Today I had the pleasure of visiting another magnet high school in an urban center nearby. On the drive home I started to wonder who has the high school program wrong - urban or suburban. I tried to imagine, what if I went to a magnet school (my choice would have been a science/math magnet school since I love math and science) how might my education have proceeded differently if I was exposed to my favorite topics surrounded by students who were all motivated to succeed? I'm not saying that I didn't go to a good high school. It was a Catholic high school and I did very well, but was I challenged to excel or step out of my comfort zone? Hardly. As a teacher I don't just want the students to do okay but to really stretch their imaginations and challenge themselves. This doesn't directly equate to pouring on the homework but if you see that a student is capable of doing more and ask them to do it. This seems to be what is happening at these magnet schools.
On several occasions, I heard either students or faculty mention that they get to know students and where their interests lie. As the student progresses in their studies the teachers guide them on the path to success. Possibly by making suggestions for courses, one teacher uses the student's current skill set to begin the learning process and then expands on other skills (like writing) during the course of the year. The students start in the safe educational foundation doing the "thing" they love and the expand on it with basic courses for college preparation and challenging courses by trying something they don't think they are so good at.
I didn't meet with my guidance counselor about college until my senior year --- way too late as I can see now. These students mentioned that they don't want to be treated as 'children' -- they want someone to respect their interests (which these schools/faculty/teachers do) and to help them find the path to doing something with those interests. In the halls, I heard more than one person (the visitors) mention that its too soon to know what you want to do for a career path but I disagree. Everyone has interests --- follow them where they lead. Maybe to your career path, maybe to other doors that you wish to open. The interesting thing that I noticed was that several of the students did not plan to continue their college education in their high school major but that major was still a very large part of their life. How exciting that they have the confidence to stretch their wings to continue their education on another path. They must have received that well rounded education that they all spoke about plus the added dose of character building.
The things I've seen repeated at this successful schools: character building, small schools, and faculty that get to know the students and expect success from the students. We probably can't control the size of the school that we'll work in but I can sure follow the other suggestions.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Urban Educators Institute's Influence on Little Old Me
Today I visited M School and U High School in a urban center close by. What a great experience. Seeing the young faces so eager to meet new people and be helpful. Interestingly enough, as a result of taking this course I was debating if I should be a teacher --- did I really have what it takes? I read the blogs of some students and feel that I can't hold a candle to their expertise, their grasp of their content, and their ability to blog! I was beginning to feel quite inadequate.
Somewhere during the the course of meeting with enthusiastic administrators, real teachers and some inspired students I realized that I enjoy being inside a school. School has always "felt" good. I was jazzed to be inside U High. Just being near knowledge puts me in a good mood (yes, I'm a library nut and a book store nut). I realized that I do have a way to go before I'm ready to teach but I also realize that this is the one of those permanent learning jobs as well. As one teacher at U High put it, "we need to be reflective teachers -- ask yourself why something didn't work, look to your peers for suggestions".
At the same time I'm writing this I'm also wondering how I will do this. Some of these activities go against my God given personality (which isn't like to change too much at my age). I have been primarily a "I work alone" sort of person, can I adapt? Can I get used to reaching out to other teachers when I don't know what to do? Now, I also have to admit that I'm not particularly fond of screwing up either but I'm supposed to somehow reflect on what I could have done differently. I have some challenges ahead of me but no more so then the students that step into the classroom to learn something new. We will all be affected by the experience.
Somewhere during the the course of meeting with enthusiastic administrators, real teachers and some inspired students I realized that I enjoy being inside a school. School has always "felt" good. I was jazzed to be inside U High. Just being near knowledge puts me in a good mood (yes, I'm a library nut and a book store nut). I realized that I do have a way to go before I'm ready to teach but I also realize that this is the one of those permanent learning jobs as well. As one teacher at U High put it, "we need to be reflective teachers -- ask yourself why something didn't work, look to your peers for suggestions".
At the same time I'm writing this I'm also wondering how I will do this. Some of these activities go against my God given personality (which isn't like to change too much at my age). I have been primarily a "I work alone" sort of person, can I adapt? Can I get used to reaching out to other teachers when I don't know what to do? Now, I also have to admit that I'm not particularly fond of screwing up either but I'm supposed to somehow reflect on what I could have done differently. I have some challenges ahead of me but no more so then the students that step into the classroom to learn something new. We will all be affected by the experience.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Reflections on My Culture/My Community
Our culture has been shaped by some many different things, I'm not sure if most people are even aware of it. Race, class, gender, language, religion, where we grew up all had an impact on us as children and it shaped what we now come to know as our current culture. But I really believe that it is the experiences we may have had as a result of these factors that is the true shaper of our culture. For example, am I shaped by the fact that I am Catholic or the fact that my parents insisted that we go to mass at 7:30am every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation (never missed one) and I went through 12 years of Catholic education? I believe its the later. Am I shaped by the fact that I am a woman or that fact that someone told me girls don't do as well in math (boy, did that make me mad) and that girls had to wash dishes while the boys got to do the fun outside work (that made me mad too). My thought is that it is the experiences we have with these factors that shape our behavior and belief systems.
I have to admit that I haven't had a huge scope of experiences with different cultures, so identifying differences and commonalities will take time. I believe that everyone should respect where they came from and how they came to this time and place. We should not be attempting to change the way people believe however we should feel comfortable sharing what we know. It really won't make a difference where I chose to teach, the diversity will be in the classroom and must be met with open arms.
