Student Interview

     I interviewed three students at my school. The two questions I posed were "What are the two major political parties in the United States?" and "What is the responsibility of the President?"

     On the second day of class I gave my students a Naturalization test, 100 questions they might be asked if they were attempting to become a United States citizen. This test gave me a good baseline on what my High School students knew, and what gaps might exist in their knowledge.

     One week later I conducted interviews with some of my students. What I found was not necessarily shocking, but it is something I would like to address. In general, students had a rudimentary understanding of the political system in America, but lacked some key information. Most students I interviewed knew the two major political parties, but did not understand the key differences between them. Students also seemed to be confused about the role of a President. In general, students believe the President had much more control in their daily lives than he actually does.

     Here is a link to the my interview.

Side Project

     One thing I remember from my first round of Teachers Education courses at Michigan State University was my professor telling us that as teacher we need to have hobbies and a life outside of teaching. He wanted to make sure we understood that you can't make teaching your life.

     My first thought was, "Well duh." Obviously, if all you do and talk about is teaching you will get burnt out. You'll become the person at parties that talks people into a corner, droning on and on about the importance of educating our youth. I don't want to be "that guy."

     Since I was 17 my friends and I used to come to Detroit to see concerts at the Shelter, Saint Andrews and the Majestic. This was a two hour drive each way from Charlotte, often on school nights. I still showed up the next day, ears ringing and often wearing a new concert t-shirt and a wide smile.

     One thing is for sure, my students are nothing like I was in my high school. When I first got into teaching I knew where I wanted to work. I saw myself teaching in Detroit. I knew it could get frustrating at moments. I knew I would face challenges. I also knew I would need to find a way to let off stress. Seeing how I'm getting older (29 on the 25th) and I don't really go to concerts all that often anymore, I chose to buy a project house in Detroit.

     The place was cheap enough. It cost me less than a single paycheck. A two unit, six bedroom house for less than a paycheck. If you know any stereotypes about teachers its that we don't make a lot of money. You can put two and two together and realize it didn't cost much. You can search the HUD website for yourself and see what a house will cost in your area.

     I purchased the home January of 2012 with my best friend, Chris Sand. It has been a long process with some major ups and downs, but the lower unit is now complete and has been rented out. Over the next I hope to finish the upper unit and have a two unit, six bedroom home in Detroit. If I can do it, you can do it.

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