Tips for surviving high school chemistry teaching in CA

CHED 32

Kathleen E. Turner, kturner@cv.k12.ca.us, Science Department, Castro Valley High School, 19400 Santa Maria Ave, Castro Valley, CA 94546
When I began my public high school teaching experience 9 years ago, the science department chair commented, "this job is about conservation of energy... yours!" We teach 5 classes of 30 to 35 students each. With this work load, it is imperative to have a system. I'll share my strategies for the following: discipline (both student and parent), keeping your stockroom, finding funds, being the only chemist, dealing with papers and more papers, making good use of lab assistants.