I Sold Your Guitar for Crack

No, I didn’t sell your anything for crack. It’s just one of the things I heard today trying to get ready for my classes in the fall.

My computer lit class is coming along nicely. I’ve gotten three units done so far. Computer Lit is a challenging course to teach because most students are computer literate. I’ve decided to make the class more about how to buy a computer and then a survey of using computers for multimedia purposes. I’ve almost done the purchasing section.

I was able to go the gym today. I joined a gym that is in walking distance from my apartment. So, today I walked. After the workout, I decided to go do my job. I took my digital cameras and played tourist. I first went to City Park and walked the section around the Museum of Art. I think I got some good pictures, but I don’t have a card reader right now. I then went down to the Quarter. I find New Orleans on a weekday late in the afternoon right after it rained is one of most magical places. It was gorgeous. I also think I got some good pictures, especially one that got the street sign “Royal” with Jesus in the background. And I got to hear the title of my blog from a local.

My goal with all these pictures is twofold. First of all, I want a stock photography folder for my class to use. This will be for my Web Design, Desktop Publishing, and Digital Graphics class. This way I can eliminate “Google ganking.” This is the practice of taking photos from Google Images or such and using them in making your own design. Now Fair Use protects somewhat, but let’s face it everyone does it. My goal is to teach kids not to. They almost all have digital cameras (or phones that have cameras) and they should start their own photo collection. The second reason is personal. I want to decorate my apartment, and instead of buying art or photographs, I need to do it. Besides it will only allow me to improve my skills.

I can’t wait to hang up my picture of One Eyed Jacks in the bathroom.

I Promise I Will Keep this Blog Semi Up To Date

I’ve tried blogs before. I always lose interest. I’m determined not to here. I think the main reason why I lost interest was the fact that I created blogs about stuff that I find interesting but don’t have the time to do well. Well, the reason why I don’t have time to do well is that I work all the time. Well, why not do one on my job – teaching. I won’t make it just about teaching, that would be as boring as, well, a lesson on Puritan Literature. I will broaden it out to other things especially the ones that teaching affects. I will not mention student’s names (and will only try to talk about them in a positive light). I will do the same for students. In other words, I will protect the innocent. At least I will protect them from me.

Well, what do I teach? Nothing I went to school for. I teach Digital Graphics, Web Design, Computer Literacy, Desktop Publishing, and Principles of Marketing to name a few. Since I’ve been at my school (which is the surrounding parishes of New Orleans – no I won’t mention the name of it either), I’ve taught Freshmen Experience, World Geography, American History, Free Enterprise, Civics, Business Computer Applications, plus the above classes. I’m also certified in English. My degree is in History with a minor in English. I went back for my alternative certification. I taught English I, Civics, World Geography, and 8th grade reading at once school, 6th and 7th grade Social Studies at a school in New Orleans and then ended up where I’m at now due to Katrina. I became business certified basically to keep teaching at the school I’m at now. I also coach basketball.

This summer is a busy time for me. Because I teach the classes I teach, I’m often a servant of the software. Now, I don’t teach Desktop Publishing and Web Design just by the software. I teach color theory, photography, typography, and design theory. The school system I work for has bought us Adobe CS3. I have a passing knowledge of Photoshop, but I have never used Illustrator or InDesign. It’s important for me to learn these programs well since they are the industry standards. This is where rant number one will start.

I have way too many teaching friends that cry and moan (I’ll try to keep this free of adult language) about the classes they teach and they really don’t know the subject matter well enough to teach it. Well, freaking learn it well enough. You are a professional. Read some books, search the internet (but watch where you search), talk to other teachers, but learn it. Your students probably don’t know much about the subject before they are subjected to your teaching. Again, be a professional and learn it.

The reason why I bring it up, is that I have self learned the subjects I taught. I graduated from college in ’95 from a small university. I didn’t even think these were viable programs of study when I was in school. I’ve busted my butt trying to be good at what I do. This summer hopefully you will see exactly just that – me busting my tail to become better at what I do.

The other thing I will talk about this summer is my struggle to lose weight. This is where basketball comes to play. Teachers can leave work at 2:30, but coaches stay a lot longer especially when you have to share a gym with others. Late nights, cause you to want to not eat right and not work out. Then I feel guilty for telling my kids to get in shape when I’m obviously not.

Hopefully, I can make this blog entertaining and a good read. I won’t mention names not to keep my identity a secret, but more to keep a level of professionalism that sometimes I sorely lack when I just rant and vent to my friends.