In the comment
section below, share at least one "aha" moment (evidence) and "why." Read
comments by other group members and respond to posts by at least two other
teachers.
On page 184, in chapter 21, Kerri Warfield states that in her search for the answer to the question “Why become a teacher?” she needed to look at the perspectives of other educators to come to an overall conclusion that we become teachers in order to fill the “ desire to touch lives”. I think that the ‘desire’ is the hook for all educators. I have never really met a teacher who did it for ‘summers off’ or for the outstanding pay and benefit packages! I wanted to become a teacher when in the 3rd grade, I was asked if I wanted to tutor a 1st grade student in reading-which right away I saw as a way to roam the halls to another place and maybe avoid math at the time. But what it really became was that I got to touch this little girl’s life. I noticed the first time I read with her that she held her book side-ways to read it. That didn’t make sense to me. I explained to her teacher and asked if she was ‘supposed’ to do that. The teacher had not noticed it-or at least that was my perception at the time. I really felt like I helped this 1st grader. Within 2 weeks of our session, she had glasses and was holding her book the right way. I was so proud to think I played a role in helping her. So the hook to me is ‘touching lives’. I may have had other ambitions within my years from 3rd grade to college, but that moment helped direct me. It touched my life and changed me.
Jan. What a great story! I wish I had known what I wanted to do when I was 3rd grader! I struggled with my decision to teach all through my under grad years and well into my years as a young mom. i had a desire to help others but was terrified of the awesome responsbilty of preparing kiddos to be productive members of society! I still have those moments. In fact I think I will need to retire when I stop worrying about it because it means I don't care enough anymore!
"Why Become a teacher" was something so many people asked me going to school. After reading this book and just seeing what all of these other teachers went through: struggles, accomplisments, laughter, highs, and lows. I would have to say that this is why I teach. I have learned even this past year that I will never go a day without going through one of these experiences and it truly is making me a better teacher and individual. Why I teach: to become a better woman of God, to become a better friend, to become a better "mom", to become a better reader, writer, mathmatician, to impact lives of all those little ones. Why I teach: because I get to start all over each year and only get better at what I do!.
So true, Karen! It is overwhelming sometimes to think about the responsibility teachers have in preparing children for adulthood! Jan, I also had experiences in elementary school that planted that seed of wanting to be a teacher. Wonder how many of those seeds we are all planting each day?
Great point Karen...I too knew in 4th grade that I wanted to be a teacher. I had an amazing 4th grade teacher that opened my mind to so many different views of HOW to help kids.
I, too, believe that I was inspired at a very young age to become a teacher, although I did not actually decide to become a teacher until my second year of college. I had an amazing Kinder teacher who 'looped' up with my class to 1st grade. I have more memories about those two years than I do other elementary school years. Like the author in Chapter 21, I asked myself, "Why should I teach?" and answered, "Why not." I am thankful every day for making this decision!
I had a deep connection with the first teacher in section V, Mary Ginley. She talks about the profound affect ‘Steven’ had on her during the 2 years she taught him. I have at least one gem like Steven every year I have taught. Some years my gems have more carats than others. Every one of them has helped me to grow as a teacher and as a person. I find myself having to imagine what it must be like to walk in each one of my ‘Steven’s’ shoes before I can truly reach them. I have heard from a few of them over the years. Two of them even apologized to me for their behavior and thanked me for putting up with them. Others, I try to remember in my prayers occasionally that they can rise above their situations. I think my deepest admiration and empathy goes out to all my kiddos whose parents are soldiers. Even as 6 year olds they know their parents are “trying to kill bad guys.” I am amazed that they have the where with all to learn anything in their circumstances at all! If I have been able to reach any of my troubled students, it is because I remind myself that reason I am here teaching is to put my students welfare first and foremost.
Karen how true are those gems. This technically being my first year, but even teaching preschool and prek I had those gems with lots of carats lol. I have learned that I can either take it one day at a time and learn those gems and how to polish them and make them shine, or I can put the gem in my jewelry box and polish it every now and then. I have learned so much about why I need to take it one day at a time and know that if each day is new for me then each day is new for my gems!!!! I love teaching and I love to be taught by all my kids!