I'm sad to say that my open arms attitude may not be the norm in other cultures. If we all had open arms, then there would not be wars or terrorists. However, some cultures do strongly believe that their culture is the only true culture and the rest are just fools that need to be destroyed. Gosh, it pains me to say that. Its not the way that I believe and I can't understand why this has to be. I would be a fool to go into my classroom and believe that everyone was as open as I, so I must be prepared to make it clear that there is not room in the classroom for uncaring remarks. As my mother has always said, "If you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything at all".
I think culture often makes people view each other as different (which frequently translates to a bad thing). All we can do is to continue to encourage that different isn't bad its just different. Yes, its possible that when I teach the students will look at me differently, hear an accent that is different, or clothing that is different and it will most likely put up a temporary roadblock for learning. As a teacher from U High School mentioned, the focus of the first month of the school year should be to connect with the kids while sharing some subject content. Sharing the differences and looking for the commonalities will open up the path to a successful year of learning.
As a result of this culture I have developed, I view these factors differently. As a woman (who feels that equality is not there yet), I encourage girls to stick to their guns and be outspoken. I raise my children to believe that men and women should be equal. As a Catholic living in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, I share my views on religion but I certainly don't expect understanding. The reality is that we are all very different. We can share our beliefs, however we should not expect that everyone will follow in our footsteps.
There is also another factor in our culture shaping --- society (probably best defined as your community). As a parent, I have specifically chosen to go "counter-cultural" as far as my community is concerned. There are two books that I have read that lead me to this choice; a book by Matthew Kelly (The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose, 2005 Fireside) and "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom (2003, Time Warner Paperbacks). Both books clearly indicate, that we need to look inside of ourselves to define culture and live that culture. I don't do or buy things just because everyone in the neighborhood is doing it (no cellphones until they are actually needed, limited time on computer and TV, no gaming systems -- poor dears). Instead, my children are friends that play together because they are not glued to a TV. So, I don't necessarily let culture define me --- I've defined the culture that I want.
My desire to learn has always been there and I'm not certain that I see a tie to learning experiences. I read books to learn how to bake, fix a sink or help my kids with their shyness. Plain and simple, I'm curious and fortunately there are books on every topic that you can think about. Does this mean that all students can be good learners if we can figure out how to tap into that curiosity?I have to admit that I haven't had a huge scope of experiences with different cultures, so identifying differences and commonalities will take time. I believe that everyone should respect where they came from and how they came to this time and place. We should not be attempting to change the way people believe however we should feel comfortable sharing what we know. It really won't make a difference where I chose to teach, the diversity will be in the classroom and must be met with open arms.
I'm sad to say that my open arms attitude may not be the norm in other cultures. If we all had open arms, then there would not be wars or terrorists. However, some cultures do strongly believe that their culture is the only true culture and the rest are just fools that need to be destroyed. Gosh, it pains me to say that. Its not the way that I believe and I can't understand why this has to be. I would be a fool to go into my classroom and believe that everyone was as open as I, so I must be prepared to make it clear that there is not room in the classroom for uncaring remarks. As my mother has always said, "If you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything at all".
I think culture often makes people view each other as different (which frequently translates to a bad thing). All we can do is to continue to encourage that different isn't bad its just different. Yes, its possible that when I teach the students will look at me differently, hear an accent that is different, or clothing that is different and it will most likely put up a temporary roadblock for learning. As a teacher from U High School mentioned, the focus of the first month of the school year should be to connect with the kids while sharing some subject content. Sharing the differences and looking for the commonalities will open up the path to a successful year of learning.
Expect the unexpected
Listening to the various stories about 'things' we might occur in the urban classroom reminded me of my interview with a computer software training company. I was tired of the corporate environment and wanted to do something more productive. I saw an ad for a computer instructor position; it sounded perfect. This would be my first real teaching experience (not counting teaching CCD), so I prepared very thoroughly for my interview. I was given an excerpt from one of the courses and I was told to prepare a "lesson" that I would present to several interviewers.
My lesson was to be for an Introduction to Microsoft Access Database -- no problem. I walked in, all set to show them what I knew. I walked into a conference room with a table, several chairs and a whiteboard -- no computer. Now what? I asked where the computer was, I had assumed there would be a computer. This is what I was told.... we don't have a computer and as an instructor you must be prepared to deal with anything in the classroom. One of the interviewers told a story of teaching a course to a corporate client that gave her a room with a large number of students and just a chalkboard.
Fortunately, I'm not afraid of a challenge so I gave my lesson using the white board and I got the job. It was a lesson that I've always kept at the back of my head --- expect the unexpected, roll with the punches, keep moving -- you get the point. I don't believe that I'm fully prepared for the challenges that may face me in the classroom but I'm ready to keep moving forward.
My lesson was to be for an Introduction to Microsoft Access Database -- no problem. I walked in, all set to show them what I knew. I walked into a conference room with a table, several chairs and a whiteboard -- no computer. Now what? I asked where the computer was, I had assumed there would be a computer. This is what I was told.... we don't have a computer and as an instructor you must be prepared to deal with anything in the classroom. One of the interviewers told a story of teaching a course to a corporate client that gave her a room with a large number of students and just a chalkboard.
Fortunately, I'm not afraid of a challenge so I gave my lesson using the white board and I got the job. It was a lesson that I've always kept at the back of my head --- expect the unexpected, roll with the punches, keep moving -- you get the point. I don't believe that I'm fully prepared for the challenges that may face me in the classroom but I'm ready to keep moving forward.
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