Apt Pupil

David Snyder

For an interesting twist on the usual classroom blog, see On The Tenure Track, the honest and genuinely funny musings of a high school student–teacher. He began the blog in January and will chronicle his journey through May.

On the one hand, the blogger offers practical advice for those in a similar position, or considering it. For example, he discusses the need to dress to make the proper impression on students and staff—and how to do so inexpensively. In his second semester, he now sports a jacket and tie, a change from his first go-round: "Whenever I had to dress up, I wore black denim, with white socks not matching my shoes at all."

On the other hand, he provides a perspective on teaching and student relationships that even veteran educators can learn from and appreciate. On his first day, for example, he made a critical error, reasoning that because two periods belonged to the same block, students didn't need a break between them. "For the uninitiated, this is an unpardonable sin in student teaching on two levels," he laments. First, he broke from routine without notice to the students, and then he caved in when a few protested. "I probably lost quite a lot of respect from my students as a result. Never, ever, ever break that level of covenant unless ye wish to incur the wrath of the mighty, fiery, five-headed dragon of pestilent famine."

Continue reading his chronicles at http://awaitingtenure.wordpress.com.

David Snyder  is a reference librarian in ASCD's Information Resource Center.