Not everyone in America got to see the McGlothlin Foundation documentary titled "Bringing the World to the Classroom" that Blue Ridge Public Television aired on Tuesday, September 25th. I think you should see it, so if you want to take a break, here's the streaming link:
http://www.blueridgepbs.org/index.php/educate/mcglothlin-awards-for-teaching-excellence
(You'll find a box where you can click the play button and expand the screen.)
When I saw this program last week, it became a wake-up call. After a month of feeling like I couldn't be creative, innovative, and design lessons that my students need me to provide, I have decided to do what I know is right--to return to the way I love to teach.
You see, I love my work and the students who come to the "Bat Cave." Seeing the documentary was both emotional and convicting. Some angel has played my heartstrings, and I feel like I'm out of the fog.
And since I am going to rejoice in my work despite the bashing and the politics that dominates education these days, I will blog regularly to share thoughts and ideas with others who want teachers to give kids the world, to inspire teachers who feel caught up in the chaos outside their classrooms, to keep to the positive side of what may transpire. What is more, if education is to have a future, this blog needs to inspire young people to become teachers when there are other careers that cost less for licensure, pay more in salary, and never lose the respect of the public and politicians.
It will make me happy again to see everyone excited about coming to English class, to see them respond to what they thought they were going to get because everybody in the community knows Mrs. P "goes outrageous" and brings cool lessons to school each morning. This, of course, flies in the face of the regimentation of curriculum area and state-wide. I've chucked the cookie cutter kit I was given this summer, and I've tossed all the sprinkles that were supposed to make my kids shine. I don't want to be an bureaucratic baker that turns out factory spec cookies. I'm going back to homemade flavor, secret recipes, and helping kids become individuals who can think critically despite standardized education.
There has been so much teacher bashing taking place in the news, on legislative floors, in the grocery store, on talk shows, at ballgames, in church, and plenty of other places I won't bother naming. At first it made me incredibly angry, and then the changes were delegated to school systems, to administrators, and then to teachers. The last month has been spent trying to document everything I do so I will be designated an exemplary teacher, rather than an adequate one. The term "adequate" has the connotation that a person only does what one has to and nothing more. The idea of having my name punctuated with such an identifying marker is like receiving a big fat "F" on an exam final that you studied for all through the semester so you knew all the material as well as you do your name, address, and birth date! To be honest, I spend about 10 hours a week documenting my worth using an online system that assumes teachers only know how to type in little boxes and upload an attachment. It's frustrating and demeaning, certainly not why I teach. But I have to do it anyway, which means I've had to spend a lot of time making an inflexible template work for my special needs.
http://www.blueridgepbs.org/index.php/educate/mcglothlin-awards-for-teaching-excellence
(You'll find a box where you can click the play button and expand the screen.)
When I saw this program last week, it became a wake-up call. After a month of feeling like I couldn't be creative, innovative, and design lessons that my students need me to provide, I have decided to do what I know is right--to return to the way I love to teach.
You see, I love my work and the students who come to the "Bat Cave." Seeing the documentary was both emotional and convicting. Some angel has played my heartstrings, and I feel like I'm out of the fog.
And since I am going to rejoice in my work despite the bashing and the politics that dominates education these days, I will blog regularly to share thoughts and ideas with others who want teachers to give kids the world, to inspire teachers who feel caught up in the chaos outside their classrooms, to keep to the positive side of what may transpire. What is more, if education is to have a future, this blog needs to inspire young people to become teachers when there are other careers that cost less for licensure, pay more in salary, and never lose the respect of the public and politicians.
It will make me happy again to see everyone excited about coming to English class, to see them respond to what they thought they were going to get because everybody in the community knows Mrs. P "goes outrageous" and brings cool lessons to school each morning. This, of course, flies in the face of the regimentation of curriculum area and state-wide. I've chucked the cookie cutter kit I was given this summer, and I've tossed all the sprinkles that were supposed to make my kids shine. I don't want to be an bureaucratic baker that turns out factory spec cookies. I'm going back to homemade flavor, secret recipes, and helping kids become individuals who can think critically despite standardized education.
There has been so much teacher bashing taking place in the news, on legislative floors, in the grocery store, on talk shows, at ballgames, in church, and plenty of other places I won't bother naming. At first it made me incredibly angry, and then the changes were delegated to school systems, to administrators, and then to teachers. The last month has been spent trying to document everything I do so I will be designated an exemplary teacher, rather than an adequate one. The term "adequate" has the connotation that a person only does what one has to and nothing more. The idea of having my name punctuated with such an identifying marker is like receiving a big fat "F" on an exam final that you studied for all through the semester so you knew all the material as well as you do your name, address, and birth date! To be honest, I spend about 10 hours a week documenting my worth using an online system that assumes teachers only know how to type in little boxes and upload an attachment. It's frustrating and demeaning, certainly not why I teach. But I have to do it anyway, which means I've had to spend a lot of time making an inflexible template work for my special needs.