Changes are a funny thing. Most of see that we are always and it is necessary for growth. However, we, or at least I, are very resistant to change. This is an emotion I felt last Friday.

I was giving my last exam to a small class of PreCalc students. They had struggled the entire semester, trying to learn the material. If I’m honest, I struggled teaching about a third of the material. I was hoping it would go smooth and I could get ready to start fresh the next semester.

However, it wasn’t meant to be. My department head came in the rather awkwardly (but that’s normal for him.) I followed him out in the hall. He asked me why one student had his computer open. I told him that he was using a scientific calculator. He told me that it wasn’t allowed. I calm said okay. I told the class to put all calculators away. I saw the calculator kid close his laptop, close his test and shut down his mind.

I was calm on the outside and livid on the inside. When the test concluded, I immediately when up to the new teacher mentor and ranted. She commiserated, listened and promised to talk to the department head.

I then looked online at the AP PreCalc testing statement. It pretty much said the test allowed students to use a scientific calculator for two-thirds of the test.

However, I calmed down and decided to view this as part of the learning curve at this school. I vowed to myself to do better in the future.

The Monday after the test, I had a long conversation with my department head about the philosophy of the department. On some points, he held his ground. On others, he was quite flexible. On still others, he was willing to listen to some of my compromises. I felt better about the upcoming semester.

I glad I was given time to calm down and open my mind. It’s all part of the growth process.