This week in British Literature I read and analyzed sixteen poems. The common theme - Carpe Diem.
I love movies that show teachers teaching with passion. This one and the movies, "Freedom Writers", "Akeelah and the Bee", "Stand and Deliver", "Lean on Me", and "The Great Debaters" are all great movies. I do caution that some have language and tough issues but don't we face that every day in school. I think I say this at least 5 times a day to various students - "Is that language school appropriate?"
This clip and the Carpe Diem clip speak volumes to me. Why do we do what we do? Why do you? Surely it wasn't the lie that is spewed - those that can't teach. That is NOT why I do what I do. I still have a deep belief that I can change the world one student at a time. That I can teach more than academics and that I can love and help the most needy of students. Some say it is a lost cause and they teach...makes my heart sad. But maybe, I can be the spark that sets fire to the dying embers that lay deep inside them, that reignites the why behind what/why they teach.
One thing that I do know through observing, assisting and education classes...we don't just teach math, science, English and social studies. I also know some days are glorious while others are tough. When we are deep in the trenches with a student that has given up hope or doesn't see the value of education; we dig a little deeper in ourselves and love them through it.
The one thing that speaks volumes to me is the idea of students "thinking" for themselves. Isn't that what guided questions are meant to do? Meta-cognitive conversations?
The bigger concept is his passion. He got quieter when he really wanted them to lean in. I LOVE THIS CONCEPT. I do this a lot. It may look weird but it does cause them to lean in to what you are trying to convey. (I do this on Sundays as well when teaching students.)
Huddle up -
I honestly hope that our passion never dies, our love for students(even the difficult ones) never dies and that we seize the day - every day we are afforded the opportunity to make an impact, ignite a spark or encourage someone (student, staff, admin, peers) to press on.
Hey - those rose colored glasses look good on you!
Seize the day and remember you are making a difference one student at a time.
What an appropriate clip for this class, nice post. I too believe that there are those that come in and clock in and clock out to collect a pay check and say they teach and then there are the rest of us that don't pay attention to the clock, appreciate the money that appears to be an added bonus and consider every student special. I tell all of my students on my case loads that they are my babies and will be for life. When I pass others in the hall I go out of my way to remind them that they are still my babies and I am always available for them if needed. Yes, some days are just plain exhausting while others are far more jubilant, but every day, no matter how I feel physically or mentally, I carry my hide in pride, embrace the feeling of appreciation and reward.
ReplyDeleteAnyone can write...but the best authors write from the heart and from what they know. Such is the difference in an employee that calls themselves a teacher and one that deserves the title teacher/monitor/cheerleader/coach/parent figure/confidant....
I love so many things about Dead Poets Society; the energy, the passion, the resistance, the leaning into it, the inspiration, and the grit! Tonight I was reminded of some experiences from a few years back regarding a couple of students...their father was in prison, they were living with a mother on drugs, sometimes landing with a grandparent who was ANGRY. One of the young men was sitting with me and a few other students after school and we were playing Rummy. He had never played. The others had learned this game with their families, and we had just been in a conversation about our game time around the table over the holidays. He was lost in that conversation. This was a foreign concept to him about family, and learning. His last couple of years were about survival. I am so proud to say he is surviving. I am not sure that he is thriving yet, but there is hope. I was so proud to be a part of the moving forward with him tonight in the little substitute family atmosphere the other students helped create. I have watched most of the movies you mentioned above, and the scenarios in each one are so real and noted in our classrooms. I do hope to be one of those who engages the students in learning, in thinking, in caring, in safely moving forward to experience the joys of life and learning.
ReplyDeleteWow what a thoughtful post! I am still processing but, I think too many times teacher don't stop and think about how their words effect students. As a teacher I hope to be able to fun inspirational and understanding of all situations.
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