THE FUN OF TEACHING HOW MONEY WORKS
January 24th, 2008, 1:59 am Hobby Shops
Reason for teaching: Straight from college, I was employed at IBM and then at Barnett Bank. However, I felt a calling to do something more for society. My wife is a teacher, so I got to see firsthand the fulfillment she got from teaching young people. I then enrolled at Stetson. Greatest moment as a teacher: I love teaching economics, because the greatest moments happen almost every day in the classroom. Economics differs from other subjects like English and math because students usually take economics only once. So, each day in class, instead of going over concepts that the students have been looking at for each year of their schooling, everything is new. For instance, students often come into the class with a little bit of knowledge, which can be dangerous. They may know that the dollar is weakening, but don’t understand what that means or what its implications are. It’s a thrill for me to be able to explain what “a weakening dollar” means and to discuss with the students all of the misconceptions that people hold regarding such terms. Economic literacy is tremendously important to survive in today’s world, and I’m able to assume a leading role in that goal. I am able to see my students understand what the Dow Jones Industrial Average is, or how supply and demand works — concepts they’ve heard before but never truly understood. It’s a very invigorating experience that makes it all worthwhile. Most embarrassing moment: I continue to be embarrassed by my own high school prom pictures. Back in 1987, I had the misguided belief that wearing a white tux with lavender cummerbund and bow tie was somehow stylish. I’m even mortified writing about it now. Least favorite part of teaching: My least favorite part of teaching is grading. It’s not even the work involved in grading all of those papers — it’s the borderline. It really does hurt to assign a student who earns an 89.4 percent a B (an 89.5 percent is an A), but it must be done. The line must be drawn somewhere. I wish I had the option of assigning a B+, because that would be a more accurate representation of their performance. It would also be a fairer way to grade, because as it stands now, a student who earns a 79.6 percent also earns a B. It’s not fair, but with the tools I’m provided it’s the best I can do. The person I admire most: Outside of my family, the person I admire most is Bono, lead singer of U2. He has a gift, and he uses it not just for the benefit of himself, or his fans, but for those who have the least in this world. Most Africans haven’t heard his music and may not even know who he his, yet he champions efforts to bring dignity to a continent that has long been ignored, if not exploited. Favorite movies: I love British humor. Four Weddings and a Funeral is absolutely hilarious. Last book you read: I am currently reading A History of God by Karen Armstrong, which has quite a different feel than the last book I finished, which was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling. Oddly, though, they are related through their spiritual issues. Hobbies: I am just learning to play and appreciate the game of soccer. I have the opportunity to play each Saturday night with my sons and a bunch of other dads and children at a local field. I had never really ever played soccer before, but it is a great strategic game that takes skill, dexterity, balance, practice and endurance. If you weren’t a teacher, what career would you choose and why? I love watching sports, so I’ve always thought that being a sports journalist would be a great job to have. Being a morning person, though, I very much prefer the schedule I have as a school teacher. So does my family. Was there a special teacher you remember? Two teachers I remember especially fondly are my sixth-grade teacher, Helene Shalotsky, at Kings Road School in Madison, N.J.; and my Madison High School economics teacher, William Chemerka. Mrs. Shalotsky taught me how to work and to strive toward my potential, while Mr. Chemerka served as a role model. I hope that I am able to excite my economics students half as much as he excited us about our studies. Christopher Weinrich was nominated by students Kerry Boehm and Holly O’Leary. Volusia public and private school teachers will be profiled throughout the year. E-mail Eileen Marie Simoneau at vteachspot@mac.com, call her at 386-561-7356 or fax 386-851-7918. Include your name, phone number and a reason why you would like to see this teacher profiled. PHOTO: Christopher Weinrich discusses economics with Seabreeze High students. It’s a subject they have one shot at. EILEEN MARIE SIMONEAU/SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL
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