Secher Nbiw Update

The Path continues. And it is long, and boring.

Module 3 of pre-service training has begun; this one is titled "Creating a Learning Community" and is basically self-explanatory. It's all about setting up an environment conducive to learning. The sad thing is, none of this is stuff I didn't already learn as part of my BA (I took the teacher-preparation concentration).

That's basically what this pre-service coursework has been: survey-depth coverage of material I've already surveyed. I'll have to take it all in more depth once I've got a position and enroll in the two-year program, but at least then I won't feel like it's so incredibly common-sense.

One of my fellow interns continues to amaze me with his utter and complete dismissal of anything the instructors say. They talk about not yelling at students, and his reply is "That might work for you, but it won't cut it in my school." Only it sounds more like "... in my skoo." He's basically of the opinion this is all airy-fairy nonsense, and it shows in his dismissive attitude. The instructor will be talking to him, and he just ignores her and fiddles with his phone, his soda can, his books. He's basically a perfect model of a bored, uninterested student. It's fascinating to watch how they handle him. It's infuriating to be placed in a group with him, though: he disengages completely, and will only speak if he's prompted to. He just sits there silently, maybe makes a snarky comment about how stupid this (where "this" is whatever exercise we're doing at the moment) is, and that's it. Some of us have learned to avoid teaming with him if we can help it. So far we're all friendly with him in general, but wary of him in class. I'm trying not to dislike him, but his presence is so off-putting it's difficult.

Another intern, who I thought had to be no older than 25, revealed to me she's only a year younger than I am. Yeesh. I hate people who look that young. I know I'm not old, but I think I look older than I am. That's partially a function of being overweight, though -- it distorts the face and makes things look worse than they are.

My applications have hit the 45 mark; we're told July is terrible for job-seeking because most Principals go on vacation about this time. SCUSD has openly declared now that we WILL have a chance in their district; apparently there was a lot of confusion about this.

The Path goes ever forward...

Comics Geekery

I'm not a huge fan of comic writer/artist Erik Larsen's work. I think he all but destroyed Nova after Fabien Nicieza, who had turned him into a heroic character I loved, left the character behind.

However, I cannot help but agree with some of his commentary on the comics world. Particularly, I found this piece on how comics heroes are depicted to be relatively awesome. I agree with him: Yes, most comics heroes are going to be pretty. No, that doesn't mean they should all look the same.

There's also a good one about "profanity" in comics and why the ban on it is actually fairly silly. An excerpt:

There are tens of thousands of words in the English language in active use -- why discriminate against seven of them? What's the point? There are words that mean the same thing and we all know it -- why is "ca-ca" fine and "shit" not okay? Why is "make love" or "intercourse" or even "hump" okay, but "fuck" makes people get all bent out of shape?

Anyway, give him a read.

Curmudgeon Announcement

This is a no-comments-allowed announcement. I realize it's a bit rude. You'll get over it. But enough of you have done both these things I just have to speak up.

I generally HATE comments that are unrelated to the post. If you need to call my attention to something, either post it on your own LJ or (the better path) EMAIL it to me.

Similarly, if I make a post with comments disabled, it means that, for whatever reason, I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS. Please do not then place a comment on the next post (or the prior post). It's just rude.