Rather than responding to a comment on my previous blog, I opted to start a new post.....matters of the heart was mentioned in connection with culture......it is all about a matter of the heart.....that "will" that Pedro talked about......willing to make things happen is a direct correlation to what is filled in our hearts.....
I love being around new teachers b/c of that excitement and desire that comes with anything new....what starts out as idealistic often turns sour.....many hearts are turned to stone.......that is my concern and what I really wanted to talk about......
What can schools do? I strongly feel that it is top down......everyone talks about community....the irony is the lack of community within many schools.....doesn't that sense come from those leading? Perhaps if teachers felt a sense of ownership within the school, many hearts would soften......
I was often asked while teaching, how in the world do you get your childrern to perform so well? What do you do to get parents in your room? Why are parents asking for you??? I never really had an answer.....other than I truly cared.....I was in their homes having dinner.....taking my students to the movies.....they spent the night....their parents and I went out to dinners.....all of which many found to be crazy.......I think it was b/c the school was a part of me.......their worries, their concerns, their happiness was with me all of the time.......I did not take grading home with me....I took "them" home with me.......I sit here and think about all of those years....and I miss that....I miss what each new year brought, however never at the expense of the past years being forgotten........
Uncertainty
14 years ago
Posts
It always amazes me when I hear people say about a fellow educator, "You know, she/he really doesn't like kids." And I believe if the passion for teaching and learning doesn't reach the heart, we're just hanging around for the 5th and the 20th.
ReplyDeleteYour passion comes from the heart and it can be observed in your work product and professional relationships.
there seem to be those that look for opportunities and those that look for excuses. the former are going to be teachers that make a real difference in the lives of the students that they teach, the latter are going to be teachers that might not.
ReplyDeleteYou taught like you live - from the heart. You taught like you treat you own child - with respect, love, and concern for her to reach her highest potential. You taught from the basic respect for life instilled in you by your family - like each person is a gift waiting to be unwrapped. Why others don't embrace this same perspective, I often wonder. Do they come to teaching as empty vessels and remain that way? Do they come wounded and afraid to open themselves up to others? Do they lack dreams for their own children or for the children of the world? Or do they come bringing gifts we cannot see? I don't know, but as a parent and an educator, I firmly believe that every child deserves a caring teacher who will spare no expense of time and talent to bring to each child what I always wished for my own children. When are we going to screen out the educators who don't provide that environment and experience to all the world's children?
ReplyDeleteI believe one has to have a special heart to teach. It definitely is not about the money; it's a higher calling - it’s about changing a child for the better forever. I can’t help but applaud my son’s art teacher (ironically the same one who killed my daughter’s passion for art) because through her prodding and encouragement he realized (and I too) that he had this natural talent within. Just last week he got through the first district elimination round of the Texas Visual Art Scholastic Event. Now his work qualified to compete in the national division. I just wished she could have done the same for my daughter.
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