I have many smart friends who have made their livelihoods in a variety of ways. Whenever I run across a problem in their area of expertise, I run it by them to see what their opinion is.
Well, I have several friends who are actuaries. I didn't even know this profession existed until I met them. In the most simplified way of explaining what they do, as I don't pretend to understand it, I'll just say they are really good at math. Years ago, one of my friends who was an actuary decided he wanted more meaning in his life so he decided he was going to become a teacher. He was granted an emergency license because of some sort of shortage in educators in this area. Being he was so good at math, he was hired right away.
Well, I received a message from him after just a few days in a middle school classroom. It was one of panic and confusion although I don't quite remember what it said. When I called him back the next day, he said he had already left a letter of resignation on the desk in the principal's office. Looking back, I wish I could have at least advised him to call for a substitute.
I later found out he had also mispronounced the name of a student named Je·sús.
He's back to being an actuary.
Knowing content is far from good enough.
ReplyDeleteThis is precisely why talking to most politicians regardless of whether they are a liberal or a conservative, Republican or Democrat, most have not a clue how children actually learn.
Agreed, teaching is not something anyone off the street can just do. I wonder why this misconception is so pervasive in our society?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your friend though. Guess he learned the hard way...