- Name
- City/town where you live now
- Share a little about your family (whatever you feel comfortable sharing).
- What profession you are leaving to enter teaching?
- What is a passion or interest for you?
- Share a short blurb about your favorite teacher of all time.
- Why do you want to be a teacher?
Friday, August 12, 2011
Welcome to ARC
Please post responses to the following by Sunday, September 30, 11PM. To post comments, you can create an account or you can post comments using "anonymous" but be sure to include your name in the comment, e.g. "From Randy:"
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Makiko Coakley
ReplyDeleteWestport CT
I live with my husband Dan, my 7-year-old daughter Miko, and our dog Dina. My parents live in Tokyo, Japan, where I grew up. I have one younger brother and he lives with his family in Tokyo as well.
Hedge fund manager / Financial Analyst.
Anything to do with my daughter. Spending time with family and friends. Love to ski. Learning to play violin.
She spent a lot of time preparing for her classes and it showed. She gave a quiz every class, used a lot of examples, and was always available. Most of all, it was clear that she loved teaching, and that showed in everything she did.
I know I had teachers that made a difference in my life, and it motivates me to know I could do the same for others. I also love math, and wish to pass this passion for math on to students I teach.
Great start Makiko!
ReplyDeleteI currently live in Meriden, CT with my fiancee, Valen, who I'll be marrying next September, and our 3.5 month old son! Valen works as a research assistant in the school of public health at Yale. Myself, I was a preschool teacher, but left that to stay home and take care of my son!
ReplyDeleteI really love being outdoors, whether kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, or especially backpacking, which I have enjoyed doing on many excursions around the country.
I remember my Chemistry teacher in high school exploding a water jug of alcohol, which knocked the ceiling tile off. I remember being more excited and interested in learning than I ever had before, and this continued throughout the class!
I appreciate the challenge of looking at an idea from different perspectives and trying to find a way to convey this idea to others and participate directly in their journey of learning, which is why I would like to become a teacher!
Joe Grandelski
Shana Smith
ReplyDeleteI currently live in Wethersfield with my husband & two boys (2.5 years & almost 5 years old).
For the past 3 years I've enjoyed being home with my kids while taking math classes to supplement my business degree. Prior to that I was a corporate trainer for medical insurance.
I am an avid reader & I love finding new authors to enjoy. Any suggestions?!
My favorite teacher of all time... I remember loving being in class because his personality & his energy made me want to listen. He was tough & he commanded a high level of respect, but he was also very humorous & caring. These traits combined made him an extraordinary teacher. He could've taught watching paint dry, although I'm glad that he didn't.
Being a corporate trainer was incredibly rewarding but I always felt that I could make a bigger impact working with kids. It seems that once a person starts to believe "I'm just not a math person", they hold that throughout their lives. As a teacher, I hope to be able to undo that belief early, to build confidence, and to open a path to all the career possibilities that otherwise would be overlooked.
I just finished reading "Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes). It was his narrative about teaching HS in New York City for 30 years. Really enjoyed it and got stoked for teaching.
DeleteAuthors - it depends on your preference. However, I always have two "go to" suggestions for movies and books. Movie: City of God, Book: City of Thieves (the similarity of the names is a total coincidence)
DeleteThanks for the suggestions! I loved Angela's ashes so I'm sure Teacher Man will be right up my alley. I will definitely check out City of Thieves because there's nothing better than finding a new author or genre.(Of course all this will be after ARC when I have time!) One of my all-time favorite books was The Glass Castle. It's a memoir that will stay with you for a long time!
DeleteElena Anderson
ReplyDeleteI also live in Wethersfield with my husband and an almost 6 y.o. daughter. We recently added a puppy to our small family.
I am currently a credit analyst for one of the major insurance companies in Hartford. I have changed at least a couple of professions after immigrating from Russia, searching for something that will be more than just a job, and I believe that teaching will allow me to learn and grow continuously, constantly improving, instead of plateauing in what I do.
I love being a parent, we have lots of fun with my daughter. I try to introduce her to everything that I enjoy, whether it is skiing, tennis, theater, books, or painting. And I learn from her, I love to look at the old familiar things through her eyes and see her excitement about them. I love to paint watercolors, some day I will have more time for that. I taught painting to my daughter's age kids on weekends last year.
