It’s the second May Bank Holiday here in the UK and the kids are on half term break. In your country, do schools have a ‘Half Term’ break?

Google is my friend:

“In the UK our academic year is split into three ‘terms’ that are separated by long holidays – Christmas, Easter and Summer. Half way through each term, schools break for a shorter time – usually one week, sometimes two. These shorter breaks are called Half Term.”

The U.S. does not have country-wide standards for education. In a single state you can have public school systems on different schedules as each local board of education sets their own school calendars. Some systems offer year round options (with more frequent breaks but without the traditional 2.5 month long summer vacation) so schools within that same district follow different calendars. Throw in private schools, charter schools, and homeschool families and it’s a mosh pit of scheduling over here.

In America the majority of post-secondary education students (community college, university) have begun their summer break. Most elementary/middle/high school students will wrap up and go on summer vacation in the next two weeks or so.

Education methods have changed a lot since I left school in 1972. Would you like to be learning in a classroom of today?

That’s an interesting question. I like that there seems to be a greater appreciation for different learning styles — less focus on rote memorization, more on multiple ways to reach the correct answer — but that’s really the best I can say. The psychological effects of learning in a high target shooting environment is really all the ABSOLUTELY NOT energy I need for this question.

Did you leave school as soon as you could, or did you go on to study for a degree or other higher education?

I went to college. My university had an option that allowed me to earn both a Bachelor’s of Arts and Master of Teaching degree in a five year program.

When you entered the working world, did your job require ‘qualifications’ or did you learn on the job?

I started work as a special education teacher for elementary school students with learning disabilities. It required a teaching degree. I’d argue the program itself provided plenty of on the job learning since every year they had us working in classrooms as student teachers. You never really feel fully ready to face your first I’m-a-real-teacher-now moment but college did its level best to prepare me.

Gratitude:

Freshly washed bath towels, a beautifully scented candle, good friends, delicious food, and the boost from a few hours of gentle sunshine.

Pensitivity101 hosts Share Your World.