The past year+ has been organized chaos (which is something I need to get used to as a future educator). I've learned so much from my vast experiences these past few years and, as I'm about to head into student teaching this August, I'd like to start my blogging process (again) by sharing some of those bits with you!
Teaching is not a job. Teaching is a work.
job1
jäb/
noun
- 1.a paid position of regular employment."jobs are created in the private sector, not in Washington"
- 2.a task or piece of work, especially one that is paid."she wants to be left alone to get on with the job"
verb
- 1.do casual or occasional work."a jobbing builder"
work
wərk/
noun
- 1.activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result."he was tired after a day's work in the fields"
- 2.mental or physical activity as a means of earning income; employment."I'm still looking for work"
verb
- 1.be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result, especially in one's job; do work."an engineer who had been working on a design for a more efficient wing"
Dear teacher person, whoever you may be, be consistent, but do not be a robot. Your kids need to see an authentic human being in front of them. They need to know that it is okay to struggle and to grow and to learn and to apologize. They need to know that success is different for each person. They need to know that it's okay to be unsure, but it's not okay to not try. They need to see a real, live human being that they can rely on NO MATTER WHAT. They need to know that they can approach you even in the most humiliating circumstances. You are their safety for a whole year. Safety they may never experience again. I do not take this lightly, nor should you, dear teacher. So, whoever you are, be authentic, be available and be excited to be their teacher. Being their teacher is not your job, it is your work.
The experiences that will shape you as a teacher are not exclusive to the classroom (or prof. development days or methods courses). The experiences that will shape you as a person are not exclusive to your personal life.
Your entire life will shape you as a teacher, just as being a teacher will shape your life outside of the classroom. Every experience is a learning opportunity, whether good or bad (unless you are a numb, zombie-ish human being...not sure what to tell you there). It's up to you to actively learn from your experiences and apply what you have learned.
It is also your responsibility to understand that you are crossing paths with a very lovable bunch of young souls. Think about it...if you have thirty students and those thirty students have two parents or adult people in their lives, that's ninety people you are connected to right off the bat! Add to that all of the RTI students that will enter your room on a daily basis, siblings of your students, family and friends in the community, etc., and you will quickly realize that you aren't just standing at the front of a classroom...you are standing on the stage in front of an arena of people that are listening and watching and learning from you.
Your students ' lives will be shaped by your classroom and their own life experience will follow them through that classroom door every morning. Make sure they leave your classroom at the end of the day with good things in their minds. Likewise, make sure that they know that your classroom is their safety zone; that they aren't just entering into someone else's territory, but that they have ownership of THEIR classroom. Students need to know that they can drop their burdens at the door and be safe; some may need to drag those burdens through the threshold of your classroom door and right up to your desk. It is your work to figure out what those precious souls need.
The only seemingly consistent characteristic of education is that it is constantly changing. Education is progressive by nature. We are always moving- sometimes it doesn't seem like we are moving forward, but we're moving. As a teacher, and even as a parent and a student and a community member, you MUST be okay with the fact that education is constantly morphing. Otherwise, you need to go find a nice, big rock to hide under. It does not help anyone involved to stand on the sidelines barking at those who are fulfilling their obligations (according to law, standards, principles, what/whoever) the best way they know how.
In my beginning years as an educator, I would LOVE to see more grace for educators, principles, and support staff from people in general. I'd love to see parents calm down and understand that teachers are not law makers; if they were making laws, they wouldn't be in the classroom teaching your child. And I assure you, they are fighting for your children in more ways than one. I'd love to see the millions of passionate people out there fight for their cause on an appropriate battle field. The classroom is no place for political positions, causes or hype. A classroom is a place where students and teachers work towards learning. Calm down. The pendulum WILL swing the other way. And it will swing right back again later on. Support your teacher and schools, understanding that these are the people who dedicate their lives to your children and our future, despite the circumstances.
Well, folks, that's all the ranting I have for you today. My goal is to upload a blog once per week while students teaching...so here's to hoping I can master some self-discipline and get this thing rolling again!
Much Love,
Miss Laura
It is also your responsibility to understand that you are crossing paths with a very lovable bunch of young souls. Think about it...if you have thirty students and those thirty students have two parents or adult people in their lives, that's ninety people you are connected to right off the bat! Add to that all of the RTI students that will enter your room on a daily basis, siblings of your students, family and friends in the community, etc., and you will quickly realize that you aren't just standing at the front of a classroom...you are standing on the stage in front of an arena of people that are listening and watching and learning from you.
Your students ' lives will be shaped by your classroom and their own life experience will follow them through that classroom door every morning. Make sure they leave your classroom at the end of the day with good things in their minds. Likewise, make sure that they know that your classroom is their safety zone; that they aren't just entering into someone else's territory, but that they have ownership of THEIR classroom. Students need to know that they can drop their burdens at the door and be safe; some may need to drag those burdens through the threshold of your classroom door and right up to your desk. It is your work to figure out what those precious souls need.
Excuse the lack of eloquence here, but...
Do not get your panties in a wad (or shorts in a bunch- I see you, male teachers!) when things change!
The only seemingly consistent characteristic of education is that it is constantly changing. Education is progressive by nature. We are always moving- sometimes it doesn't seem like we are moving forward, but we're moving. As a teacher, and even as a parent and a student and a community member, you MUST be okay with the fact that education is constantly morphing. Otherwise, you need to go find a nice, big rock to hide under. It does not help anyone involved to stand on the sidelines barking at those who are fulfilling their obligations (according to law, standards, principles, what/whoever) the best way they know how.
In my beginning years as an educator, I would LOVE to see more grace for educators, principles, and support staff from people in general. I'd love to see parents calm down and understand that teachers are not law makers; if they were making laws, they wouldn't be in the classroom teaching your child. And I assure you, they are fighting for your children in more ways than one. I'd love to see the millions of passionate people out there fight for their cause on an appropriate battle field. The classroom is no place for political positions, causes or hype. A classroom is a place where students and teachers work towards learning. Calm down. The pendulum WILL swing the other way. And it will swing right back again later on. Support your teacher and schools, understanding that these are the people who dedicate their lives to your children and our future, despite the circumstances.
Well, folks, that's all the ranting I have for you today. My goal is to upload a blog once per week while students teaching...so here's to hoping I can master some self-discipline and get this thing rolling again!
Much Love,
Miss Laura
