God bless you, Phisto, for what you bring to your students. My high school US History teacher is why I always question a narrative. There's a question of divine providence in your presence; God has you there to shape young minds. You wield great power, sir.
So you haven't been forced to join the teacher union? You're not being held to teach to the test/standard? You might be in a very lucky situation indeed.
Regarding the union, I wasn't forced to join it. I joined on my own. Ours is independent from the national group and has some good benefits. Plus, the colleagues I trust are in it. It's also a good way to get in with others. One of those compromises that made sense.
Regarding tests and standards, I don't have an "end of course" exam so that allows a lot of freedom. The standards in my class aren't bad, but like I said... lots of freedom.
I am incredibly lucky in a lot of ways. That is for sure.
There's a Catholic Liberal Arts college out of California, Thomas Aquinas College, that teaches almost only in discussion methods if I understand it correctly. With the teacher leading and guiding the discussions of the students, they cover an insane amount of material and topics.
Here's a sample lecture from one of the best profs there that I know (FYI - I haven't listened to the podcast yet). But they have people talk on a wide range of subjects in these talks - anything from evolution, to space and science, to literature, law, philosophy, etc; and have students listen to things that they don't necessarily agree with. After the lectures, they open the floor to questions - I wish they recorded those as well.
"Part of what made it successful was the fact it was optional. Students could take their test two ways: verbally or written. The point here was to create an environment where reading, writing, and speaking was going on in a higher-than-usual academic atmosphere. We’ll be doing this on the regular, with their dear teacher dialing up the heat each time. My hope is by the end of the year they’ll be capable of a class wide research project lead by myself. Our very own little Manhattan Project. With less explosions. Maybe? Anyway" kudos and the kids are lucky to have you. More teachers should employ these tried and true methods earlier as well.
Twice in my life, I've seriously considered teaching. The first time, I was still in college, the second at a midlife career change. Both times I was diswaded by the realization that too much of my energy would be consumed feeding bureaucratic beast, and the vow of poverty (mid-career business professional starting at the same level as a 22y/o fresh college grad??).
Anyway, no regrets for my chosen path, but enough experience to appreciate the work you've chosen.
You nailed it. Incidentally, so did the probably government educated chick who makes our case for us. Since it's inception, the "Department" has been a place of mental destruction, not building. You should read School of Darkness by Bella Dodd. It's a detailed road map of how our education system has been subverted since the early 20th century.
You'll do you but I'd stress the supposed Socratic reliance on definition "What is justice, anyway, man?" stuff is Plato, who was a totalitarian cunt. Paul, if you like. Antisthenes is the Socratic trad most inline with anarch. Folks can get snaggled on arguing definition until they're stupid in the face.
I love the ideas behind what you are doing with the kids. Challenging but engaging, and increasing in intensity as the months roll by. I’m not in America, so I can’t comment on your department of education.. however, here, in Ireland, last time I checked I believe the percentage of adults that had gone through the system and could not read or write properly, most not at all, was one in four. Now, a lot of those people came from poor backgrounds, with all that entails, but it’s an unacceptable amount, no matter how you look at it. And at the end of the day, it’s on the teachers. Individually and collectively. Our classrooms are completely overcrowded and have been for decades. The amounts of money wasted on promotion of our native language, which about 10 per cent of the country can speak, is scandalous. It could build schools. It could be used to increase the wage and make teaching an attractive proposition. I’m all for gutting just about every department at government level. But education would be top of my list. Great post, Phisto. Thanks for sharing. And keep fighting the good fight.
What part of Ireland are you in? I visited a long time ago. Dublin then south and back up to Shannon. Lots of good memories from that trip.
Your comments about schools there match with mine. It's like... no one's guiding the ship. It's just sailing along, having hit an iceberg, and slowly sinking into a morass.
I’m down south in Cork. Having lived in the Uk, and all over Europe when I was younger. It’s a different Ireland to what it was even ten or twenty years ago. But the educational system has worsened, if anything. The immigration situation has only exacerbated the problems. I think classroom sizes average about 35 students per teacher. A lot of kids ‘fall through the cracks’. Every year. The teachers union is a joke. If they acted, and stood up for their and the children’s rights, the support from the public would be extremely strong. But they are invisible. Like all of the unions here. The leaders are on huge salaries. But nobody knows who they are, as they never want to rock the boat.
God bless you, Phisto, for what you bring to your students. My high school US History teacher is why I always question a narrative. There's a question of divine providence in your presence; God has you there to shape young minds. You wield great power, sir.
So you haven't been forced to join the teacher union? You're not being held to teach to the test/standard? You might be in a very lucky situation indeed.
Regarding the union, I wasn't forced to join it. I joined on my own. Ours is independent from the national group and has some good benefits. Plus, the colleagues I trust are in it. It's also a good way to get in with others. One of those compromises that made sense.
