ch. (1.1-4,1.11-13)
1.1
I have a vision of myself as a fantastic teacher. I want to teach students not only the content material that they need to know but also how to use the resources available to them. I want my students to develop and fine tune critical thinking skills. I want to capture my students’ attention by having a variety of learning materials, so they don’t have to learn everything from lectures and textbooks. I want to have my students learn how to work in groups as well as by themselves. I want my students to learn to respect each other and follow the rules that are set for them. I will be honest with my students and let them know that I am there if they need help or need to talk.
1.2
Love(ing) children means being there for them when they need someone. Loving children means caring. Loving children means having boundaries and structure.
Want(ing) to help students means learning. Both students and teachers need to learn (knowledge, self, and about each other). Wanting to help students means opening their eyes to possibilities. There is more to life than what is in front of you.
Another reason I want to teach includes enjoying the material that I teach. I want to pass on my knowledge and share my passion of science.
1.3
Loving children will sustain me if I am strong and don’t let the system wear me down and I keep my boundaries and structure.
Wanting to help students will sustain me if I continue to learn with the students & realize that I can’t help every student.
Another reason I want to teach includes will sustain me if I incorporate a variety of techniques in my curriculum and make it interesting for my students.
1.4
The similarities between Darling Hammond & 1.2 are that I want them to learn and acknowledge that there is diversity out there and we can learn from it. The differences are that I didn’t mention as being a teacher to be prepared for diversity. I talked about having boundaries or rules. I didn’t state anything about using students’ backgrounds for teaching strategies. I talked about caring for my students and letting them know I am there.
1.11
Dale Spender’s new interpretations
I believe that Dale Spender’s interpretation is that we couldn’t rely on men to talk or put together women studies. In “men’s” eyes it was perceived as no problem. This could have been the norm at the time. Many studies are of white males. Since no studies were available women had to get it going.
1.12
The main purpose of schools is to have a place where students can gather to learn about book knowledge, to socialize with a variety of people, and learn to work together.
This purpose relates to or serves a diverse society because students are able to work with a diverse group of people. While spending time in a diverse group the students will learn patience and learn knowledge that will hopefully carry them through life.
This purpose relates to or serves a socially stratified society because people come from all walks of life and when in a social community it allows people to learn from each other. Students will choose to which direction they want to go but hopefully they will take the knowledge that they have learned with them. It can help bridge gaps in society and lessen any fear that people may have or preconceptions.
The implications of what I wrote above for the work of a teacher will be to have students work in groups. Teachers need to help students work through problems that they may have and to learn tolerance, patience, and respect. Teachers need to integrate multicultural material into the curriculum so students can experience different cultures and to relate to the material that is given.
1.13
As a teacher I envision myself teaching students to work together in learning knowledge, having tolerance and respect for each other. I also want a variety of material to keep my students interested and I expect my students to work. I will be honest with my students and expect them to follow the rules that I have set and the school has set.
The one thing that added from 1.1 was tolerance.
I think you bring up a great point with the teacher being very influential and present in the students lives. It is important to remember we will help many students, but just as many students will not want to be helped. Although the student may not want to be helped I don't think we should write them off. I have had many students that put up that front and after trying and trying and trying I finally made an impact with that student-athlete. I think that was more gratifying for me than the students who are more easily supported.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that schools are a great way to bring in diverse students into the same place. However, if you are working in an non-diverse community the classroom can be expected to be less diverse. In such case, it would be more difficult to denounce preconceived notions if the students don't have first hand experience with difference cultures. I think this will be difficult to overcome with teaching.
Thanks for bringing up great ideas!
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI like how you said that you want show your students HOW to use the resources available. I think so often teachers or librarians tell their students what the resources are, and where to find them, but not how to effectively use them!
The same thing goes for what you said about critical thinking. Teaching kids to develop critical thinking is different than helping them fine tuning those skills.
Being honest with your students is something I believe in as well. Trust and Honesty are two virtues I try to keep at the center of my life.
One advantage that you have on most of us, is that you are a mother. A beautiful thing that gives you much insight into the minds of young people. I like how you said that loving students means setting boundaries and having structure.
I also think it is important that as teachers we must be realistic that we will not be able to affect every student that comes into our classroom. We can only try our best.
Having a socially stratified community is important because I think we often learn more from observing those around us, than if someone is lecturing at us in the front of the room.
Finally, three things you mention as important to teach students are tolerance, patience, and respect. I think that patience is sometimes overlooked as an important quality. Especially today with technology so fast and encompassing in our lives, learning patience is definitely something to make a priority.
I appreciate your sense of learning being more than simple knowledge, but the skills to use resources and think critically...to learn even when there is no one there to teach you. There certainly is a delicate balance between caring and boundaries that a teacher must figure out so that students feel supported and encouraged but not helpless. I think there are many things that some people think is "no problem" while others do. So it is important, as you note, to be sensitive to students' backgrounds...to work for tolerance and respect among your students so they learn to be caring people with an understanding of perspective. Students can see when you aren't being honest with them, so if you want to build a trusting learning environment, that is key.
ReplyDelete