Jed Wolpaw, TAC, High School History

THE FACTS: Jed grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland - he proudly represents the Midwest with resounding victories in intra-class euchre games. He majored in US History at Brown University and began to cheer vociferously for Brown's squash team before spending a year abroad in Costa Rica. Now at the Graduate School of Education, Jed warns, "come in ready for a tough but rewarding year of work. And always be willing to ask a professor for help or to do a different project if it relates more to your interests." Jed also reports liking the Cambridge-area, except for the regularity with which his car gets towed.

Jed is student teaching at South Boston High (Southie). "I love working with kids and I think good teachers can change the world by helping kids realize that they can make a difference. Teachers can make all the difference in the world -- whether it is a good or bad difference depends on the quality of the teachers."

THE INSIDE SCOOP: "I have learned so many little tricks and ideas that I couldn't possibly name them all, but here's one: Never confront a kid who is misbehaving in front of the class if you can at all avoid it. Find a way to put it off until after class, then deal with it in a one on one situation. Most importantly, realize that these kids are kids, and when they misbehave, it's not because they hate you, it's just because they are teenagers, and few teenagers actually like school. Find a way to make them like it, and many behavior problems will disappear. The most effective classroom management technique is an engaging curriculum.