I’ve been learning so much lately in my job and I’ve really enjoyed being able to talk to and learn from the the teachers I’ve been working with. I never really felt all that passionate about or interested in pedagogy and I spent the first five years of my teaching career coming to the conclusion that there wasn’t a whole lot that I could do as a teacher that would make a difference. Kids wouldn’t show up for class because they had family/psychological/social/motivational (whatever) issues and so there was nothing I could do about them, and the rest of the students were either too lazy to try or were only motivated by numbers on a page. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of course. There’s all the administrative pressure to submit marks. I couldn’t control the fact that students were late all the time without consequences and on and on and on. So why would I be motivated to think about pedagogical theory?
It’s a really amazing opportunity to spend a year outside of that situation to be able to think deeply about these ideas and discover things that you are passionate about without the day to day pressures of the classroom (not that there haven’t been pressure this year–don’t even get me started there!).
I feel like I’ve got a tonne of strategies for helping struggling and reluctant readers and I feel so much more confident in my knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and instructional practice. I have so many things I’d like to try when I get back into the classroom but– and here’s the big but– what if I get back into the classroom and I can’t or don’t implement any of the things I’m thinking about right now? It’s so easy to lose sight of the big picture when you’ve got a kid in your class telling you to f@*# off, or when you’re dealing with a parent who really doesn’t care whether or not her son attends your class. How am I going to maintain this energy and optimism when I’m back in the classroom? How do I make sure this year isn’t a waste?
Any ideas?
It is a question of belief. If you believe that the new strategiess that you are developing are really going to help reluctant readers with enduring understandings, then you will move mountains to implement them in the classroom. And as you do that, you will understand that these strategies are ENGAGING, and that students will want to come to class, will ask you to help out, rather than F#%@ off, and parents just may notice that their child is learning.
Surround yourself with a PLN of like-minded educators, because the nay-sayers, and “old-ways threatened” can be a negative voice to which you need not listen.
Hey Danika, It is good to hear that you are enjoying your current assignment. It sounds like you have found the ‘flow’ that keeps us going and takes us through the difficult. Maybe working with curriculum and coaching colleagues is more your thing? If/when you go back into the classroom, keep that flow. Parents and students can only TRY to undermine you – and they will meet with less success the more you are in your ‘element’ (to use Ken Robinson’s term). Drawing strength from purpose and passion helps us endure the slings and arrows while enjoying the rewards.
Oh yeah, and what Barb said: keep building your great PLN to support you
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Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I think the support I have now in terms of my PLN is much stronger now than in the past. That makes me feel hopeful!
Author James Patterson has a ten year-old son who doesn’t like to read. So Patterson has established http://www.readkiddoread.com to help other reluctant readers.
I, too, grew up as a reluctant reader. And my father was the author of over 70 books. Now I write action-adventure and mystery books especially for tween boys. My blog, Books for boys, http://booksandboys.blogspot.com is # 4 on Google today.
Max Elliot Anderson
Hi Danika
Sometimes you won’t be able to keep up the energy and will feel yourself sinking into cynicism. It’s okay – you don’t have to be super teacher and all things to all people. Heck, most of the time you won’t get any feedback from any quarter on how you are doing and then – boom – just like that – you’ll get the note from a kid thanking you or a kid will come back at graduation and hug you and tell you that you made all the difference or a parent will come up to you in the Kelsey’s and thank you for helping her LD daughter get through 4C and you’ll know that you can keep going with optimism and renewed commitment. Besides – ask yourself what else you would be doing if you weren’t teaching? It helps remind you what you love about the job. (It also helps to stay away from negative people in the staff room!)
You’ll be okay.