So after 1 week of teaching in the State of Texas I can fairly assess a few difference between the TX and FL Educational Systems.... as well as a few other things.
*We teach a Pre-AP Curriculum to non Pre-AP Students. I say this because we are challenging them from the start.
*Discipline is Strong. I have yet to see an AP smile. And I have seen them stand by the rules our students and parents have opted to agree to from Day 1. Accountability is Key.
*At our Discipline Assembly, teachers stood around the outside of the auditorium closely watching all students. 4 were removed, and I threatened to put one in the "Hucklebuck" (s/o to T.Ham) He got the message.
*Classes are 50 minutes, and we give students 5 minutes in between classes.
*We have a incredibly strict tardy policy in which students must be in class on-time.
*Being 10-minutes from Texas Instruments headquarters has allowed us to make sure we have the latest Calculators, and toys for our classes. I just recycled my overhead two days ago, sidenote.
*We start at 9:00 and end at 4:10 pm, so yes, I hit rush hour to and from practice. It's a little ridiculous
*Texans are incredibly friendly and courteous. I had a teacher offer my family her house, since she heard how bogus our living situation has been for the past three weeks. God Bless Mrs. Fixler, and her ginormous house she offered to us.
*I am currently on the 4th section in Algebra I, meaning we have covered 4 sections in 4 actual days. The 4th section is actually the equivalent of the 13th section I would have covered in Pinellas County. Translation: We don't spoon feed, and we hold students accountable.
* I am the only person in my department with children, therefore I offer a completely different viewpoint when we discuss matters of time management and commitment. I am also the most experienced in my department, yet I am the "New Guy." True to my FL ways, I am the loudest, especially when teaching, but the quietest in department meetings. I don't really need to voice my opinion, but they understand that the stories that they hear from my students, are pretty good mnemonic devices for formulas and equations.
* I have 120 students in 5 periods, and I have a total of about 12 White students. Considering I didn't have 12 black students during my entire career at SHS, I would say this is completely different, that SHS, but not necessarily from my first couple of years at Osceola.
*I can almost guarantee that if you are within the U.S. you will hear me cry tears of joy when they give me my house keys, and yell ad Texas-like "YEE-HAW" when I move into our house.
*Sidenote: I do miss the homies...... Z, The Boss, and Papi for sure.....
Student Stories Texas Style soon to come.....
