdue secretaries in some kind of certification program, I've worked with GED math students, and I've taught numerous workshops for inservice teachers. I officially retired in August 2018, but I've been teaching one class each semester since then (and this old dog has learned a lot of new teaching tricks in the 3 semesters since COVID-19 rocked our world:eek:o_O).

Until 2014, the only time I remember carrying a knife in class was during summer math camps for gifted middle school kids in which I both taught classes and stayed in the dorms as a counselor, and I'd often have a scout knife in my pocket to deal with whatever situations might arise (bike repairs, uncooperative shoelaces, kids' "care packages" from home, etc.). In 2014, I became more than casually interested in old-fashioned pocket knives like I used to carry growing up on a dairy farm. I started buying a bunch of knives, and I also started carrying 6-12 knives (or more) each day; I guess I'm trying to make up for lost time. :rolleyes: I'll carry any of my knives on my campus, but that's because I follow a "don't ask, don't tell" policy; I have no idea if there are campus rules about acceptable knives.

Gotta show these two knives in this context, since they're both obviously related to my career as a math teacher. The scrimshaw Rough Rider stockman is an awesome gift from r8shell r8shell and the Richartz multiplication table knife is a wondrous gift from B Blake the Blade ! :thumbsup::cool::cool::thumbsup:
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- GT
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I was wondering when you would jump in Gary. Sounds like you had a fantastic career my friend! Great looking knives, awesome gifts!👍😎
 
JohnDF said:
Absolutely... Welcome Aboard.

My wife started out as a School Psychologist... Small World.
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It is a small world, here’s another one for ya. My brother is a retired Math teacher. 😉
I did my student teaching and taught my first year in a small school a few miles north of Peoria, IL. Years after I left there, he was hired there and has since retired. I use to tell him that the only reason they hired him was because they actually thought they were getting me back. He didn’t think it was as funny as I did! 😂

I guess I’ll just edit this post instead of making a whole new one. My sister is a PE aide in my school right now. I tease her that she isn’t a “real” teacher and when someone brings donuts into the lounge I’ll cut one in half for her! 😂
 
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5K Qs said:
I follow a "don't ask, don't tell" policy; I have no idea if there are campus rules about acceptable knives.
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Glad you joined the thread, GT.
You've certainly been at it a while.
I like your policy on knife carry, just play dumb. :)
bigfish64 said:
My brother is a retired Math teacher.
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That's where the similarities end... my brother was worthless. 🤪
bigfish64 said:
I use to tell him that the only reason they hired him was because they actually thought they were getting me back
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Now that's funny. 🤣
 
I started out teaching industrial arts in 1991 and coached football for my first 10 years. Taught all the traditional “shop” classes at a large high school for many years before making the transition to middle school. After a few years there, the traditional shop classes were replaced with more modernized STEM classes. I’ve been teaching robotics, 3-D design and architecture the past 8 years. My wife and I started at the same school on the same day. She’s a home economics teacher, now called Family & Consumer Science. This year was going to be our last until our state retirement system decided otherwise. Looks like we are hanging around for another five years. I usually pick a different carry knife every day depending on my mood, but this stag Fremont is usually in my pocket most Fridays.6A160AC3-1DF1-42E4-BECA-34B53A6A2390.jpeg
 
To all of you who made a career of teaching, I have to tip my cap. I had stewardship of a 10th grade English class for a year before getting diverted in other directions. These days, in retirement, I rub elbows with the kids again, from the seat of my school bus.

In this job, knives are verboten, so I am careful never to carry anything that shows.
 
I know I wasn't the easiest student, but I can read, write, and in a pinch-even do 'rithmatic, so another Hat's Off to all our teachers here! You guys are a "Sharp" bunch!!
🔪✏✒🖍🖌⌨🖱📕📖📚🤠👍
 
I know it's been a difficult time for teachers, and appreciate all the extra work you're doing to educate kids :thumbsup:

I started school at a time when corporal punishment was meted out, almost randomly, to the youngest of children, and where you learned to dodge a flying piece of chalk or board rubber before you learned your 'tables'. I certainly couldn't count the amount of times, during my younger school years, when I was hit with a hand, ruler, cane, slipper, or a variety of other weapons, and I don't think I was singled out for such punishment, particularly. So, school was often an interruption to the general happiness of my childhood, rather than an enhancement. I could read and write before I started school, and am thankful for being able to pursue my own learning.

I was happy to leave school at the earliest opportunity, and never expected to have a formal teaching position of any kind myself. I did some further education, both as part of a mechanics apprenticeship, and for pleasure, eventually getting a degree, and my first teaching was when I was a youth-worker, running classes on everything from kite-making to navigation. Some years later, I became a wine lecturer, teaching catering students, restaurateurs, and enthusiasts, and then was recruited to teach English in France. When I returned to England, I would probably have gone back to some form of teaching, but went into writing instead. I've spoken at colleges and universities since then, and done other bits of teaching, including teaching climbing and outdoor skills, and always found it rewarding.

I often ask the children of friends about their school life, and am very happy that things are starkly different to when I was a boy, with caring, intelligent teachers. I'm the go to guy when the kids want to learn about knives, or tying a knot, or lighting a fire, and all my friends send their kids my way :D

My girlfriend is a college lecturer, and has been working throughout, either teaching online from home, or in the college, and she's had far more work than usual (and she usually works about 60 hours a week). Anyway, Big up the Chalkies! ;) :D :thumbsup:
 
Jack Black said:
. I certainly couldn't count the amount of times, during my younger school years, when I was hit with a hand, ruler, cane, slipper, or a variety of other weapons, and I don't think I was singled out for such punishment, particularly.
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The same for me Jack. Slaps on the ears, heavy ruler beatings on the fingers tips and supreme humiliation about our strong accent (i'm breton): "You speak like a bagpiper".
It doesn't help, i liked school, the mysteries of the french grammar, spelling and punctuation, the truths of the geometry and arithmetic, the beauty of the geographic maps hanging on the walls, the terrible tales of the wars against the perfidious English and the German barbarians. What a glory it is to know!
Well, i did my best, ended up with a mechanic fitter "diploma" and then came the hard years. School was a bless. Thanks to my harsh teachers.

Dan.
 
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Jack Black said:
I started school at a time when corporal punishment was meted out, almost randomly, to the youngest of children, and where you learned to dodge a flying piece of chalk or board rubber before you learned your 'tables'
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The Nuns used to slap our hands with rulers and the Principal had a wicked wooden paddle she enjoyed using. I can't even imagine saying a cruel word to a student these days, much less laying hands on them (nor would I want to)... times have changed, and maybe not always for the better.
Jack Black said:
my first teaching was when I was a youth-worker, running classes on everything from kite-making to navigation. Some years later, I became a wine lecturer, teaching catering students, restaurateurs, and enthusiasts, and then was recruited to teach English in France.
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You have a vast world of experience, my friend. 🤠 :thumbsup:
 
Retired three years ago after 40 years of teaching. Taught middle school and high school, mostly high school, American History and Economics. Carried a SAK tinker and/or a Queen peanut for all those years. I have been coaching wrestling even longer - 48 years. Did not get to coach this past winter due to the plague.
 
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