John's+Teacher+Interview

I was fortunate to have as my field experience mentor, CM. CM has been teaching for over forty years in several capacities including the role of superintendent. Several years ago he left administration to return to the classroom, “where I can make an honest living,” he jokes, adding, “and because I really missed the kids.”

At seventy-two years of age, CM has not only amassed an amazing history as an educator, he's lived through history doing it. Somewhere beneath the ever shifting flow and ebb of paperwork on his desk is a name placard that says Prof. Ben Around. CM has been very patient with me and all of my questions this semester, calmly offering advice with the same wise demeanor that he has with the other kids. I think that anybody younger than fifty automatically seems like a student to him.

I gathered the following quotes and observations about students, teaching and life in general from CM over the course of this semester:

//Some of these kids are like old Chryslers. It takes ’em a bit to get goin’ and they’ll stop moving unexpectedly too.

Never confuse movement with action.

Today’s kids aren’t looking forward--today is all there is. Suicide is easy for them. I’ve seen this all happen too many times and in too many ways.

It's not so much about teaching them facts as teaching them how to find the information they need to know. When they’re on their own as adults, they’ll find that they have questions. And they better know how to find the answers!//

CM spends a lot of his own money on food--mac&cheese, peanut butter crackers, fruit juice.

//Learning is work and nobody works well on an empty stomach.//

//This is the worst idea they’ve ever had! Phones in the classroom!

About fifteen minutes is all you can lecture these kids. But if you get them engaged, you can __talk__ with them for hours.//