I had the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream … teaching high school Math.
I am forever grateful to Ed Van Gorder, Parker School Headmaster, for taking a chance and giving me the opportunity; likewise, big thanks to Tana Hilliard for giving up her Pre-Algebra class, so I could teach it.
Parker School is a private school in Waimea on the Big Island – enrollment is small, as is each class size. Its home is the old Kahilu Theater – kind of like the little red schoolhouse.
(In my high school years, as a student at HPA, we would get bussed to the old theater on the weekends and watch travelogues.)
Then, a few decades later at Parker, each morning, I would arrive extra early, so I could greet each student as they came onto the school’s front porch, whether they were in my class or not.
I figured a special greeting with a smile and a few words of encouragement couldn’t hurt the start of a new day.
While most teachers used the board on the wall to write on, I preferred the overhead projector and screen. The students hated that, because they knew I was constantly facing them and they had to be on their toes at all times.
There is something special that happens when students “get it” in Math. When those light bulbs start shining, there is a happy glow throughout the classroom. I lived for those moments.
And, the way I am, when I get excited the volume of my voice increases.
I remember students asking “why am I yelling (at them)”?
It wasn’t because anything wrong was happening – actually, I was so excited that the group was “getting it” that my voice raised and the volume went up – some confused that with anger. Actually, some waaay cool stuff was happening in the classroom.
Being a Math teacher, I had my signature pencil with me at all times – a Ticonderoga #2 – but my pencil was 5-feet tall.
I also had a smaller, 2-foot, wooden pencil, with which I became pretty adept at slapping just the right way on the surface of the desk at just the right time to get the class’ attention (folks down the hall could also hear.)
I have to admit, those were some of the best of times. I miss the classroom.
I was working two fulltime jobs, at the same time. It was interesting to see how people knew me.
Some people knew I maintained my usual career in real estate as a full time real estate appraiser/consultant.
They thought that was all I did.
Other people knew me as a fulltime high school math teacher and soccer coach at Parker School.
They thought that was all I did.
And then there were others who knew I was a teacher/coach and a real estate appraiser/consultant.
It was interesting that some folks didn’t know of my “dual” life.
It wasn’t a secret; it just turned out some people didn’t know I had another life.
While not in the classroom, I am still enjoying life and having fun. My basic philosophy is that anything worth doing, is worth having fun doing it.
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