I was a classroom teacher of high school and middle school math students for twenty years. I taught Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 and Geometry. I left teaching to pursue another career of interest that I really enjoyed until that business was sold and I no longer was able to keep that position. I had not had time to consider my next source of employment when an area high school principal offered me a temporary teaching position. When I got back into the classroom I realized how much I had missed teaching high school-aged students,that teaching is what I was trained to do, and that I felt a sense of accomplishment because hopefully I am positively influencing young people's lives.
I think I have been successful as a classroom teacher because I can get and keep students' attention. I let my students know who I am and what I expect from them. We tend to have mutual respect. If students don't respect you they do not want to let you feel responsible for their learning. I have worked with many reluctant learners over the years and if one method of teaching fails I try another method that may work better, but I am not one to give up on a student.
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