It was not one teacher, but rather a trait that I noticed in several teachers that stood out. It was their passion about their subject, they really cared that students learned what they were trying to teach, whatever it took. It was their caring attitude and taking personal interest. And it was that they could introduce a new perspective, to make us see something we did not notice before.
I want to do something that makes a difference. Working with a 4th grade girl through a "Math Buddies" program at work in the inner-city school taught me that, with all importance of math for these kids future, a lot of time they also need a mentor. Often they just need somebody to take an interest in them, just to listen to them that day. I got to appreciate how truly lucky my daughter is with all of the opportunities coming her way, and with all the attention she gets. Sometimes I think I bit more than I can chew, it will certainly be very challenging, but I also think that it is well worth the effort, and I hope to be able to do a lot of positive guidance as a teacher, make a difference, inspire.
Eva Konopka
ReplyDelete• Currently reside in Bloomfield
• My parents immigrated to the US from Poland in the 1960s with 3 of my siblings and me. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, and 8 wonderful nieces and nephews (ages 4 to 22).
• Left the investment management profession
• I love traveling and experiencing new cultures, gardening, cooking / entertaining, and the Red Sox.
• Sister Evangeline, my 4th-8th grade math teacher, is my favorite teacher of all-time. She possessed a wonderfully positive attitude and created a very comfortable and interactive learning environment – questions were always encouraged and welcomed. Math never seemed intimidating with her.
• I have been very fortunate to have benefited from the talents of many high caliber teachers. They instilled in me a great appreciation for education and made learning seem so easy. I want to be a teacher so I can help young students discover a joy for learning and to have a positive influence in their lives. There are too many young people that say they “hate math” or “can’t do math” – I would love to change their minds.
The caring attribute of teachers is big time important. It also takes a lot of work. Despite our good intentions the kids make us WORK for their respect and it can take time for them to realize how much we care.
ReplyDeleteFrom Henry Nearing
ReplyDeleteI currently live in Burlington with my 7 year old daughter, our dog, and our 2 pet chickens.
I am currently working as a pension actuary for an actuarial consulting firm.
Like Joe, I really enjoy being outside as much as possible. On nice days you’ll find me either in my garden, kayaking, hiking, or just playing Frisbee with my daughter and dog. I’m also constantly updating/remodeling my house so that keeps me very busy too when I can’t be outdoors.
My science teacher was very entertaining and had the kids help him teach the class. He was the first one who opened my eyes to the difference between lecturing and teaching. Being able to hold the kids’ interest is critical and he would use humor to regain the attention of the class whenever needed.
In my current job I do some level of teaching almost everyday and I find that to be the most rewarding part of my job. I really look forward to work on the days I have a training session scheduled. Besides the obvious reward of teaching others, I enjoy the ensuing conversation and discussions that I initiate and often learn something new myself.
Hello Henry,
DeleteIt appears we have similar interests - we'll hae to chat!
Diane
I live in Riverside with my husband and two boys, 13 & 10. I am originally from the Bronx, NY, but was living way out on Long Island prior to moving to CT 9 years ago.
ReplyDeleteBack in the 80's (Madonna, pac-man, big hair) I taught JHS social studies in East Harlem for 3 years and overseas at an American School for one year. My undergrad degree is in Economics and I have a masters in Computer Science (too dusty to be worth anything currently!) I worked for a technology company as a sales engineer, but have not worked full-time since having kids.
Currently, I coach boys' varsity tennis at Greenwich High School, referee basketball, substitute teach and do a bit of tutoring for middle-school math.
I really enjoy coaching. Athletics has been a major part of my life and I feel strongly about its value when pursued with sportsmanship and ethics.
I've had so many great teachers, its hard to pick just one. My high school literature teacher was way up there. He was so funny and personable that you didn't even realize how much you were learning til you aced the tests!
I'd like to be a teacher because of all the great teachers that have made my life so much fuller.
From: Diane Robbins
ReplyDeleteBethel, CT
Married mother of 3 (24,23,21). Only dependent remaining in the house is our puppy, Ranger.
Engineer by degree, Supply Chain executive by trade.
Gardeniing, softball, outdoors activities (hiking, kayaking) and travelling.
My favorite teacher inspired me to pursue a career in what was a non-traditional field for a female many years ago.
I am committed to lifelong learning and want to pass that love along.
I live in Mystic CT. with my wonderful wife and two boys.
