Sunday, September 20, 2009

Mrs. Frerich, The Tall Math Teacher

Yeah! Technology at the ranchito has changed drastically! I bought a laptop and last week the Dell guy came to our house and installed wireless internet! My life will never be the same. No more waiting 20 minutes for a page to appear on the screen! It all happens so fast, and I feel a little spoiled! :)

For over a month, we did not have internet service out here, that's why blogs have not been written. Well, and to be perfectly honest, there hasn't been much time. You know the routine: everyone's getting adjusted to the new school thing, extra-curricular activities, etc... Also, I accepted a 4 week substitute position. I'm teaching jr. high math! (Insert scream!) At first I didn't really understand why God was nudging me to fill-in (long-term) in the math department, since I'm an english minor and received a BA instead of a BS. I purposely wanted a BA so I would only have to take one math class in college. My oldest daughter does extremely well in math and is very logical. I think she learned through osmosis. Let me explain: When I was pregnant with her, I was taking 18 hrs. in college. The only class that I struggled with was college algebra. As I would do my homework, on the couch, my expanded belly was a perfect "table" for my algebra book. That's where the "osmosis" part comes in! Now, I'm teaching her AP math class! I think the thing that stresses me out more than anything is all my over-achieving friends' kids are in that class!

My sister laughs at me because I told my 6th period class that I would be available at 7:30 in the mornings if they needed help with anything. I don't know what I get myself into sometimes! Doing my best at things tends to consume me at times! One thing I have learned is, if I have the answer key I can figure out and explain anything!

At first, I thought there was this "behind the scenes" reason why God always opened up long-term math jobs for me. Well, I'm starting to believe He has me here for a logical reason...to learn math! He's also been convicting me of saying that I'm not good at math! Ouch! That phrase has always slipped out so easily from my mouth! What kind of example am I setting for my girls when I'm always saying I'm not good in math! I wouldn't want them saying that about themselves, so why should I say it about me!

I'm finding out that I'm not as bad as I thought I was in this subject, but I still have to do some homework before I teach the lesson. All in all, I'm enjoying being in the junior high building. They are a good group of kids and it's fun encouraging them. Another reason why I like the junior high kids is they know how to correctly use their adjectives. They say: "Wow Miss, you're so tall!" I prefer that to what the little elementary kids say. They look at me and say, "You're soooo big!" "Tall" is just a much nicer description! I'm 5'10 but I usually wear wedges or heels, so I look much taller.

Having to teach only 4 classes a day isn't too bad either! :) Hats off to all you teachers out there! It's not as easy as some people think! Until next time..

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