After 20 years of teaching at Brookfield Central, I am saying goodbye. Although I spent the majority of that time in the physics classroom alongside my learners. That changed for my last 18 weeks. I ended up in a place similar to where I started, teaching chemistry and biology. So, rather than dealing with juniors and seniors at the end of their high school careers, I was in classrooms with freshmen and sophomores still trying to find their place. At the same time, I was learning and teaching a set curriculum I hadn't taught in over a decade. So, we were learning. But, of course, I already knew the content. The point of this post is to take a step back, reflect, and share the gratitude from the last students I had in my 20 years at Brookfield Central High School, as expressed through the cards and notes they made for me on my last day with them. I don't take many "yay me" moments. But after 20 years, I'll soak this one in.
"Examples of gender inequity are abundant in school texts and children’s books and movies, classroom experiences, exposure to science toys, and other science-related experiences." - The Franklin Institute I've been a Star Wars fan for a long time. In fact, it was my first movie experience I can remember. Darth Vader entering the Tantive IV. So it was with great pleasure that I really liked The Force Awakens. After seeing the film, I felt the need to write about it. But not about the Physics of the Starkiller Base, but something much more real world. The part of the film that brought me the greatest joy was seeing a the Return of the Heroine to Star Wars. Rey (last name? Skywalker? Solo? Episode VIII you're my only hope) is the type of hero boys have been getting for ages. Heroes who have no problems fending for themselves, learning new skills on their own, and demonstrating these skills. Think James Bond, Indiana Jones, Robert ...