I wonder how long it will take them to realize how truly blessed they to have you as their guide? I know regarding my great teachers , I knew right then, they were special, and I was lucky. But that’s 60 years ago.
Your piece today brought to mind a buried memory … at the end of one semester years ago, I invited the students to write down their thoughts / feelings about the class … one comment stuck in my mind because it gave me hope … she wrote “your class is hard because you expect us to think …”
When I enthusiastically (and naively) related the story to my department head she reprimanded me in front of others … apparently it was not my job to get my students to think it was to tell them what to think. The highs and lows of teaching all on the same day. But then I wonder … what seeds might have been planted all those years ago in that class? I may never know but I am forever grateful for those teachers who inspired me then and continue to inspire me today ☺️ 🙏
Looks like you did it. Broke that paradigm that’s it’s important to pass the test, be the cog in the machine. Sounds like you’re encouraging a life of learning, critical thinking, questioning and creativity. All that while saying it’s ok to flounder but you better keep moving and if you see someone needing help offer it. Some of those blowhards who try to punch above their heads need a semester in your class. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
You didn’t miss a week. In the moment of setting up the classroom I realized trashing it wasn’t going to work well. I went in favor of a museum set up instead. :)
Bravo. I applaud the creativity, respect, exploration, individuality, morality, humour and Education. That one gets a capital letter. Your students are so blessed and I am, too, for being able to read about it and share in the excitement and the learning. Merry Christmas.
As another laborer in the field, I salute a fellow anarch. I wonder the same kinds of things, I hazard some of the same risks & experiments & old-school drills in the new-&-still-the-same context, I am grateful for the occasional heartfelt connection (sometimes just a meaning-laden shared glance) with a student, & for the knowledge of other teachers out there who make me know I am not alone.
‘You’re gonna write and write and write till you fall down’..
Paraphrasing I think, but that’s pretty much the gist of what you let the kids know right off the bat. Love it.
One history teacher I had would have us write the text of our history book, into our work book, while he snuck out to continue guzzling from his large hip flask. After a couple of weeks I just read the book!
Those kids of yours are truly blessed.
As your soon to be family of your own will be. Good luck on that front in the coming year.
I wonder how long it will take them to realize how truly blessed they to have you as their guide? I know regarding my great teachers , I knew right then, they were special, and I was lucky. But that’s 60 years ago.
Next year will be the first time students I had as freshman will walk at graduation. It will be a very interesting day.
I’ve done nothing even remotely like this for anyone. I’m kind of a fucking loser.
Your piece today brought to mind a buried memory … at the end of one semester years ago, I invited the students to write down their thoughts / feelings about the class … one comment stuck in my mind because it gave me hope … she wrote “your class is hard because you expect us to think …”
When I enthusiastically (and naively) related the story to my department head she reprimanded me in front of others … apparently it was not my job to get my students to think it was to tell them what to think. The highs and lows of teaching all on the same day. But then I wonder … what seeds might have been planted all those years ago in that class? I may never know but I am forever grateful for those teachers who inspired me then and continue to inspire me today ☺️ 🙏
Looks like you did it. Broke that paradigm that’s it’s important to pass the test, be the cog in the machine. Sounds like you’re encouraging a life of learning, critical thinking, questioning and creativity. All that while saying it’s ok to flounder but you better keep moving and if you see someone needing help offer it. Some of those blowhards who try to punch above their heads need a semester in your class. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Did I miss a week? What happened with trashing the classroom?
You didn’t miss a week. In the moment of setting up the classroom I realized trashing it wasn’t going to work well. I went in favor of a museum set up instead. :)
Teach, sounds like you were one kickass student in your youth. (Meant as a compliment to your own curiosity to learn and imagine.)
Bravo. I applaud the creativity, respect, exploration, individuality, morality, humour and Education. That one gets a capital letter. Your students are so blessed and I am, too, for being able to read about it and share in the excitement and the learning. Merry Christmas.
Your class sounds awesome!
I would have loved having a teacher like you.
As another laborer in the field, I salute a fellow anarch. I wonder the same kinds of things, I hazard some of the same risks & experiments & old-school drills in the new-&-still-the-same context, I am grateful for the occasional heartfelt connection (sometimes just a meaning-laden shared glance) with a student, & for the knowledge of other teachers out there who make me know I am not alone.
Salutations of the season to you & to all.
I couldn't help but think of this...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Changing_of_the_Guard_(The_Twilight_Zone)
Thank you for that. Truly.
‘You’re gonna write and write and write till you fall down’..
Paraphrasing I think, but that’s pretty much the gist of what you let the kids know right off the bat. Love it.
One history teacher I had would have us write the text of our history book, into our work book, while he snuck out to continue guzzling from his large hip flask. After a couple of weeks I just read the book!
Those kids of yours are truly blessed.
As your soon to be family of your own will be. Good luck on that front in the coming year.
God bless you all as we stride into 2025.