Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Get To Know The Staff - Mr. Poux


 So what I'm thinking is maybe this is the best experience at a job
I've ever had. It just seems that everything ever experienced,
good,bad,ugly- every job in my life has culminated in this wonderful
experience. Intensive training in theater arts with a bit of
Psychology for good measure from Carnegie-Mellon University. Some good
years in New York City, some great years in Atlanta, and a whole new
life here in Charlotte; teaching, working with disadvantaged,
tutoring, even opening a cupcake-froyo shop. 

All of these, all of these dreams fulfilled have led me to the ultimate fulfillment. This experience at Trinity Prep, a gift of absolute charm. Working with these individuals, teaching them various textures of life; some
history,  lots of literature,and being able to share a passion of
mine, drama. Not the drama of life going crazy. That hides in my silly
brain and imagination. But the historic part. Historic and artistic.

The stuff that speaks truth and makes us dream and cry and pledge a
goodness beyond what we can fulfill. The things I teach level the
field, most importantly teach both me and the young men and women
that...well... we are good, we are bad, but Oh, we are complete. I
love watching these students growth experience themselves and Truth
throughout their theater experience. So far away from growing up in
Akron Ohio, being here in beautiful Charlotte, I must admit if I can
reach any other dream in this lifetime, I would request a Super Bowl
for the Cleveland Browns.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Get To Know The Staff - Mrs. Ennis

Hi everyone!  I have been teaching for nearly ten years.  I started teaching back in 2007 but took a few years off from 2013-2017 to pursue a different career.  However, the teaching profession called me home.  I teach because I love helping students unlock their potential through education.  I love when students get new things and are excited about what they can accomplish.

I did not start out on a path to teaching.  As a Biology major, I always leaned toward medicine or research.  In fact, my previous graduate studies were in Microbiology.  It was at East Tennessee State University that I figured out that I was a bit too social to live in the lab.  However, as a graduate teaching assistant, I discovered a love for teaching.  So, I shifted gears and used the lateral entry program to gain a teaching license in North Carolina.

I consider myself a life-long learner.  I am currently finishing up a dual Masters of Public Health/Masters of Business Administration program that will be completed in December of this year.   So, this semester, I am a full-time student, a full-time teacher, and a full-time mom.  I do not have much free time.  However, when I do get it, I love spending time with my son, reading, traveling, baking, and napping.  Yes, napping.  There is a napping contest somewhere in the world with my name on it.

I used to enjoy running, and I completed a half marathon in 2016.  I hope to get back into running after school is finished.  I would like to get back to running 5Ks and 10Ks.  I am not sure if I want to do another half yet.

I am an avid UNC Tar Heels fan.  I spent some of the best years of my life in Chapel Hill.  Chapel Hill will always have a special place in my heart.  I also enjoy watching the Carolina Panthers.

This past summer, I was able to take my son to Disney World for the first time.  That was a fantastic experience, and he loved it!   He was excited about getting on an airplane for the first time, and he is already looking forward to his next trip to anywhere.  Though, he really wants to go out of the country.

I came to Trinity in January of this year, and I absolutely love it here.  I love that I get to teach science to students rather than teaching to a test.  I love that we can explore student interests and make science real for them.

Monday, November 5, 2018

Get To Know The Staff - Mrs. Neal

My fellow readers, you are witnessing (reading) history right here - my first Blog!  When asked to write this, my first thought was, why would anyone want to read the ramblings of a math teacher?  What could I possibly have to say? Who would want to listen/read it?

Well, first let’s get one thing straight, I do numbers, not letters as I tell my students all of the time - thank goodness for spell check.  I will apologize right up front for the lack of eloquent writing, that gene went to my younger sister, but do enjoy writing in a non-formal way.

As I began to contemplate my theme and delivery, I asked myself what I would want to take time out of my crazy busy day to read, something upbeat and maybe a little funny or something serious and dry.  (I opted for the first option if you can’t tell yet).  I’ve always felt that humor makes things flow a little nicer and the day a little brighter.  You must be able to laugh at things in life, and sometimes that means laughing at yourself.

Which brings me to my theme…math and humor.  Now, I know for most of your children, these two words don’t show up in the same sentence.  For most, the words are math and tears,  or math and anger, or math and frustration.  Which is precisely why I add as much humor to my classes as possible.  Developing a report with the students is always my priority which then lends itself to being able to joke with them and make them smile.  In a classroom setting for a subject that for many is intimidating, it is helpful if the teacher is not intimidating too.

I am, unfortunately, experiencing this first hand with my own child’s math teacher who when we met last week to discuss his difficulties in her class, looked like she has eaten a lemon before our arrival.  (I know, a math teacher’s child is having trouble in math - we can talk about that later) The thought that he has to walk into this classroom every day, into a subject that he actually used to like, just breaks my heart!  She is killing this subject for more than just him, I’m sure.

So, it has always been my pledge to make math fun and meeting with this teacher last week made that drive even stronger. I knew from a very early age I wanted to be a math teacher, and my passion for the subject is something I have always wanted to share.  To transform a student from a math-hater to a math-lover is always my goal.  So, how do I accomplish this?

For some of your children, math comes easy to them, so I have very little work to do “on them.”  For those children who would rather have a root canal than sit in a math class, I have my work cut out for me.  Those are the children who have my heart - the root canal kids!   Know that this is a process for those students and there is usually some negative aspect of math that I have to undo.  Finding humor in some of the smallest ways - usually a movie quote “you’re killing me Smalls,” can bring a smile to their face and hopefully less anxiety in a subject that has historically been a root canal situation for them.  Oh, to never have a root canal again - that is my goal for them!

Avoiding the summer slide