22 5 / 2013
dont be mean
be median or mode
damn math fandom bloggers
shut up we have a good range of jokes
this is our domain
guys we’re forgetting the point of this post and going off on a tangent
Are you all done cos I’ve had enough of this by now
Damn math fandom bloggers
(via adventuresinemmaland)
22 5 / 2013
Four Hours Later
I’m still waiting for my heart to stop pounding.
I was riding the L train towards Carnarsie; I teach in East New York. At Broadway Junction, the train got really crowded. I was crowded around the center pole with a bunch of teenagers, mostly boys.
It started out subtle. One guy kept sliding his hand down on top of mine. I would just move my hand to another spot, it could just be a mistake. The train was crowded after all. But it kept happening. I moved to grab the pole by the doorway. One of his friends starts doing the same thing.
I ask “Dude, is there a problem? Why do you keep touching me?”
They all laughed.
They (4-5 teenage boys) proceeded to invade my personal space, grab at my arms, poke me, pull my hair, and call me names. White bitch. Cunt. Bitch. Bitch. Bitch.
I kept asking them to stop and moving around the train. They kept following me.
Of the 30+ adults on that train, nobody said anything.
No one helped me.
I practically ran out the door at Sutter Avenue.
On my way out one of them shouts “You good?” as he grabbed my butt.
I cried the four blocks to my school. Thankfully, I only had to teach one enrichment class today. I couldn’t have handled any more. I was too distraught to report it at the station then, but I did on my way home. Not that it makes a difference. A report isn’t going to change rape culture.
I just want to throw up.
Leah,
There aren’t any comforting words that I can give that relieve this. Notes of “hugs” seem empty when its a whole culture that is the problem. However, I can tell you how proud I am of you for reporting it and for writing about it here.
It is my understanding the reports of such incidents are reported even if nothing happens. When these are made publicly saying in the year 2013, x reports were made of _________ in (city here), the number is not representative of how often it actually happens. People that are “innocent bystanders,” say it isn’t that often that it happens. It isn’t a big deal, etc. By reporting, it is a record that it did indeed happen and it is indeed a big deal. The more reports, the better chance we have of getting the public’s attention.
By writing about this, you were brave and strong. I know that it is not easy for anyone to talk about something, let alone put it into written word. But you are showing other women and girls that WE are not at fault and WE should not be ashamed of ourselves.
You told your story, and showed people that you didn’t do anything to ask for it. That we can teach girls to avoid situations and speak up for ourselves all we want, but until we teach our boys not to do this — it will always be a problem.
Love you.
I am so so sorry. That isn’t enough, but I am sorry… and I hope you are able to be with people who bring you comfort today. :/
22 5 / 2013
I bet you did.
Did you estimate what mpg your car is getting? Did you figure out how many hamburgers you could get for six bucks? Did you think about how long it would take you to get somewhere given the speed and distance? Did you plan a meal so all the components would be done at the same time? Did you encounter anything on sale? Did you figure out how many groceries you could get for how much money you had?
There are about a million other daily, unconscious tasks that use algebra or at least algebraic thinking. Just because you weren’t writing out an equation or employing variables doesn’t mean you weren’t using the skills that algebra and other math courses taught you.
Science and math aren’t important because you’re going to need to know the exact steps of photosynthesis or the quadratic formula. They’re important because they teach you scientific and mathematical literacy and rational thinking, and that is sorely needed in a world where charlatans and cheats or people with a political or religious agenda can get away with all manner of pseudoscience and bullshit because people don’t have enough scientific literacy or critical thinking skills to accurately weigh the arguments or even discern where they fail logically.
So study math and science, and art, and literature, and history, and politics, not because you’re going to need it or it’s going to do something specific for you, but because an uninformed populace is bad for the world.
THANK YOU. I HAVE BEEN WAITING PRAYING FOR A GOOD RESPONSE TO THIS STUPID MEME.
(Source: n3on-nov3mb3rs, via girlcanteach)
22 5 / 2013
I really want to get a haircut…
But I have never gotten one in my new city since I moved last year… so I don’t know where to go that’s good.
20 5 / 2013
Also, it just started POURING outside.
I am supposed to go see an apartment in an hour. I was planning on walking.
Bus, perhaps?
20 5 / 2013
Going to observe at Middle School #1 next Tuesday.
That means my “timeline” is… interview with assistant superintendent on Friday, observe at school on Tuesday, go back to Minnesota on Wednesday, and make a decision on someday???
20 5 / 2013
Well, guys…
The interview is scheduled for Friday! Hopefully this is the last step before a job offer…
20 5 / 2013
Well then…
Email from assistant principal of Middle School #1 saying he hasn’t been able to contact one of my references…
Email from person I was trying to lease the apartment from saying her roommates aren’t renewing… which basically puts that one down the drains.
And you thought I was so close to having everything figured out, didn’t you?
19 5 / 2013
My dash that was once filled with #education is now filled with #educationdogs.
And I am SO jealous.
16 5 / 2013
TL;DR: In which I ramble about my two job choices… advice?
This post is more therapeutic for me than anything, but your advice would be greatly appreciated. I know it’s super long, but I’d really appreciate your input. <3
15 5 / 2013
How was there ever a time when I didn’t like strawberries?
I’m so happy that they’re “in season” again… meaning they are good at the grocery store.
15 5 / 2013
Somewhat inconclusive phone call with the principal of School I Student Taught At
Basically he said there will be a position (if nothing happens?) and that I mostly would have it (but still have to interview, etc.?)… I don’t really know what to make of that, but it was nice that he wasn’t pressuring me to be there, so I feel like I can make my own decision and still keep good relationships with the school regardless of what I choose.
15 5 / 2013
Good problems…
So I just got a call from one of my mentor teachers… she talked to the principal and told him that they’re going to lose me if they don’t act fast (since my friend who was student teaching there with me accepted a position already and my other cooperating teacher knows that I feel really excited about this opportunity at Middle School #1). She gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him today. She thinks that Middle School #1 would burn me out, and she reminded me that she originally turned down a job at School I Student Taught At and came back three years later… her words were, “Don’t be me.”
I know that once I talk to him, I’m not going to know what I want. This is a good problem, I know, to have two great schools available to me… But I feel like I am the most indecisive person sometimes. I feel like I am also very easily swayed. I also don’t feel like I can tell the principal the real reason that I may not want to be at his school next year - namely, the department. Don’t get me wrong… I think there are a lot of good things happening there. But there are also a lot of teachers stuck in their ways. There are many barriers to student success, and I feel like I just wouldn’t have a say in the department.
That’s why I feel like I am leaning towards Middle School #1. It’s not going to be perfect. There’s still going to be a lot of older teachers who don’t feel as energized about education as I do right now. But I feel like I would actually have a say in what happens in the math education there. A friend of mine is probably going to be in the 7th grade position, and together, I think we could do really powerful things for the school and the kids. (Plus we could carpool.)
Gaaaaah.
15 5 / 2013
The books that will move you, inspire you, make you cry, make you think, make you laugh. Are there any books that you would add?
I agree with most of this list.
Reblogging for my reference. I need a new good book to read. Even though I hate buzzfeed with a firey passion, I will look at this and appreciate it for what it is.
For future reference…
