Teaching (and life) Update

Author: Mr. Falls


I've got a long weekend this weekend for fall break, which gives me a chance to catch my breath a little bit and give you an update on how teaching has been going! I get asked sometimes, "do you love teaching?" and I honestly don't know how to answer that question right now. There are things that I love about it and things that I don't love. Overall, I'm really glad that God has Emily and I where He has us in life and so I'm grateful that I'm having this experience teaching. I definitely love the students I teach and have really enjoyed developing more meaningful relationships with some students.




My school: Chavez HS, Houston, TX

 I essentially teach two versions of Algebra 1, one for English speaking students and one for English as a Second Language (ESL) students. Most of these students have been in the country for between one and 12 months. The first few weeks of my ESL classes were very hard because of the language barrier. I was just not ready for what I experienced in my two ESL classes on day one of school and it took me several weeks to get caught up. I am finally experiencing some success in teaching them the material and in managing a classroom full of students who for the most part can't understand most of what I say. There is a bilingual senior student who helps me out those periods and she has been a blessing.


My four periods of Algebra 1 that are taught to English speaking students are going very well. For the most part, classroom management is not an issue. The students generally respect me and are engaged in the class. I use a lot of different techniques to keep students engaged, but my favorite is "cold calling," which keeps students on their toes because they don't know who I'm going to call on at any given time. So far, it seems to me that students are learning. As they say, "if students aren't learning, then you aren't teaching." I gave my first test on Thursday, so as I grade the tests this week, I suppose I'll find out if I've actually been teaching or if I've just been wasting the students' time. From the few that I've graded, I've been pleased but not thrilled with the results. I still have a long way to go before I'm an incredible effective teacher. As my mother-in-law told me when I first applied for Teach for America, if you're going to be a teacher, "you have to own the learning of your students," meaning that you have to do what it takes to make sure your students are getting out of your class what they need to, even if it means having to go far above and beyond as a teacher. I'm taking that advice to heart.


Besides teaching, I've been blessed to have my best friend and wife alongside me every step of the way. I couldn't be doing this without her at all. We are also continuing to get plugged in with our church, Kaleo, where we're experiencing great fellowship with other Christians, having the opportunity to do ministry, and growing so much in our faith. God is so faithful and it's exciting to be in the midst of this adventure He has planned for us. We are praying that our lives are a reflection of Colossians 2:6-7. Thanks so much for your love and prayers. We miss family, friends and Indiana so much - you're in our hearts and prayers as well.