John Bimmerle has departed from teaching Algebra II, taking a new post as TAKS Coordinator. Leaving his class to a new teacher on Oct. 25, he has taken on the responsibility of lending aid to students of all grades who need help to pass the TAKS tests.
“At first I had no interest at all,” Bimmerle said. “[Then] I talked to Mrs. Barnes about it and pursued it.”
TAKS Coordinators focus mainly on helping seniors who haven’t passed the exit-level tests. Mr. Bimmerle also puts together reports in order to help a teacher improve students’ test scores and plans to find new methods for teaching the TEKS.
“I need to be a self-starter and look for new ideas,” Mr. Bimmerle said. “It’s not the traditional classroom setup, and it’s also a totally different focus.”
Mrs. Dionnica White, who will replace Mr. Bimmerle as an Algebra II teacher, enjoys the chance to start at a new place—she has arrived at a new campus with new students. The two teachers have talked, and it turns out they share some of the same teaching methods.
“I don’t want to send the class into shock [with the quick transition],” White said. “Once we get the hang of it all, it will be a great class.”
jack lascom • Nov 30, 2010 at 1:31 pm
i agree, the test is useless and i wish they would just drop it,
Casey Ross • Nov 29, 2010 at 8:39 am
Honestly I think they just need to get rid of the TAKS test. It is pretty much a test given at the end of the year to make sure you weren’t sleeping or in la la land in class. I think that they should just get rid of it because all the teachers could make a smaller version of the test and give it to the students. This way they do not feel pressured into passing and more students will graduate. I think that is one reason why some students drop out because they don’t want to have to take the TAKS and fail it so they can retake the grade.