http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU
This really nails it, after all. I heard it out of the blue on NPR a couple of months ago, and it so
inspired me. Just listening to passionate, smart, articulate people talk about what they do is enough to recharge my batteries now and again. It's good to remember your original impetus.
Teaching is in the top quartile of most complex and difficult jobs, and deserves respect. We've all had our share of bad teachers, but the typical across the board dismissal is unwarrented.
I CHOSE this profession!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
#1 Experiencing Different Types of Learners
Last year, I had the good fortune of being able to observe and work in a self contained special education classroom in a local middle school for about three months. At the end of my time there, I sat down and interviewed the teacher, with the goal of writing a paper comparing her philosophy with her actual practice. I was suprised to see how unified and pragmatic she was. What I expected was either a burnt out containment approach, or wide eyed optimism. I saw neither. Her practice was proven effective in my mind when a former student, now mainstreamed into the public high school, dropped by for an unannounced visit. He was there to express his thanks to the teacher, and to encourage the younger kids with stories of his success.
The field of special education is firmly misunderstood by the public. When my uncle who has worked in the field for 30 years tells people what he does for a living, they usually respond with something like "Wow, you must be so patient!"
When he tells this story, which I've heard before, he radiates indignance. "No, I'm a highly trained professional, working like a scientist to get results!"
I've heard that account for years, and in light of what I saw in the classroom here, he's right. If the success of the students depended on the emotional state of the teacher on any given day, the kids would likely be in bad shape. Consistency and professionality win the day by setting a calm, determined tone for the classroom.
This kind of work is hard, to put it mildly. The teacher stressed repeatedly to me the importance of finding ways to take care of myself, not neglecting any dimensions. It's suprisingly easy to get to cross the line of needing to recharge yourself so badly that you can't offer a spark to anyone else.
The field of special education is firmly misunderstood by the public. When my uncle who has worked in the field for 30 years tells people what he does for a living, they usually respond with something like "Wow, you must be so patient!"
When he tells this story, which I've heard before, he radiates indignance. "No, I'm a highly trained professional, working like a scientist to get results!"
I've heard that account for years, and in light of what I saw in the classroom here, he's right. If the success of the students depended on the emotional state of the teacher on any given day, the kids would likely be in bad shape. Consistency and professionality win the day by setting a calm, determined tone for the classroom.
This kind of work is hard, to put it mildly. The teacher stressed repeatedly to me the importance of finding ways to take care of myself, not neglecting any dimensions. It's suprisingly easy to get to cross the line of needing to recharge yourself so badly that you can't offer a spark to anyone else.
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