Are You Out of Your Mind

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Are You Out of Your Mind?

• A Brief Introduction to Mr. Ghent
• Including Reflections on Learning to Teach
• Winthrop University - 2005

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SWBAT

• Investigate Mr. Gs Personal History
• Justify Mr. Gs Education
• Analyze Mr. Gs Teaching Experience
• Evaluate Mr. Gs Philosophy of Teaching
• Discuss Mr. Gs Goals for the Future

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My life has been a journey.
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I came into this world screaming!
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Humble beginnings
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Ive always been a philosopher.
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My Intellectual Peak 2nd Grade
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My dog, Max, was one of my greatest teachers. He
taught me to enjoy life as it comes, and to
appreciate the little things.
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This is where I used to live.
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This is what I used to look like.
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Ive refilled the water glasses of a lot of
influential people.
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My First Class
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I loved those maniacs.
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I am building my own house.
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(No Transcript)
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Oh, Ive gone to a lot of schools

• Finley Road Elementary, SC
• Somewhere in Oakland Elementary, CA
• Parkmead Elementary
• Stanley Jr. High
• Acalanes High School
• Diablo Valley College
• UCLA
• UC Berkeley
• San Francisco State University
• Brooklyn College, NY
• Winthrop University, SC

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What Professors at WinthropHave Said About Me

• Overall, I dont know how to grade this. Dr. V
• Damn! Good/ eccentric/ fun/ unconventional/
  crazy/ articulate all over the place and
  WONDERFUL! A(-) some conventions must be
  observed. Dr. M
• Fascinating to follow your thought process I
  will put this in my folder of things I look at
  when I get discouraged. Youve been wonderful in
  class and inspiring. Dr. G

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What my supervisor has said about me

• D-
• If you are rebelling for the sake of rebellion
  (flaunting it) its a sham. Only someone who has
  been through the ropes and effected change by
  sticking with it has a right to be arrogant!
• I truly enjoyed the class as usual, you gave a
  powerful AND significant lesson You were very
  effective they clearly were into the readings
  you have them in the palm of your hand.
• You know your strengths and weaknesses, but you
  also flirt with disaster through flamboyance-
  entertaining, engaging behavior at times,
  egocentric at others- behavior that can zap
  your plans for a teaching career in the wrong
  place.
• Oh, no! Theyre turning into Bryan clones!
• You are making a difference in their lives,
  whether you realize that or not.
• I believe you challenge them to think This is an
  A job!
• The bricks in that wall are softer than your head.

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In the Words of My StudentsLancaster HS
(Positive)

• You talk to us and not above us.
• I enjoy our discussions in class. I find them
  very productive. I think youre doing a great
  job. I really enjoy your teaching.
• You make class interesting. I actually listened
  to what you had to say.
• I like how you brought other things like art,
  videos, and music into our discussions of
  literature.
• I really appreciated the lesson on Marxism, and
  the way you included students in Hamlet. You
  relate things to us.
• I think that you are a great teacher. Keep doing
  what you are doing. Your teaching is very
  effective.
• You do so much more than just stand up front and
  lecture. Continue to involve us in discussions.
• I like that you let us express our thoughts, and
  youre really nice.
• Youre great. You ask a lot of us, though Im
  lazy, its good.

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In the Words of My StudentsLancaster HS
(Negative)

• You babble too much.
• Get off subject a lot, but its okay we still
  love you.
• I think that when you assign a 50 word paper, 50
  words shouldnt get you a C.
• I dont like how you seem so open-minded in your
  views its like where are your morals?
• The discussion on Post Modernism (Secular
  Humanism) was offensive. I respect that these
  views exist, but I will not have them pushed on
  me in the classroom.
• What are you wearing?
• I dont like the fact that you cant be here more
  often.

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In the Words of My StudentsLewisville HS
(Positive)

• All ways interjetic about everything.
• I liked the pace we worked at. Your fun, good
  attitude, kept us fairly entertained.
• Kept us moving in the work, and really didnt
  seem to tolerate anybody trying to get away
  without doing work.
• Great teaching. Really makes sure everyone
  understands a subject before we move on. Funny.
• I like how you tried to incorporate your life
  stories and lessons into our lessons.
• You dont just correct our papers, you tell us
  what you thought.
• The way you act toward us. You are a very nice
  person and you are funny. Im glad that you came
  to our school and I got to know who you really
  is.
• I could relate to you and you could relate to us.

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In the Words of My StudentsLewisville HS
(Positive cont.)

• You seem very enthusiastic and positive about
  what you teach. Youre also kind of funny. I
  really enjoyed what you added to class.
  Seriously, you didnt bore me all semester.
• Can make light of things even when people are
  being buttholes.
• You did a brilliant job of relating the work to
  us. You made the class enjoyable through your
  insights and highly personal style.
• The way you teach makes me want to learn.
• A good thing about Mr. Ghents teaching is that
  he can take an ordinary subject and make it
  interesting beautiful. He knows how to grab a
  students attention from a mere sentence. He will
  be an impeccable teacher Also, he allows students
  to feel comfortable getting to know him while
  always remaining professional.
• Youre cute.

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In the Words of My StudentsLewisville HS
(Negative)

• Sometimes it seemed like you really didnt want
  to be here.
• When someone has aggravated you, you get an
  attitude.
• Although I personally loved your sarcasm, I can
  see how it could be a problem for some people.
• Sometime boring But its english how can you
  make it exciting?
• A bad thing about Mr. Ghents teaching hmmm
  cant really think of one. He started out being a
  bit too easy on us, but gradually got better.
  (can you believe I actually admitted that?)
• Youre not staying here.
• You talk too much.

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Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

• My goal has always been to develop good critical
  thinkers and good citizens.
• Learners arrive at new understandings and
  insights through exploration and discovery.
• Process is more important than product (its the
  journey, not the destination).
• The teacher should explore material with the
  students as if learning it for the first time,
  not handing content to them from on high.

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Goals for the Future (Humble)

• Teacher of English at South Pointe High School in
  Rock Hill, South Carolina.
• Produce staggeringly original motion pictures
  that redefine art and existence for the 21st
  Century.
• Write the great American novel, which though
  unappreciated in its time, will be recognized as
  pure genius by subsequent generations.
• Make all the girls who ever dumped me regret
  their foolishness.
• Found a school for mutants and save the world.
• Achieve immortality through the success and
  accomplishments of those I teach.

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Thank You for Your Time and Attention

• I look forward to working with you in the
  future.
• - B.R. Ghent