Regarding tests and standards, I don't have an "end of course" exam so that allows a lot of freedom. The standards in my class aren't bad, but like I said... lots of freedom.
I am incredibly lucky in a lot of ways. That is for sure.
There's a Catholic Liberal Arts college out of California, Thomas Aquinas College, that teaches almost only in discussion methods if I understand it correctly. With the teacher leading and guiding the discussions of the students, they cover an insane amount of material and topics.
Here's a sample lecture from one of the best profs there that I know (FYI - I haven't listened to the podcast yet). But they have people talk on a wide range of subjects in these talks - anything from evolution, to space and science, to literature, law, philosophy, etc; and have students listen to things that they don't necessarily agree with. After the lectures, they open the floor to questions - I wish they recorded those as well.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qNOrV37cXJwXmYF5Uw466
Anyways, something to dip your toes into, or throw at students if you think they're wanting more of this kind of thing.
Link to the channel
https://open.spotify.com/show/3zRcjE27b2HEppiKi1Y7A1?si=c16c27aaf6954cdf
Their lectures, and the former students that I've become friends with, have been huge influences in my life and development.
"Part of what made it successful was the fact it was optional. Students could take their test two ways: verbally or written. The point here was to create an environment where reading, writing, and speaking was going on in a higher-than-usual academic atmosphere. We’ll be doing this on the regular, with their dear teacher dialing up the heat each time. My hope is by the end of the year they’ll be capable of a class wide research project lead by myself. Our very own little Manhattan Project. With less explosions. Maybe? Anyway" kudos and the kids are lucky to have you. More teachers should employ these tried and true methods earlier as well.
Twice in my life, I've seriously considered teaching. The first time, I was still in college, the second at a midlife career change. Both times I was diswaded by the realization that too much of my energy would be consumed feeding bureaucratic beast, and the vow of poverty (mid-career business professional starting at the same level as a 22y/o fresh college grad??).
Anyway, no regrets for my chosen path, but enough experience to appreciate the work you've chosen.
Godspeed!
You nailed it. Incidentally, so did the probably government educated chick who makes our case for us. Since it's inception, the "Department" has been a place of mental destruction, not building. You should read School of Darkness by Bella Dodd. It's a detailed road map of how our education system has been subverted since the early 20th century.
You have told us you are in Florida. This site may help you find budget info for your district. https://www.fldoe.org/finance/fl-edu-finance-program-fefp/school-dis-summary-budget.stml
I enjoy this latest series and always find myself researching and learning along with your students.
Yet another good read!
You'll do you but I'd stress the supposed Socratic reliance on definition "What is justice, anyway, man?" stuff is Plato, who was a totalitarian cunt. Paul, if you like. Antisthenes is the Socratic trad most inline with anarch. Folks can get snaggled on arguing definition until they're stupid in the face.
Thanks for this! Whatever helps me promote critical thinking (in myself as well as students!) is welcome.
I love the ideas behind what you are doing with the kids. Challenging but engaging, and increasing in intensity as the months roll by. I’m not in America, so I can’t comment on your department of education.. however, here, in Ireland, last time I checked I believe the percentage of adults that had gone through the system and could not read or write properly, most not at all, was one in four. Now, a lot of those people came from poor backgrounds, with all that entails, but it’s an unacceptable amount, no matter how you look at it. And at the end of the day, it’s on the teachers. Individually and collectively. Our classrooms are completely overcrowded and have been for decades. The amounts of money wasted on promotion of our native language, which about 10 per cent of the country can speak, is scandalous. It could build schools. It could be used to increase the wage and make teaching an attractive proposition. I’m all for gutting just about every department at government level. But education would be top of my list. Great post, Phisto. Thanks for sharing. And keep fighting the good fight.
What part of Ireland are you in? I visited a long time ago. Dublin then south and back up to Shannon. Lots of good memories from that trip.
Your comments about schools there match with mine. It's like... no one's guiding the ship. It's just sailing along, having hit an iceberg, and slowly sinking into a morass.
I’m down south in Cork. Having lived in the Uk, and all over Europe when I was younger. It’s a different Ireland to what it was even ten or twenty years ago. But the educational system has worsened, if anything. The immigration situation has only exacerbated the problems. I think classroom sizes average about 35 students per teacher. A lot of kids ‘fall through the cracks’. Every year. The teachers union is a joke. If they acted, and stood up for their and the children’s rights, the support from the public would be extremely strong. But they are invisible. Like all of the unions here. The leaders are on huge salaries. But nobody knows who they are, as they never want to rock the boat.
God bless you friend for sticking with it against all those odds!
What do I think? WOW! I think you are awesome! I think your approach is Exactly what is needed! Bravissimo!!