Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Positivity
With all of the drama going on in the field of education currently, a professor recently reminded me that all of the drama cannot be changed, but what can be altered is our attitude. So the next time you feel like complaining, try "lacing up your boots, and getting to work" because it is the children we are fighting for. Such a helpful reminder during this time of change. Thanks, Dr. Roberts!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Values
In class yesterday we began discussing educational values. We went from talking about the individual concepts that we, as individuals, desire in education to the overarching themes instilled within the souls of students enrolled in teacher courses at local universities. It really made me think. Have all of the teacher education courses I've endured valued the same thing in education?
Overall, the three universities I have attended, although very different, have held one core value. They have shown future educators and administrators to not loose sight of the most important thing in education- the students. If they were trying to instill within me a different value, it may not have stuck due to my real life experiences. Whether they were nihilist, theist, or any other belief, it rarely affected me in my education.
Unfortunately, there are only a few classes that have any sort of lasting affect on me during my education coursework. These classes are the ones that dealt with diversity, a concept I see negated all too often in our public schools. I have also been inspired by the fellow students in my classes. I'm in awe of the variety of people I encounter, and yet, we all agree that education needs to be altered.
No matter what the concepts are that I value in education, I will always place the students in the center of my actions.
Overall, the three universities I have attended, although very different, have held one core value. They have shown future educators and administrators to not loose sight of the most important thing in education- the students. If they were trying to instill within me a different value, it may not have stuck due to my real life experiences. Whether they were nihilist, theist, or any other belief, it rarely affected me in my education.
Unfortunately, there are only a few classes that have any sort of lasting affect on me during my education coursework. These classes are the ones that dealt with diversity, a concept I see negated all too often in our public schools. I have also been inspired by the fellow students in my classes. I'm in awe of the variety of people I encounter, and yet, we all agree that education needs to be altered.
No matter what the concepts are that I value in education, I will always place the students in the center of my actions.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Then vs. Now
In the 1980s teachers were never sensitive to the fact that there were students in their classrooms that did not believe in certain holidays. In a school of around six hundred students only one or two students might be sent to the office to help, while the rest of the school enjoyed singing Christmas songs in their central gathering place. Unfortunately with the economy the way it is currently teachers are having to not only be aware of students that do not celebrate holidays, but they are also reminded that their students may not enjoy the holidays because they will not be receiving anything this year. It is sad to note this, but many teachers are faced with whether or not to share their joy for this time of the year with their students. Is it right to act like a hum-bug because students may not share in your joy? There are a lot of students that don't care for my Auburn football team, but that doesn't stop me from wearing the team jersey I own, or singing their praises. I don't do this because I live, eat, and breath Auburn football, but I do this because I know in my heart that it might actually entice a student to go on to college if they see the love I have for my alma mater.
As a Christian, who knows that it is wrong to indoctrinate students while at school, I feel like I should be encouraged to share my joy for this time of year with the students, but unfortunately something is holding me back. When will sharing diversity with our students once again be okay?
As a Christian, who knows that it is wrong to indoctrinate students while at school, I feel like I should be encouraged to share my joy for this time of year with the students, but unfortunately something is holding me back. When will sharing diversity with our students once again be okay?
Monday, November 15, 2010
What is Greatness?
In the teaching field there are so many things that equate to a "great" teacher, but I feel like those things are being overlooked due to the changes that are constantly going on in our field and the increased expectations being placed on teachers. Please don't get me wrong, or think I am a "negative Nancy" that doesn't enjoy change. In fact, I absolutely love change, besides I would have to since my husband is in the military and we have moved twice in the past year.
Last week as I was singing at the funeral of one of the most incredible teachers I have ever experienced, both in the classroom and out, I found myself questioning my own teaching abilities. One of the most touching parts to the celebration of the life of Ms. Sarah Bayrd, was when they played one of her famous lessons over a loud speaker. Of course it was chilling that Ms. Bayrd's voice was being played at her own funeral, but it made me question what I would leave for future generations to remember about my teaching. Sure English is not as exciting as a tub of spam, and no I'm not referring to junk emails, but I'm sure there is something I could instill within my students.
No matter what the expectations are placed on me as a teacher- whether it is from the administration, parents, myself or even the state- I hope that I will never forget the impact Ms. Sarah Bayrd had on my life as not only a person, but as a teacher. She taught me what it means to truly inspire students beyond what they realize they can accomplish; she was always at every sporting event, even if she had a stack of papers beside her; but most of all she taught me to enjoy my personal life while also being the best teacher I can be. You will be missed Ms. Bayrd- thank you for being my teacher.
Last week as I was singing at the funeral of one of the most incredible teachers I have ever experienced, both in the classroom and out, I found myself questioning my own teaching abilities. One of the most touching parts to the celebration of the life of Ms. Sarah Bayrd, was when they played one of her famous lessons over a loud speaker. Of course it was chilling that Ms. Bayrd's voice was being played at her own funeral, but it made me question what I would leave for future generations to remember about my teaching. Sure English is not as exciting as a tub of spam, and no I'm not referring to junk emails, but I'm sure there is something I could instill within my students.
