Page One 10/17/2010
 
I find it strange that for me, a writer, and one who loves a good soap box, that as soon as I start a blog page I have no idea what to write about. That is the first thought that came into my mind on beginning this new page.

 I actually have multiple goals with this blog.  Obviously from the title I want to write about spiritual subjects and my thirty years as a Quaker.  But I also want to talk about education and the changes I am seeing.  These changes are not in the students, as much as where education as a profession is headed. 

I have come to realize forcefully-full in the face- that my approach to teaching is very much out of favor.  Loving your students, seeing the best in them, building on their strengths is not viewed as a viable educational objective.  So much so, that I feel I am being pushed out of the profession.  As teachers our goal should be to ignite a passion for learning and to be making learning a wonderful part of the life journey.  Students should exit a class feeling that there was some idea, some spark in the lesson meant for them.  We should help them experience the satisfaction of growth and discovery. Learning is so much more than being proficient on a standardized test. 

I know that it is harder to reach students today.  They often have metaphorical ear buds in, even when they don’t have the real ones.  But we can teach them how and why their own learning is interesting, that there is a quiet joy in exploring, discovering and experiencing the learning of any subject.

I tell them, “Learning should feel good.  Not the same kind of feel good as getting a new IPod, or experiencing your first kiss, but a deep quiet satisfaction.”

At this point I won’t even start in on the over simplification of content standards and the silly ta-do over them in fear of going to work tomorrow and finding my desk cleared out.

I wish you peace- Nora

 

 
 


Comments

Winslow (the son)
10/19/2010 20:10

I can't imagine teaching any other way. It was teachers that ignited my passion, both school teachers and parent teachers. I can't imagine where I'd be without them. Probably following Phish, smoking dope, and leading a scandilous life. If you're feeling that way maybe consider places where you can teach the way you feel, private school? Or even better, change the teaching profession by educating teachers yourself at the college level. Remind them a teacher's job is to instill a passion for education not facilitate the dumbing down and ultimate demise of our sheep herded society.

If it's what you believe in fight for it, whether at Gateway or at the root of the cause, university teacher factories producing young unpassionate garbage.

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