Educi 502/ Organization of Schools
7/18/11
What does it matter? What is important from the first four chapters of, The Flat World and Education, but Linda Darling-Hammond?
After reading the first four chapters of, The Flat World and Education, I really felt completely downhearted. I was feeling like why am I a teacher? Why do I even try? Why does this have to be so hard? I was contemplating all of this after reading the history, the data, the stories and the facts of current education in the USA. I guess one of the reasons I was dejected was because I teach in an area of high poverty and ELL students. Some of the schools described mirrored mine a little in the unhappiness of the facts. Despite the particulars of the system, I still love being a teacher. I love coming to work each day and I embrace the challenge of working with children in high poverty areas. I feel like I make a difference in their lives. I feel like I do matter, even though some of the stories made me feel down and out. Even though, I’m bogged down by testing, AYP jail, low salaries, high poverty, the Luna laws and much, much more, I still feel like I’m in the perfect place for me.
During class, when we were doing our introductions, Beau was talking about taking the training wheels off of our comfort zone of our teaching style. I loved that comment and have been thinking about it the rest of the day. I have been teaching in a first grade classroom for three years and I loved my grade level. I felt very comfortable there and confident in my teaching. This coming school year, I will be moving to third grade. This wasn’t a decision that I have been overly happy about. After hearing the comment of taking the training wheels off, I have felt much better about this move. How this relates to the chapter, I’m not sure, but I guess it goes back to the question of why does it matter anyway? I’m trying new things and new approaches, even though all the evidence in the book shows how discouraging our system currently is. We can still improve and try to be unique and creative in all our own little pockets in the education world.
Tonya, I understand how you can feel about being “down and out.” I feel the same way you do-it’s tough dealing with all the hoops we have to jump through sometimes. Just know that what we do truly does matter! Congratulations on your new 3rd grade position, you will do a great job!
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