Tomorrow will wrap up the first week of the 2011-2012 school year. This school year is my 7th teaching, and I often wonder just how far I've come in the classroom. I know that in many ways I still lack the wisdom and experience of those noble enough to stick to this for 20+ years, but I have managed to shake off the "newbie" feel and trust myself more to do what is best for my students.
I was so well prepared for this week that I have felt zero stress. Lesson plans were completed, copies were made, the classroom is sporting a brand new white board and bulletin board and hardwood stage. Much to my surprise, I even received two new computer carts filled with brand spankin' new MacBooks. Maybe 7 is the lucky number? Or maybe I've racked up a ton of Good Teacher Karma?
Teaching is truly my passion. Believers say that God has a vocation in mind for each of us and we only need to pay attention to find what that is. Well, I'm a believer and there is no doubt that the talents God gave me are meant for the classroom. When I was 8 and in the first grade, I dressed as a teacher for Career Day. Who does that? ME! I L-O-V-E everything about teaching high school (I've even come to tolerate the insane amount of paperwork)!
Perhaps this is why I shudder when I pass a classroom that is eerily silent or where the teacher is yelling at the students for not having a proper notebook organized in a desired way. I understand that sometimes "sit and get" is a necessary way to educate, but if we ever expect kids to start thinking on their own we've got to allow them to take ownership in their learning. Otherwise all they'll know is how to absorb information but never process it. Honestly, as long as a kid can produce his necessary work/supplies, I'm okay if he doesn't keep a three-ringed binder with dividers. I hated being forced to do that in high school because my brain doesn't think like that. You want to teach me organization? Let me misplace something important once, express your disappointment in me and how I've let you down, then watch as I find my own way to keep up with my work. The kids who don't care whether or not they disappointed the teacher are the same ones who aren't going to keep a notebook anyway.
What's the point? Well, I don't think anyone should be allowed into a classroom unless s/he takes great joy in helping those students reach their potentials. Only doing it for the summers off? Get the hell out because I hate you. Only doing it because you didn't get into med/law school (actual profession of choice)? Get the hell out because I hate you. Only doing it because you're lazy and figured any organization that advertises with a billboard reading: "Want to teach? When can you start?" must be promoting a job a wind-up monkey could do? Get the hell out and pray to God you never run into me in a dark alley.
Please don't misunderstand. I know that sometimes the above reasons are how people stumble into teaching and realize that they found their true calling. I am an alternative cert teacher because my major in college was not in Education (I'm a believer in secondary educators majoring in their subject matter). My beef is with the ones sticking it out for the above reasons. Life is too short and all they're doing is screwing up students. Many of my friends are passionate, hard working educators who always fight for what's best for their students (especially when the state continues to pass absurd regulations because the politicians making the decisions have zero classroom experience). It's an insult to them and to me to have to work along side people who clearly despise their job or couldn't care less about the well fare of the kids.
So in honor of my superhero teaching crew, I give you Taylor Mali. Many of you have seen this before, but please feel free to enjoy it again:
I'll continue to fight the good fight because I know I'm not alone.
*This post is dedicated to the students who are like my husband. A man who was punished in middle school for attempting to "incite a riot" with the following song:
You are the type of student that keeps me lovin' my job!
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