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Comment More Mathematics (Score 1) 197

Why not get a masters degree in mathematics (non-Ed)? While taking classes in higher mathematics you will encounter problems where you can apply your programming skills. And since you're a math teacher, taking more mathematics classes will make you a better mathematics teacher (yes, I know this is generally considered false). Also, it will improve your career opportunities in mathematics. Even if your current job is great, people in the real world get jealous of smart people and try hard to derail their success, ESPECIALLY in the education world.

Comment Re:Why single out Whole Foods? (Score 1) 794

There is one well-done study I read, which has yet to be corroborated (I haven't checked recently), which suggests an association between nitrites and Alzheimer's. ("Diabetes of the brain" is the term they used--do a Google search.) I'll never give up bacon, but since Trader Joe's sells nitrite-free bacon, which is cut better, tastes better, AND is cheaper than the $6/lb in grocery stores (Los Angeles), why in the world would I buy cured bacon when researchers are beginning to suspect nitrites?

Comment Vim (Score 1) 445

I use vim -x passwordfile.txt. It uses Blowfish encryption. You only need the -x flag when you create the file. I keep it on one computer at home, only, with a hardcopy (lots of index cards) in a desk drawer. If I need it on the road I temporarily copy required passwords on a USB thumb, encrypted. It's not an enterprise solution, but I'm just one person, so it works OK. Actually, I refer to the index cards way more often than the password file.

Comment Re:Pffft (Score 1) 723

Cities like Birmingham and Atlanta are different. The ground surface temperature is warmer, so any amount of snow generally melts and converts to ice quickly. The people up north don't know/understand this, so they make ignorant comments to feel superior.

Comment Re:It'll work if you want to suceed (Score 1) 397

May I ask a favor? Could you please bring this racial curiosity to the attention of the school administration so you or they might recruit one or two non-Asians to participate in your program? You could teach this class for years with no black/white/Hispanic students participating, but why not set a personal goal of getting just one or two non-Asians to participate every year? You don't have to move mountains, just don't let the students decide their fate so early. Helping one interested student is enough (as a start :)

I used to teach a summer school in math in Koreatown (Los Angeles). All the students were Korean, and they all refused to participate on their school's math team because "they're all Chinese nerds with coke-bottle glasses." I'm black, so I was a little shocked because I never saw this in real-life before (Asians being intimidated by other Asians). Alas, I ignorantly grouped Asians together. Anyway, black, white, and Hispanic students experience the same intimidation. They need a little push to get over it.

Comment Re:Why? (Score 2) 231

In a word, funding. A school district might provide iPads for every student, while many teachers curiously have to provide their own paper for making photocopies. The "technology and shit" budget for K-12 and community colleges is infinite in comparison to budgets for basic fundamentals. If you want to get sustained funding for any program, it may help to disguise it in buzzwords like "innovative" and "21st century". Unfortunately, a lot of bullshit gets in this way.

Comment For Americans: James Baldwin-- any nonfiction (Score 1) 796

His statements about race relations sound fresher than anything you will ever hear today. If listening to discussions about race tends to give you a headache, try to read as much (non-fiction) James Baldwin as you can. You may still get a headache, but at least you finally get to hear it straight. And it may lead you to reading his (and others) important fiction books.

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