So next time you curse a mosquito bite and wish for the pesky insects to be eradicated, think not just of the mosquito. Think of all the plant and animal species- both the beloved and the maligned- that create intricate webs of wildlife, with all the species dependent on one another for our planet to survive and thrive.
While the idea of a mosquito-free world sounds tempting, we need to think about the bigger picture. Mosquitoes, annoying as they are, play essential roles in our ecosystems. By focusing on smarter, more balanced ways to control them and improve our health defenses, we can manage the problem without causing unintended consequences. After all, every creature, even the pesky mosquito, has its place in the world.
It's not the money, it's the principle.
My father's words echoed in my mind as I stared at the bank statement. $10 missing. A small, almost laughable amount. But it wasn’t the money that gnawed at me; it was the fact that someone had the audacity to take it. I could almost hear my father's stern voice, reminding me that principles mattered more than anything.
I had $86,400 left, but all I could think about was that $10—what it represented. Someone had invaded my space, disrupted my sense of security. I couldn’t let it slide. My father wouldn’t have. He’d taught me to stand up for what was right, to never let anyone take advantage of me.
"It's not the money, it's the principle."
My father's words. Though I think he was talking about taking a loan, as in principal with an A L, but that doesn't really matter.
It was free to find out who the culprit was, the bank does that for you. Not to help you, but to know who to put on their hit lists, your gain is just an added benefit. But for a petty crime like stealing 10 dollars, the bank does nothing. Apparently their policy only applies to thefts of more than fifty dollars.
So I had to take matters into my own hands.
At the heart of my teaching philosophy is a commitment to student-centered learning. I believe that students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process, rather than passively receiving information. My role as an instructor is to facilitate this engagement by creating a classroom environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and collaboration.
I prioritize creating opportunities for active participation, whether through group work, class discussions, or hands-on activities that require students to apply their knowledge in practical ways. Creative problem-solving is a key focus in my classes; I encourage students to think critically about the problems they are solving and to approach them from multiple perspectives. This not only deepens their understanding of the material but also helps them develop important skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and perseverance.
When it comes to mathematics, it is important to me that the student is the one in the driver’s seat. There’s a common saying amongst math teachers, “Math is not a spectator sport.” The only way for students to truly understand math is for them to engage with it and make their own sense of it. I prioritize giving students time to try problems on their own as well as work with their fellow classmates. I encourage my students to use their creative freedom to solve problems in ways that I did not anticipate, allowing students a chance to experience math in a way that is meaningful to them.
Option A: Human
Option B: AI
Option A: AI
Option B: Human
Option A: AI
Option B: Human
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