As we wind on down the road.........

I will do a more complete post on my first year of teaching in July. For now, I want to say that this past school year was probably the most rewarding year in my professional life. 

I really never worked as hard, spent so much time at work, and then came home with a smile on my face. Do I know everything there is to know about teaching? Of course not, teaching is a profession where you constantly learn, challenge yourself, and try to improve each day. For those who think teachers have a cake job, think again. My 30 years in the television industry were a walk in the park compared to how hard I worked this year. Teachers are given the daunting task of caring for parent's most prized possession, their children. That is a task which should never be taken lightly, and one that I am honored to do.

My students have been wonderful (for the most part). :) You never know from one day to the next what challenges you will face. Just when you think everyone is on task, something happens, and your game plan does a 360. My experience as a live TV director has prepared me to handle a curve ball, my teaching career has taught me to handle the curve, slider, change-up, and knuckle-ball.

I have challenged my students to "think for themselves", to create their own projects, with little or no help from me. For some, this has been difficult. Many students are used to a teacher spelling out every instruction and every lesson. My aim this year was to teach kids how to use the equipment, what makes good video and audio, and then let them figure out the rest. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. But one thing is certain, broadcasting students have done over 100 videos, created 12 editions (to date) of the school TV program, "Colonial Corner", and filled just about every time slot on our student run radio station, WJSV, 90.5 FM, Morristown.

I would like to thank the administrators, teachers, MHS staff, my mentor (Jim Boothby), and especially the students for welcoming me to Morristown. It is a year I will never forget, and hopefully the beginning of a wonderful journey.

Peace,
Mr. B