Math Hand
I remember years ago going to a pro-d dinner arranged for several high schools in our Zone. When we arrived, we were told to group ourselves by department. While others actually had to ask around to find their colleagues, we math teachers were instantly recognizable -- yes -- by our 'math hands' -- which in my case was math arm. Blue and green were my colours of choice, and I consumed overhead rolls at such a pace I needed 3 taped together. Only the science department were ever able to wash theirs truly clean. They had sinks and running water in their labs. The rest of us used spray bottles and school-issue paper towels which we all know are the least absorbent on Earth. (I think they must be specially manufactured for schools; who else would buy them?)
My favourite detention was to have students stay after school and clean the overhead. When they went home with 'math hand,' I knew their parents would grill them about what they had done to be kept after school. Some of the most interesting instances of true collaboration took place at my overhead after class as the student DT teams (a) established what each one had done to incur this duty and (b) decided who would spray, who would roll and who would get the worst job -- wiping.
Even at its worst, though, to a teacher who started out in the 1970's, this was 'new tech' compared to the real old days of chalkboards and eraser-clapping. I have to say I wore my colours with pride as they instantly marked me as a math teacher -- a role I worked hard at and a job I was proud to do as well as I could. Here is the link to the Interactive Classroom makeover contest that sparked this reflection.
Why don't I suffer from math hand any longer? I've moved out of mainstream school to a storefront alternative program where the work is presented in individualized learning packages and we work side-by-side with the students.
QUESTION: I wonder what the 21st century teacher's equivalent to chalk dust and math hand will be?
