You hear it all the time, "location, location, location." Lately I have been thinking about this phrase as it relates to my teaching future. I'd like to start today's REFLECTIVE WRITING out with some thoughts about "location" (I guess that would be obvious my looking at my title). I hold such high esteem for the west suburban schools that I grew up in, and to contribute to that area as a teacher is something I am very interested in. However, when I learn about urban city schools and the need they have for strong teachers and the development of strong programs, I wonder if it is my calling to teach in St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Chicago. Talking to Danny Lee has really put into perspective the inbalance of resources that inner-city schools have in comparison to suburban ones. "Do the thing you think you cannot do," you sometimes hear. Teaching in a familiar environment where I can learn through modeling how to teach effectively would benefit me a lot early on in my teaching career. But what about the notion of "flooding," being tossed into an experience without anything but your own resources to help you? What if on the first day of teaching you walked into a wild classroom that was behind academically to their peers? What if you were the one who needed to revolutionize the school and turn the student body around? I think of movies like Sister Act and Lean on Me and the amazing work that teachers are capable of.
I actally had a discussion about this with my friend Ryan at lunch yesterday. I'm going to cite parts of our conversation for my INTERVIEW section. He told me "there is no doubt in my mind that I am supposed to live and work in the Iowan Midwest when I'm older." We talked for a while about having this mind-set of wanting to stay where you are comfortable. "Is it close-minded?" we wondered. I know that I want to stay in the suburban suburbs of Minneapolis to teach. But would it be worth it to see the world and experience different atmospheres before deciding on the ideal? Ryan said there is something romantic about moving all over the country or world to experience and learn and grow. But is it fair to say that remaining where you grew up to build a career and a family is boring? I look also to the director of Nordic, Dr. Craig Arnold. He worked at Luther in the 1980's, and left for the East coast for fifteen years before returning again to the top post. Should teachers be able to build their program (and I'm talking specifically music teachers here...) elsewhere before they return to their ideal location? These are the thoughts that have been running through me lately. OK, finally we'll go to my INTERNET SITE REVIEW. I visited nea.org, the website for the National Endowment for the Arts. I read a lot about No Child Left Behind legislation in this website, and their call to reform the laws relating to education. As future teachers, all Ed Psychsters need to be informed about NCLB and how it will affect their jobs and their students in the future. I know I don't know enough about NCLB to have a strong opinion. Here's what I have observed. Most teachers do not support the law- why is this? My boyfriend, a College Republican and a conservative, claims that teachers do not support the legislation because teachers become more accountable and are under more pressure to deliver results. My opinion on it is this: why wouldn't teachers want their students to succeed? Why wouldn't they want to deliver top notch test scores and successful student reports to their states? I can't name a teacher who doesn't want this. I think the problems arise when testing and standardization become the MOST important thing in a school system. Standardized testing is not everything. Also, fun fact. Under the current expectations for the law, did you know that every school in the United States will be labeled "failing" by the year 2012? Food for thought. Ciao.
Oh PS- I went to a phenomenal poetry reading by Carol Gilbertson. Her language and her words really spoke. NOW I know the woman on the main page of the Luther webpage! Does anyone know any symptoms of a stress fracture? (Quite the subject switch, but I'm worried and wondering).
1 comment:
Dear Marie,
I've really enjoyed reading your blog entries, both personal and professional. I'm so proud of your acceptance into Nordic! You must be beside yourself with the thought of this summer's international tour. My thoughts are with you as you continue to think and ask questions about becoming a teacher. I remember thinking about the same kinds of questions when I was studying to teach. Where? was definitely something I wondered about. Initially, my place of teaching was not somewhere where I felt "completely comfortable" right off the bat. It is normal to feel vulnerable or afraid in new surroundings. But within a few years of my first job, my program had strengthened and I felt very comfortable in the place I worked. I found through experience that this takes patience and effort, to make a place your own. I have little doubt that you will be a fabulous attribute to an urban or suburban school district, a question you allude to in your web journal. You also discuss in another entry the subconscious learning that goes on in a classroom. Although I do not profess or preach, I try to set a good example of Christian morals and responsible behavior. I hope that my colleages and students would respond to my classroom attitude as respectful and fair, not necessarily pushing a certain religion or agenda, by any means. I think it is very important for educators to help develop self-esteem in the classroom. Giving individual praise and individual constructive criticism I have found to be a helpful teaching tool. When I highlight individuals, they become more likely to actively participate in my classroom, either to avoid criticism or to "go after" praise. Please email me soon and let me know how things are going! It was again, lovely to read your education journal. R
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