No matter what the expectations are placed on me as a teacher- whether it is from the administration, parents, myself or even the state- I hope that I will never forget the impact Ms. Sarah Bayrd had on my life as not only a person, but as a teacher. She taught me what it means to truly inspire students beyond what they realize they can accomplish; she was always at every sporting event, even if she had a stack of papers beside her; but most of all she taught me to enjoy my personal life while also being the best teacher I can be. You will be missed Ms. Bayrd- thank you for being my teacher.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
One Nation Under...
Tonight as I found myself reading a friend's profile message, I was reminded of how frustrating moving is when you are a teacher. Over the past three years, my husband and I have moved three times due to his career in the military. Luckily for me though we only moved from Clarksville, Tennessee to Columbus, Georgia and then back to the state of Tennessee. With towns like Clarksville, Tennessee and Columbus, Georgia you may have guessed that my husband is in the Army. Teaching in military communities has caused my eyes to be opened to a situation that many people do not normally care much about unless they are nomads or are well-educated on schools around our great nation.
While teaching in Clarksville, Tennessee, a parent came in for a conference while he was home for his two weeks of leave from Iraq. This particular parent met with me so that he could be reassured that his son would be able to compete with his peers if they were reassigned to a base in another state, like Alaska. Knowing that our standards are not the same, that was something I could not promise him. It actually reminded me of when I transitioned from Cobb County, Georgia to Williamson County, Tennessee. All of a sudden I knew all of the answers, and felt as though the material had already been taught to me. I now know that I had this feeling because the standards were not alligned, so I may have actually already been taught the material I was being taught in Tennessee although I was in a new grade level.
A push in education is to have national standards. Many people oppose this way of micromanaging, but as families become more transiant, and certain jobs cause people to move around a lot, I feel that it is one of the only ways public schools can maintain consistency which allows students to grow and compete with one another no matter how long they have lived in their current town.
The other side of this debate is whether teacher licensing should be nationally mandated. Although I am not crazy for the federal government having their hand in too many things, I feel that this would be a great way to allow teachers to be certified to teach the same things. For instance, in Georgia I taught 8th grade and every subject. However, when I moved back to Tennessee the two years of experience I had teaching Social Studies, Science and Math did not equate to Tennessee adding those endorsements on my licensure in Tennessee. In Georgia my primary area of hiring was English/Language Arts, but I taught one class of Science/Social Studies and a remedial class of Math. Of course Social Studies is my favorite class to teach, and I can't teach it in Tennessee unless I take a test and pay more money. How frustrating!
While teaching in Clarksville, Tennessee, a parent came in for a conference while he was home for his two weeks of leave from Iraq. This particular parent met with me so that he could be reassured that his son would be able to compete with his peers if they were reassigned to a base in another state, like Alaska. Knowing that our standards are not the same, that was something I could not promise him. It actually reminded me of when I transitioned from Cobb County, Georgia to Williamson County, Tennessee. All of a sudden I knew all of the answers, and felt as though the material had already been taught to me. I now know that I had this feeling because the standards were not alligned, so I may have actually already been taught the material I was being taught in Tennessee although I was in a new grade level.
A push in education is to have national standards. Many people oppose this way of micromanaging, but as families become more transiant, and certain jobs cause people to move around a lot, I feel that it is one of the only ways public schools can maintain consistency which allows students to grow and compete with one another no matter how long they have lived in their current town.
The other side of this debate is whether teacher licensing should be nationally mandated. Although I am not crazy for the federal government having their hand in too many things, I feel that this would be a great way to allow teachers to be certified to teach the same things. For instance, in Georgia I taught 8th grade and every subject. However, when I moved back to Tennessee the two years of experience I had teaching Social Studies, Science and Math did not equate to Tennessee adding those endorsements on my licensure in Tennessee. In Georgia my primary area of hiring was English/Language Arts, but I taught one class of Science/Social Studies and a remedial class of Math. Of course Social Studies is my favorite class to teach, and I can't teach it in Tennessee unless I take a test and pay more money. How frustrating!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Blogging at Last
Although I have often been known as the "tech-savvy" teacher in the schools I have found myself privileged to work, I have rarely felt the need to blog. However, this summer a friend of mine, well, quite a few friends actually, began blogging. When I find myself with time to surf- in between my frequent Facebook and email log ins- I have actually really enjoyed reading about the things that they find relevant in their lives. With education constantly changing, I thought that blogging would be a great way for me to focus on the positive changes that are taking place, instead of the negative. As with all change, things often seem worse when they are first introduced than when they are actually implemented. Currently educating the lives of seventh grade students at my present location, I know that public schools in Tennessee are about to undergo more change in one year than they have seen in ten all together, thanks to the Raise to the Top funds we are receiving from Obama's colleagues in Washington...and I can't wait.
Well, I hope people will check back often and leave messages on their thoughts and any knowledge they may want to share so that this can be more interactive than the website I maintain with my students! Happy Educating!!!
Well, I hope people will check back often and leave messages on their thoughts and any knowledge they may want to share so that this can be more interactive than the website I maintain with my students! Happy Educating!!!
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