Mr. Brody Weston, 30, McKinley High School Algebra, Statistics, and Agricultural Sciences
1. What’s your education background?
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from CSU Sonoma State University, where I got my double major in Animal Sciences and Applied Mathematics and a minor in Dance. I finished my credentials in Nevada, and became licensed to teach Mathematics and Agricultural Sciences in the state of Ohio in 2009.
2. How many years have you been teaching? Did you work at any school districts before Lima City Schools?
I’ve been teaching eight years, since 2008. I acted as a substitute teacher in Sparks County, Nevada, before moving to Ohio and taking a full-time position in the Agricultural Sciences staff (and later Mathetmatics and Music) at McKinley, where I’ve been a teacher for seven years.
3. What brought you to Lima? Why have you stayed?
A change of pace and a close community feeling, Lima’s been good for me, and I’ve developed good roots here. I’m proud of my kids and happy to help them find their way to the next step in their life.
The first answer is complete bullshit, but he’s not going to talk about his family or personal problems to parents, and it doesn’t matter anyways.
4. What extracurricular activities are you involved in or serve as a faculty supervisor? What drew you to said activities and why? Are there any ways in which you’d like your students and/or parents to be more involved?
I’m currently acting coach of the McKinley Dance Team, The Red Hots, as well as the director of the colorguard alongside Mrs. Ramirez for the marching band. I also act as Staff Advisor for McKinley High School’s FFA. I always simply ask my kids, no matter what group they’re part of, to give me the respect of commitment by coming to meetings and doing their best. I also come in early and leave late, so my door is open for extra help.
As for parents, communication with both your kids and me is the most basic thing I ask. Whether it’s special needs, allergies, or how they can do better, a little back-and-forth can go a long way. Both Dance Team and Colorguard use “Den Moms” for overnight trips, since we do have separate hotel rooms for girls and guys, and if anyone is skilled with a needle, we could always use more help in costuming, as we customize our uniforms for our performances yearly. In FFA, we’re always looking for chaperone help in our numerous field trips and activities, as well as new opportunities to look into, from wineries to ranches to processing plants. Trust me, no matter how much you think you lack skill, we can always use another adult around the group. And there’s usually a free meal involved, if you’re looking for extra incentive.
5. In the classroom, how do you engage or deal with a disruptive student?
I’m pretty simplistic with my disciplinary actions. You get a warning, and then you get a referral to the principal’s office. If your student has trouble keeping focus around a specific student, they can either come to me and I can separate them, or if it becomes an issue, I will separate them on my own. I don’t tolerate cursing, threats, or fighting, and any sort of bullying, shaming, or harassment is grounds for detention.
This school also has a No Cell Phones in class policy. I allow the phones to stay on in case of emergency except for tests, but if I catch your kid using it, I have what I like to call “The Confession Box” -- similar to what you’d find on a reality show, the offending student is obligated to sit in the booth and read the entire conversation into a video camera. This punishment is used to keep from disrupting other students’ work. The ensuing video is something I work with the AV Club with to create a bit of a web series that is posted on YouTube in varying intervals, though it is kept entirely anonymous besides the offending students.
6. It means the most to me when the parents of my students______.
Take an interest in their kids’ life. Learning goes beyond this classroom: I only get these kids for forty-five minutes. If you want your child to succeed, you need to encourage them and be part of their world. Ask them about their day, about their homework, about their classes and whatever they do besides that. Kids with involved parents are less likely to skip school, less likely to fail their classes, and more likely to go on to college. And I want that for every kid that comes through that door.
7. Do you think it’s appropriate for teachers and students to be friends?
I think there’s a difference between friendly and friends. I’d like all of my students to feel comfortable approaching me and talking to me about whatever they’re having trouble with, but at the end of the day I’m a person they need to respect and follow directions from. I hope your kids have friends-- people that get them and deal with drama and hang out on the couch doing nothing. But I think it’s more important that I remain an authority figure that they can depend on to give them structure and stability, even if it makes me uncool.
8. How do you feel about parent/teacher conferences? How should a parent schedule them?
I want all of my kids to succeed, so if you want to collaborate and work together to help your kid get wherever they’re going, I’m definitely supportive of that. That said, recognize that parent/teacher conferences only work to an extent-- the two of us cannot force your kid to do anything more than he or she wants to. If you look at the paper I handed you, you’ll see I do have a pretty full schedule, especially in the fall-- however, if you contact me, I am definitely willing to make an effort to fit you in and help you out. I also have my e-mail attached if that sort of communication works better.
9. What is your stance on bullying? How do you deal with and prevent such behavior?
Bullying in the adult world is known as harassment, and it is considered illegal in all fifty states. If a student is focused on bullying, there is no way they’re going to be able to properly focus on class. As I stated earlier, all forms of threats, leering, objectification, and shaming will not be tolerated in my classroom. If a student feels uncomfortable with their seating arrangement, they are encouraged to talk to me to see how we can help them. There are also policies in place that involve disciplinary action to curb that behavior, which I am obligated to report if I see it happening or am informed about.
