By way of introduction, my name is Rob McGowan, and I have a lot of hair. I am going to cut it all off for the Canadian Cancer Society. The above picture was taken Good Friday, April 6, 2007; as you can tell, my dog Bruin is thrilled that her master has more hair than her, what with her 'why the hell am I posing with you' look.I am a teacher with the Vancouver School Board; have been since 1993. Working in the adult education division is very liberating when compared to working in a traditional school, especially given the student base. Immigrants, drop-outs and street kids fill the classrooms, so one has to be a different type of teacher. 
Despite the fact that I teach electives, I have a high student retention rate, and take great pride in the fact that 100% of all eligible students vote in elections that take place during their term. I learned long ago that I don't need to be a positive role model; many students in adult education are already so set they don't need me to guide their lives...or so messed up they aren't yet ready to listen. But I go far by just being a positive influence. Being myself, giving them respect without sounding preachy, and being a teacher that understands their situation or is willing to listen to them about it is far more effective in an adult ed setting than wearing a suit and trying to act like a dad.
Despite the fact that I teach electives, I have a high student retention rate, and take great pride in the fact that 100% of all eligible students vote in elections that take place during their term. I learned long ago that I don't need to be a positive role model; many students in adult education are already so set they don't need me to guide their lives...or so messed up they aren't yet ready to listen. But I go far by just being a positive influence. Being myself, giving them respect without sounding preachy, and being a teacher that understands their situation or is willing to listen to them about it is far more effective in an adult ed setting than wearing a suit and trying to act like a dad.I started the blog as a way to update the people who want to know about such things as to how the effort is going. As a person I've interacted with many times over the years said to me, "There's no reason you can't do your own fundraiser." So I decided to turn the negative into a positive. Goodbye Nat Bailey haircut; hello haircut on the last day of school.
In weeks hence, I will provide information about sponsors willing to do the deed, update on whom is willing to step up to the plate with donations, and provide personal thanks for said assistance by way of this website. Off the top, thanks go out to the Canadian Cancer Society for being so easy to work with.
June 15 is the day, and bald will be the look.
Rob
perge!
1 comment:
Hey Rob, why don't you auction off the rights to be the shaver on eBay?
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