Saturday, April 18, 2009

IN THE CLASSROOM THIS WEEK

From the Editor

I have lots of good things to report this week. I have a teaching job. I am the Educational Technology Specialist (that is a computer teacher for those of you who do not know) for a K-4 elementary school in one of the most sought-after school districts in the state of Missouri. My very supportive principal has encouraged me to continue my work in comic literature in the classroom with my 120+ students.

I also presented my graduate seminar paper (a thesis paper that is graded by one professor rather than a committee) this week. I turned in the 43-page hard copy to my professor and then I gave the oral presentation this morning to other graduates, my advisor, and two judges from another department.

I passed.

And so my friends and dedicated readers, I will walk in the graduation ceremony at the end of the semester with my Masters of Science in Education – Elementary Education degree from Missouri State University. I am excited and proud. The three-year journey was hard for my wife, my daughter, and me. They did not see me a lot and they put up with a man who barricaded himself in the office while they kept the house functioning. Bless their hearts.

I have every intention of publishing my seminar paper on this website, along with the PowerPoint I used this morning in my oral presentation. Blogger is strange about some formats, so I need some time to figure out how that works. Stay tuned.

This week’s reviews come from a graduate-level, special topics English class at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The instructor is Dr. James “Bucky” Carter of EN/SANE fame. He and his students graciously agreed to allow The Graphic Classroom to reprint the students’ reviews. Three of the students are teaching K-12 or are on track to do so soon. The others are more interested in the university setting.

So sit back, relax, and get ready to read some comic literature reviews by young, contemporary, or soon-to-be teachers. There are several of them, which we will reprint this week and next, so prepare yourself. Incoming!

To the list:

  1. The Dark Tower: The Sorcerer #1
  2. G.I. JOE: Cobra #2
  3. Marvel Adventures Superheroes #10
  4. The Stand: American Nightmares #2 (of 5)
  5. Super Friends #14
  6. Tiny Titans #15

4 comments:

Jim McClain said...

Congratulations and welcome to teaching!

Ben Villarreal said...

Congrats! And enjoy that "just finished thesis" feeling :-)

Kevin Hodgson said...

Hey -- great great news, Chris. Congratulations.
Kevin

Ole said...

Congratulations Chris, they're getting even more then they think they are. You'll stir things up and they'll ask for more I'm certain.

Now if I could only get you onto a real blogging platform...