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Teaching an Elective Class
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Kevin Bibo
Kevin Bibo teaches high school computer multimedia in Southern California. He holds a Master’s of Education degree and is currently a teacher credential program instructor. In addition, Kevin is the author of Cal Teacher Blog.
Kevin has just published a book of 50 essays about education. Buy it now.
But most importantly Kevin loves spending time with his wife and five children.
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Kevin Bibo
I am a teacher of elective classes. Some think the teaching of electives is easy. I teach a subject that students like to take, but I am a department of one and I write most of my curriculum alone. My pupils are not automatically enrolled; they have to choose the course. So elective teachers live and die by the number of students that enroll into their classes. Not enough students? No class. Yes, some students walk in enthusiastic and ready to learn. Others have a low expectation for the quantity of work they are required to complete in their elective.
It’s easy for an elective teacher to claim that school should be fun; we often teach “fun” topics. But why are they fun? Is multimedia fun by its very nature? Maybe. Or maybe it’s the teacher that makes it fun. Is English fun? How about Algebra? I believe it depends on the teacher, their attitude, and their approach to class. Notice I didn’t say the students. The students will react to the tone set by the teacher. The teacher must be passionate about the subject he or she is teaching, well qualified to teach students, and committed to their success.
These may be dark days in education, but I am optimistic. Budget cuts have lead to teacher layoffs, increased class size, and fewer teaching resources. Although we have grown to love our smart boards, LCD projectors, and computers in every classroom, the technology and visual aids are NOT what makes teachers great. Teachers have successfully taught throughout the ages without all of the extras that we currently enjoy. And students have learned. Sure it’s frustrating right now, and of course we’d like it to be different, but teachers will endure. We will continue to teach our students regardless of circumstances.
If I had to sum up my message to teachers in a paragraph, it would be this one. Invest in your students. Don’t just share your passion for learning, but infect your pupils with it. Teaching is the most important job in the world; and teachers change and improve the world. What we say to our students, how we treat them, and what we teach them in our classrooms has a deep and lasting impact on their lives. The words and actions of one teacher ripple throughout the classroom, and into the entire world. It is not an easy job.
sarareid
21 days ago
228 comments
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paulmah
3 months ago
76 comments
Thanks for the kick in the pants!
kbolman
4 months ago
34 comments
I have something that I hope will interest you.
I am creating the following website for teachers ahaafoundation.org is an Art History Course designed for use by students in school and for people going to countries other than their own.
People studying history at any level, school, college or for their own learning will find it content rich and full of pictures from every where in the world.
Please take about 10 minutes to check out the website and think about how you might use it in your teaching.
After that, it you have time email me at kbolmanahaa@gmail.com or call me in Honolulu 808 941-4242 or visit me here.
Warmly,
Katherine Bolman
ahaafoundation.org
tibu720
4 months ago
26 comments
I agree, Kevin. Great article. I am also an elective teacher. We have the power to make our class something students look forward to, or something they dread. Let's help make our students want to become life-long learners.