Sorry but I have just a few more Q'sfrom what you said And something that I saw today.
Actually I was talking about specific course exams. I've been out of touch for awhile so I don't know all the rules about GRE, SAT, GMAT, etc.
Do you mean that I ask them to give me their tests to take? Would this be called a departmental test?
My experience is that a GOOD teacher can teach anything, even subjects s/he knows little about. Good teachers are good because they read about the subject, they take care in making their notes, they stick to the subject in class, they treat the students with respect and dignity, they know how to present material clearly, and they stay AT LEAST one jump ahead of the students. Finaly, a good teacher knows when s/he is in over her/his head and doesn't go there in the first place.
Sometimes it's not good enough to be one step ahead. For example, I think it always helps to know what your talking about just in case someone asks why this or that rxn for example cannot happen and you have to explain it to them. And a good teacher has to be willing to teach you until you get the concept. (My organic teacher is one of the most dedicated people I know and is what I would call a good teacher) I have to say that you fall into the category of good teacher as well, since you're willing to explain things to students which is good. But it's quite interesting to see how students left and right will nod their heads when the teacher asks, "do you understand class?" but when the test results come back the truth that they do not understand is quite evident.
Interesting. At the young age of 42, I too decided to become a vet---until I talked to a vet friend of mine. I figured that with a Ph. D. in chemistry I could swing it but he was quick to tell me that I had zero chance of getting into the schools BECAUSE I wouldn't be a decent vet for at least age 49 or 50 and the schools wanted to prepared vets for the long haul--not a short span of 15 years or so. In addition, there are no vet schools in the state and the out of state schools wouldn't give my application a second glance. So I dropped that idea fast.
I agree that it is interesting..but why did you want to be a vet all of a sudden? It seems to say that you weren't happy what you were doing. If you were happy doing what you were doing at the time there shouldn't have been any thoughts of changing careers, I would think.
Wow=> today after I was finished with organic lab, I noticed that there was a flyer in my school for an "Interviewing Conference" (science department) and everyone from the science department was there today including the new head of the science department but what I found interesting was that it was an "event" to search for new teachers and also that I only saw one room being cleared out to make room... and that reminded me of what you said about the challenge of even getting an interview
I don't know but the interview process isn't usually like this right?, where to find a new teacher an "interview" day is set up where all the science department teachers host an event, Or is it always like this?
Thanks Dr.Bob
Do you mean that I ask them to give me their tests to take? Would this be called a departmental test?
yes, it could be called a departmental exam.
Sometimes it's not good enough to be one step ahead. For example, I think it always helps to know what your talking about just in case someone asks why this or that rxn for example cannot happen and you have to explain it to them. And a good teacher has to be willing to teach you until you get the concept. (My organic teacher is one of the most dedicated people I know and is what I would call a good teacher) I have to say that you fall into the category of good teacher as well, since you're willing to explain things to students which is good. But it's quite interesting to see how students left and right will nod their heads when the teacher asks, "do you understand class?" but when the test results come back the truth that they do not understand is quite evident.
As a story to go with this, just to show you are right. Several years ago I was teaching a class in freshman chemistry and while I was talking a student on the front row was nodding his head to say, "yes, I understand perfectly what you are saying." He did this for about three weeks and I told my wife during lunch one day that I had a really good student in one of my classes. I so looked forward to that class meeting each time it was scheduled. Then came test time and that student not only made a poor grade but made the worst grade in the class. I talked to him after class to see if he had become nervous, had a bad night, was sick, didn't have enough time to study, or any of the other usual things that can happen to a student on test day. It turns out that he HAD to take chemistry, didn't like it, didn't want to be in the class, thanked me for my taking the time to ask, then dropped the class. So much for head nodding.
I agree that it is interesting..but why did you want to be a vet all of a sudden? It seems to say that you weren't happy what you were doing. If you were happy doing what you were doing at the time there shouldn't have been any thoughts of changing careers, I would think.
MONEY. MONEY. MONEY!.
I was quite happy with my job. But when one reaches the ripe old age of 45 or so, one starts to think about retirement savings, taking care of the family in hard times, what happens to the family if I'm not there, etc. So that brief 3-4 week period I had dollar signs in my eyes. And I thought becoming a vet was a way to get those dollars. There was a shortage of vets in my town and I was ready to fill the gap even if it meant going back to school for a few years. The vets were making three times my salary and I wanted a piece of the action.
I don't know but the interview process isn't usually like this right?, where to find a new teacher an "interview" day is set up where all the science department teachers host an event, Or is it always like this?
I have seen some interview days like this in fields where the market is tight, especially in large cities or metropolitan areas, but not in fields where a plethora of interviewees abound. My experience is that this is somewhat unique.
Thanks for your advice and interesting stories (quite entertaining to say the least) Dr.Bob =)
To answer your questions:
1. Regarding specific course exams like GRE, SAT, GMAT, etc., you do not ask them to give you their tests to take. These exams are standardized tests that measure certain skills and knowledge and are administered by official testing organizations. To take these exams, you need to register and schedule a test date through the official websites of the respective exams. You will be provided with a test center where you can go and take the exam in a controlled environment.
2. A departmental test is typically a test administered by a specific department within a university or college to assess the knowledge and skills of students in that particular subject area. It is not the same as standardized exams like GRE, SAT, or GMAT. Departmental tests are often used to evaluate students' performance in specific courses and may cover material taught within that department or subject area.
3. It's true that a good teacher can teach anything, even subjects they may not have deep expertise in. However, having a solid understanding of the subject matter is crucial for effective teaching. As you mentioned, it helps to be more than just one step ahead of the students. A good teacher should have a strong grasp of the subject and be able to explain concepts clearly. Additionally, being dedicated to helping students understand the material and being able to provide effective explanations are also important qualities of a good teacher.
4. The decision to pursue a new career, such as wanting to become a vet, can stem from various reasons. It is not necessarily an indication that someone is unhappy with their current profession. People may have different interests, passions, or aspirations at different stages of their lives, which can lead them to consider changing careers. In the case you mentioned, the individual's interest in becoming a vet was hindered by various factors such as age limitations and limited access to veterinary schools.
5. The process of hiring new teachers can vary depending on the institution and the specific circumstances. While traditional interview processes are commonly used to evaluate candidates, it is not always the case that departments host special events to search for new teachers. It's possible that the interviewing conference you saw was a unique occasion or a specific approach taken by that particular school or department. Generally, the hiring process typically involves reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and assessing candidates' qualifications and abilities to determine the best fit for the teaching position.