ReplyDeleteI am married to my best friend Christine Valentine. We have to extraordinary boys, Giovanni 10 and Donte 6. We are Yankee fans and love baseball.
I am currently a math teacher at New London High School and have been teaching in some capacity for the last 10 years.
My passion is my family. When I am not teaching I am with my family traveling to different sporting events. My oldest son Giovanni plays both soccer and AAU baseball. My younger son Donte plays both soccer and flag football. I love being a father and cherish every moment I have with my family.
My favorite teaher was my middle school english teacher,Mr. P. Although English has never been my favorite subject, he made learning fun and interesting. At that point in my life I never dreamed of being a teacher but now that I look back, I hope I can inspire students the way Mr. P inspired me.
The reason I want to be a teacher is because I love children. I love the look on a students face when they understand something for the first time. I love the interaction I have with my students and want to do everything I can to help them succeed both in the classroom and in life.
My name is Kevin Butler and I live in New London. I'm originally from Canada but have lived in the US for 30 years, in CT for the last 13. I have two wonderful daughters (Heidi, 16 and Noelle, 13) who live with their mother across the bridge in Groton. I am married to Antonia who currently lives in the Dominican Republic while we await visas for her and her two kids to come through (the petition was just granted last week, but the visa process still remains).
ReplyDeleteMy undergraduate degree is in biochemistry although (as EJ posted -- I like the term) it is too dusty to be of any use. I have a master's degree in theology and have been a pastor of a small church and a director of a church camp and retreat center. I still pastor a very small, part-time church in Hartford where I've been for about 3 years. During the weeks I substitute teach in New London and Groton and tutor math after school.
I love to travel and do so a little more than the budget really allows. I also enjoy outdoor activities like skiing and canoeing and indoor activities like watching movies.
My favorite teacher (whose name I no longer remember but whose stories I do) was a high school science teacher. He told stories that were funny, sometimes self-deprecating, but always easy to relate to that illustrated what he was teaching. That connection to real life made the lessons come alive.
In some ways I have been a teacher throughout my life and career (as pastor, as camp director) but I also realize there's a tremendous amount to learn that will make me a much better, deliberative, and reflective teacher. At the same time I have relatively recently rediscovered my love for math and I want to share the love, fun and joy of discovery that comes from learning, with students. Learning things and keeping on learning is so much fun.
My name is Pranitha Sada. I currently reside in Gales Ferry, CT with my husband and two adorable daughters, who are 6 and 4 years old.
ReplyDeleteI was a project manager prior but currently am a stay at home mom who volunteers at my daughters elementary school as well as works as a substitute teacher in her school district.
I enjoy many a hobbies, including reading, cooking, baking, gardening, running/walking as well as spending time with my family.
My favorite teacher has to be my dad/mom. Their interest in our education as well as the push for us to do 'well' in our life is what ultimately led to me where I am right now.
Having volunteered in my daughters classroom showed me how rewarding as well as how challenging the world of teaching is. While substitute teaching, I realized that just being caring and knowledgeable in the subject matter is not enough to be a good teacher. Classroom management as well as lesson planning is an integral part of teaching that I was missing. I hope to learn from the ARC program this and much more to be an effective teacher.
Hi, my name is Sam Fletcher. I live with my wife and two daughters (6 & 9) in West Hartford, CT. I have been a stay-at-home parent for the last nine years, but prior to that, I was a financial analyst working for both large and small companies.
ReplyDeleteInterests include cooking, homebrewing (hooray beer!), and the NFL. I am a Baltimore sports fan having lived in that area for about a decade and have recently re-discovered that Baltimore actually fields a decent baseball team, or as they call them in Bal'more, the Oreos.
My favorite teacher of all time is a professor who would probably be a terrible HS teacher. He was an upper-level german language and literature professor. What made him interesting is that he told fascinating stories about growing up in post-war Germany, living as a hippy in Europe and his experiences living in West Virginia. Lesson plans were optional for him, but it sorta worked because it was a chance to listen to s fluent native speaker.
I decided to become a teacher halfway through business school. It was there that many of the esoteric exercises in math and algebra actually started having real world connections with me (using "e" as a super-simple way of pricing future cash flows, calculus to solve macroeconomic problems, etc.). I worked for a number of years, but I always had it in the back of my mind that if I ever had the chance, I'd like to be the one who made those practical connections for students. At some point, if given the chance, I'd like to teach personal finance or introductory finance and investing at the HS level.