Tuesday, April 6, 2010
I Remember When...
I remember a time when teaching wasn't ALL about state testing. Yes, to all the newest educators, there once was a time when testing wasn't the ultimate determination for whether or not an individual teacher or school was good enough. As I have talked with former students over the years, I have never once heard any of them say that they most fondly remember all the lessons that were focused on standards relating to state testing. What have they recalled instead? Well...the creative writing lessons that I no longer have time for; the conversations that we shared when they needed a safe person to talk with, which is sometimes frowned upon because we don't want to get "too close" to our students; the field trips and extra curricular activities that taught them that learning doesn't always have to happen between four walls, which budget cuts have virtually eliminated; and the little extras I would offer like guest speakers, which I unfortunately can't tie to an emphasized standard. Several of my former students usually mention the word "fun" when they think back to their time in my class. I am tickled by that and feel pleased that they enjoyed my class. But to be honest, I'm doubtful that many of my students in the past several years would use that same word today. Now don't get me wrong, I try as often as I can to use humor in my teaching, but the constant pressure to perform and improve test scores, doesn't leave much time for laughter. I feel things deeply and take the responsibilites of my job seriously. Maybe I should lighten up? Maybe I should return to the things I did that students have fondly remembered? I wish I had that choice, but deep down, I don't believe I do as long as "the test" is the final measure. I will continue to work hard each day, to give my best to the kids who walk through my classroom door, to work cooperatively and creatively with my colleagues, and to try not to become so discouraged that I want to jump ship before my retirement years hit. I still like being an educator, and I believe I work with some of the finest people around. However, I remember when I used to LOVE being a teacher. I'm hoping someday that I can say that again...simply speaking.
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I was almost brought to tears when I read your post, "I Remember When." Most of the women in my family are in Education. My mom, grandma's, Aunt, and myself (I homeschool):)
ReplyDeleteEven though we choose to educate our children at home I remember how much I loved my Elementary teachers. What did I love? I loved that we sang every morning in 4rth grade because Mrs. Martin played the piano. I loved that she wore a little wooden bird on her shirt every day and told us all about it. I loved that after lunch she read to us, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," all because we had time. Although school systems were still secular and government controlled they at least saw the importance of education in ALL areas, not just for "teaching the test" and learning out of a book. I loved field trips and PE EVERY day and I knew that my teachers were available to talk. That is just one example of ONE teacher I had growing up and it's so sad to me that teacher's AND students are not given the freedom to teach and to learn. This is what government control looks like.
I have a wonderful book titled, "For the Children's Sake" by Susan Schaffer McCauly and it speaks both to homeschool teachers and "out-of-the-home teachers." It's a wonderful book that reminds us that children are just that...children, and God already designed them to LEARN. We don't have to teach them to learn we just need to give them excellent literature (that points to our Creator and a(n) safe, loving environment in which to learn, play, expolore, imagine, and create.
I Remember When... too.
Belinda
Thanks, Belinda, for your thoughful response. It makes me feel all warm inside.
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