School starts up for the teachers next week, and I'm looking forward to getting back (mostly). The "mostly" stems from a major change this year - we're moving to a new building. The Headmistress purchased a building which is nicer than what we had and also much larger. Expansion of the school seems very possible and we're gearing up for our new location. But after having been out of town on vacation for the past three weeks, I was unaware of how far behind the move is. The building had a major structural problem which required a change in the schedule. The next few weeks will take a lot of effort to get us going. Too many boxes to unpack, too many details, etc.
But I'm also looking forward to new students, the returning students, and the addition of two new classes - Earth Science and Engineering. Both will take a lot of my time, but I'm really looking forward to them. The Museum of Science in Boston is home to the National Center for Technological Literacy and they have worked with other groups and teachers to develop a new textbook simply titled "Engineering the Future." It is targeted for high school and is the result of a concerted effort to attract more students to the engineering sciences.
Although I personally prefer engineering with more of a mathematical component, this book seems ideal for high school students who don't seem to have a strong affinity for mathematics. It is project oriented and poses challenges that the students attempt to solve. I think it will work and am anxious to try it.
The Earth Science class will utilize a college-level text that has a strong on-line support component. There is a lot of material for a high-schooler, but I feel they will get much more than the basics. In any event, both classes provide opportunities for field trips in the area, which we may need while the school is undergoing final renovation.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Update
Hmmmm. It has been a long time since my first, and only post, on this blog. It was an experiment to try out the concept of blogging and I simply wrote up what was going through my mind at that point in time, which was looking for an opportunity to teach science after an industrial career. I had asked if anyone was interested in the discussion, and I got an overwhelming response (zero).
I should probably delete it, but will leave it for now and simply add a comment on my current status. I have a wonderful job as a science teacher at a small, private high school (Sparhawk) located in Salisbury, MA. http://www.sparhawkschool.com/contact_us.html
I teach chemistry, physics, biology, forensics, and history of science classes. The class sizes are small and the fact that it is private allows us more flexibility in offering subjects that are not geared towards state education exams. This is particularly useful for a class that I developed that teaches the main ideas in science without focussing on the math.
I'm taking an interesting trip in a couple of weeks to study dolphins in Greece in order to help establish environmental guidelines to aid in their preservation. The expediton is run by a non-profit called Earthwatch Institute ( http://www.earthwatch.org/ ). My blog for that trip will be kept at http://mrspillmaningreece.blogspot.com/
I should probably delete it, but will leave it for now and simply add a comment on my current status. I have a wonderful job as a science teacher at a small, private high school (Sparhawk) located in Salisbury, MA. http://www.sparhawkschool.com/contact_us.html
I teach chemistry, physics, biology, forensics, and history of science classes. The class sizes are small and the fact that it is private allows us more flexibility in offering subjects that are not geared towards state education exams. This is particularly useful for a class that I developed that teaches the main ideas in science without focussing on the math.
I'm taking an interesting trip in a couple of weeks to study dolphins in Greece in order to help establish environmental guidelines to aid in their preservation. The expediton is run by a non-profit called Earthwatch Institute ( http://www.earthwatch.org/ ). My blog for that trip will be kept at http://mrspillmaningreece.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Career Change
This is my first blog, so beware.
I thought it might be useful to share my experience as I work through a career change. After over 30 years in industry I am trying to move into teaching chemistry at either the high school or college level. I have a PhD in chemistry and an MBA in marketing and feel that I could bring an interesting perspective to students who are interested in a technical career. I enjoyed teaching as a TA in graduate school and my various management roles in industry also carried various roles of instructional activity. My dual degrees allowed me to work at the interface of science and business; an interface that largely deals with questions of technology forecasting, evaluation, management, and goal-setting. After reading many articles on a growing shortage of science and math teachers, especially in high school, I concluded that a career change would be: 1) invigorating, 2) interesting, 3) socially responsible, and 4) a shorter commute.
But it is very difficult to leave a career that is challenging and also rewarding. Age is also a factor. A significant career change for individuals over 55 creates risks in health insurance, eventual social security payments (assuming the program continues), retirement benefits, and salary. Responsibility for a family with students in college is a key consideration. So I never made a decision. I just wondered.
I am no longer wondering and am now making that career change. The decision wasn't entirely my own, as I may eventually explain. The details will form this blog, if I believe they could be of help or interest to anyone. My notes will include a 2-month experience of teaching chemistry at a good high school to cover for a maternity leave. I learned a lot.
Anyone interested in hearing this?
I thought it might be useful to share my experience as I work through a career change. After over 30 years in industry I am trying to move into teaching chemistry at either the high school or college level. I have a PhD in chemistry and an MBA in marketing and feel that I could bring an interesting perspective to students who are interested in a technical career. I enjoyed teaching as a TA in graduate school and my various management roles in industry also carried various roles of instructional activity. My dual degrees allowed me to work at the interface of science and business; an interface that largely deals with questions of technology forecasting, evaluation, management, and goal-setting. After reading many articles on a growing shortage of science and math teachers, especially in high school, I concluded that a career change would be: 1) invigorating, 2) interesting, 3) socially responsible, and 4) a shorter commute.
But it is very difficult to leave a career that is challenging and also rewarding. Age is also a factor. A significant career change for individuals over 55 creates risks in health insurance, eventual social security payments (assuming the program continues), retirement benefits, and salary. Responsibility for a family with students in college is a key consideration. So I never made a decision. I just wondered.
I am no longer wondering and am now making that career change. The decision wasn't entirely my own, as I may eventually explain. The details will form this blog, if I believe they could be of help or interest to anyone. My notes will include a 2-month experience of teaching chemistry at a good high school to cover for a maternity leave. I learned a lot.
Anyone interested in hearing this?
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