I admit, I am not a counselor, so attempting to prevent bullies from happening is difficult. All teachers are obligated to look for certain signals, signs of aggression within students, and we have counselors that are specially trained to attempt to help them deal with whatever circumstances are causing them to project out.
As extra-curricular activities are a privilege and not a right, I expect all of my teams to treat their peers with respect. All FFA, Dance Team, and Colorguard members are required to sign a contract of understanding that they’re acting as a representative of McKinley High School, which includes an anti-bullying clause. If they’re found violating their contract, I have the authority to remove them from the team.
10. What are ways you could improve as a teacher?
As a teacher, I’m always looking for ways to gear my courses toward the students to help them succeed. New experiments, new techniques. I want to start collaborating, not just with other teachers here at McKinley, but also with the colleges nearby to try to give the students a glimpse of what’s next. In Ag, we’re hoping to expand our chicken flock to more eco-friendly grazing methods, and maybe expand out some our our crops. I’m hoping that with some work we can start incorporating some of the kids’ ideas into more assignments, to motivate them to do more.
William McKinley High School || Class Schedule || Brody Weston
After-School Schedule:
FFA || Year Round || Agricultural Sciences Class (7th Period); 3:30-4:30 pm Second Thurs Monthly
Marching Band (Colorguard) || Fall Season ||5:00-7:30 pm Mon-Fri
Dance Team || Winter Season|| 6:30-7:30 am Mon-Fri; 5:00-7:30 pm Wed
Course Descriptions:
Algebra || Algebra provides a formal development of the algebraic skills and concepts necessary for students to succeed in advanced courses. In particular, the instructional program in this course provides for the use of algebraic skills in a wide range of problem-solving situations. The concept of function is emphasized throughout the course. Topics include: (1) operations with real numbers, (2) linear equations and inequalities, (3) relations and functions, (4) polynomials, (5) algebraic fractions, and (6) nonlinear equations.
Pre-Algebra || Students who do not achieve sufficient knowledge and skills in mathematics prior to McKinley, or receive a failing Algebra grade, will be assigned to Pre-Algebra, which takes the basic algebraic skills and concepts at a slower pace. Passing Pre-Algebra allows students to receive credit for Math A and repeat Algebra for additional credits. Any students placed in Pre-Algebra may opt to test out at the beginning of the class and move into the regular Algebra course.
Statistics ||This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP Statistics Exam. Students may receive college credit through successful completion of the AP Statistics Exam. AP statistics is an advanced mathematics course in which students will study and analyze surveys and data. This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP Statistics Exam. Students will receive college credit through successful completion of the AP Statistics Exam.
Agricultural Sciences (elective) || Ag Science is an introductory life science course for students interested in agriculture science and the National FFA Organization. This course offers a look at the agriculture industry, the National FFA Organization, scientific methods, classification systems, principles of ecology, cellular structure & function, as well as the basic principles of genetics & heredity as it pertains to Agriscience. FFA leadership activities, SAE projects and Vocational Agriculture Record Books are a required part of this course offering.
Animal Sciences (elective) || A closer look into the inner workings of ranch life, this course focuses on the care and nutrition of various animals in the Agricultural Industry. Nutrition, husbandry, and basic veterinary tools will be studied as the class navigates different utilizations for different species. Some specialty farming practices will also be examined, including Organic and Eco-friendly techniques.
Extra Curriculars
Dance Team (Winter)
A competitive squad with a lot of spirit, Dance Team incorporates technical work and jazz dance styles in our routines. Besides performing for school events, we also compete at a regional, state, and national level. To excel at their highest level, Coach Weston utilizes his schedule by incorporating cardio workouts and strength training into three of the five daily meetings, while focusing solely on technique and routine during the night rehearsals. Though Coach Weston requires complete dedication from his team in order to compete, he works to be accommodating toward students with additional academic and athletic obligations.
Marching Band-- Colorguard (Fall)
Working alongside Director Ramirez after school with the marching band, Mr. Weston coaches the Colorguard in a myriad of displays using dance, flags, sabres, and rifles. Besides musical support to the school, the group also competes throughout the season in both field and parade shows. Try-outs are held every fall for captain and auxiliary squad, though anyone can sign up to be part of the colorguard team. Attendance for rehearsals and performances are mandatory, though both Mrs. Ramirez and Mr. Weston are willing to work with students who have other academic and/or athletic obligations.
Future Farmers of America (Year Round)
As per its mission statement, the McKinley High School FFA “makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.” Weston helps his students achieve this through competition, fund-raising, and community service and awareness events. The FFA has meetings during the Agricultural Science class located in Mr. Weston’s room during seventh period, as well as official meetings once a month after school Thursdays; however they are also known to gather in Mr. Weston’s classroom during Study Hall and Lunch, when the door is always open to them. If taking Agricultural Sciences, attendance to official meetings and events are incorporated as part of the final grade, although otherwise is voluntary.
