Teaching Minds, Touching Hearts

As I have mentioned in my previous blog, I have a lot of stories to tell. And this one is dedicated to what I have been experiencing at work.

To remind y'all, I've been working at Sylvan, Inc. for more than 8 months now, and I have been teaching a LOT of math, everything from basic arithmetic to pre-calculus and even basic calculus. I've also been teaching science: earth science, chemistry, biology, and physics. I've even tutored a college student in college chemistry 2.

Well, let me say that I've encountered a very diverse set of students. Some are very troublesome, and I would suspect them of having a psychological disorder of some sort, such as ADHD. Some are hardworking geniuses, and then some are fairly smart kids who only do enough to pass, when they can actually do more.

One thing that I have realized is that each of my students have their own personality, and their own pace and style of learning. One of them, for example, hated his teacher, and was practically misunderstood. He says he gets all F's in school. But as I work with him, he gets all A's when I give him exercises. What made the difference? I guess some students need to be understood and accepted for who they are, before you can force some serious information into their minds.

I sometimes am amazed at how I have been able to sympathize with my students. I guess the best attitude is to consider the best out of people, not the worst. Some students are highly talkative. They would rather talk about their favourite band, or how their teacher hates them than learn. I let them be, for the most part, but at the end of the day, I guess listening to them and communicating with them is an essential part of teaching them.

I was saddened to know that one my students, the one that gave me a brownie before (see my previous blog entry), had quit. He is the one who gets F's in school but A's with me. I am saddened that he has been misunderstood, and that he could do better, if only given a different way to learn things.

I sometimes share my frustrations with my Boss, and she always says that as long as I've done my best, then it will probably make an impact, no matter how little, in the lives of my students. For me, the ultimate goal is to inspire these students to do their best as well, and to open their minds to the world at large.

I've never imagined that teaching could be so tiring and challenging yet awe-inspiring. I never imagined that I could actually follow in the footsteps of St. La Salle. With my experience in Sylvan, I guess I have developed an affinity for teaching as an occupation (but I still know that I can do much more by having a career in medical research). Perhaps in the future I will find myself in front of a class (most likely college students), and not only teaching them science, but also touching their hearts and inspiring them to explore the world as they have never done before.

Back in the Radar

It's been two weeks since my last blog entry, and I haven't been in touch with a lot of people. You see, final exams do that to you. Coupled with work, which has become more stressful, I end up arriving home feeling really exhausted. I'm often thankful that at least I could talk with my housemate, Thomas.

But now finals are over. And perhaps it has made me too much of a zombie that I seem to be having a delayed reaction for the summer break. I don't feel so free. Maybe it will hit me sooner or later.

I have news to tell.

I am now fully classified as a MS Biology student in CSUN. Previously, I have been taking classes as a postbaccalaureate - unclassified student. Now I have more privileges. I have a feeling that finishing this masters program will be the best way for me. But I'm always open to changes along the way.

I am now cementing a masters thesis project with University of Southern California's Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, as part of the Cancer Cause and Prevention division. In a nutshell, I will be doing a population-based Genetic study of Testicular Cancer.

For the summer, however, I wasn't recruited as an intern for the National Institutes of Health, mainly because I had no connections except through my professors, who also did not have personal contact with any of the investigators who are doing research in Cancer Genetics. I am still trying to contact City of Hope however, since I know the director of Clinical Cancer Genetics, but I am not too sure about having an internship with him for the summer.

If I don't get an internship, then I will start working on my thesis. I didn't enroll for summer classe (mainly because they don't offer graduate classes in the summer).

So that's news.

I have more stories to tell, especially about work. But I shall reserve that for next time. I'm not too busy for the next few weeks, so I'll have a lot of time to blog.

Yet another display of my emo-ness...

So I wrote another song and that actually lightens me up. I miss writing songs and I have just reacquainted myself with my piano. This song may be emo, but I'm quite satisfied. So, enjoy.

Evening Rain

By J. Charles Lacson

The stars are not shining tonight,
They can’t compete with this darkness inside:
The heavy storms in my heart,
Shall thunder out to you.

The sad moon is too shy to show,
The light that carries my truth, my sorrow:
The heavy words in my mind,
Shall find their way to you.

As the rain pours down ruthlessly,
The cold of the night drains me easily,
The chaos locked within me,
Shall reach out far for you.

And as the evening rain comes down,
In my emotions you shall drown,
And as you condense, you tear away,
And I shall reach out for you.