I loved that story about Steven and the letter he wrote to his teacher! It is those students that make teaching the most challenging, yet, the most rewarding.
"Why Become a teacher" was something so many people asked me going to school. After reading this book and just seeing what all of these other teachers went through: struggles, accomplisments, laughter, highs, and lows. I would have to say that this is why I teach. I have learned even this past year that I will never go a day without going through one of these experiences and it truly is making me a better teacher and individual. Why I teach: to become a better woman of God, to become a better friend, to become a better "mom", to become a better reader, writer, mathmatician, to impact lives of all those little ones. Why I teach: because I get to start all over each year and only get better at what I do!.
I totally agree Trista! I love that every year I get to start all over each year and only get better and with God helping me along the way anything is possible!
I related with Mary Ginley and the confession on page 169, she has "spent her entire life unsure and unsettled, never quite feeling as if she was getting it "right." I feel that way lots of times and worry about that. I think there are times in teaching that no amount of education or professional development can prepare you for. All children are different and react differently in the same situations, so there is no ONE correct answer in teaching.
I also related to this Kim, and I think it's especially true for us. Being in Special Education, things are constantly changing and thrown at us that I always find myself feeling unsettled. You are also so right that there is no one correct, fit all answer for every child.
Kim I agree with you. Having taught Special Education and then switching to ELL I question many times IF I am doing it "right" and getting it "right" for the kids.
Jennifer ~ I feel the same that there is no one size fits all answer which makes are job so much harder.
After reading the letter Steven had written to Mrs. Ginley, I had several thoughts and emotions. I connected to this story in so many ways. I could put several of my own students faces/stories in the place of Steven's. I can only hope that I have made a difference to one of those children as Mrs. Ginley had to Steven. I especially enjoyed the part where he enclosed the picture of himself in case she had forgotten him - I don't think we ever forgot "those" students.
I agree Jennifer that we never forgot BUT sometimes that personal note and picture gives you the sigh of relief so many educators need. Excellent point!
I felt a connection with Mrs. Ginley's story. Having to work with students who may be our biggest challenges can also be the most rewarding. I can recall several students whom I thought I would not survive, due to extrememe behavior issues, but remembering to start each day with a fresh attitude and continuing to try is what I did. I remember specifically a very angry, violent little boy. He never talked or smiled. But by the end of our behavior summer program, this little boy came over and sat beside me and began to talk about something he liked and gave me the biggest smile. During his story he even began to laugh a little. This was the first time anyone had seen him show signs of being happy or playful. His smile is something I took with me and still remember today.
I too felt a connection with Mrs. Ginley's story. It is so exciting to read and dream about these connections that we make with our students every day. It's just truly amazing to think about all the little lives we impact in this profession. This being my first year, I can only dream that I will have students write to me down the road and remember their time and me in kindergarten. I wrote my first grade teacher a few years back as I was studying to become a teacher. Now that I actually am a teacher, I know how special that would be to receive something like that. I think it would be awesome to get that from any student let alone a student that you helped change their life. How rewarding! I know my little gem this year has made tremendous strides and that is already a reward in itself! The unknown about what the years ahead will bring is very exciting!
In considering why we are in education, Ms. Warfield's questions on page 187 summed it up for me...."Why not? In what other job can we help improve the future, share our knowledge, and learn everyday?" Amen!
Very true! I feel the same way and this is one of the reasons why I teach because I feel like I'm making a difference, maybe not every day but I do the best I can!
I loved the cartoon described in Chapter 19 on page 176, "Stop asking me if we're there yet. We're nomads, son. We're nomads." In my teaching career I have worked with amazing educators who questioned actions, decisions, etc. and early on I used to take offense to it, however, I soon learned that this is what keeps educators moving-this idea that there is always something more to learn and more to accomplish. Because we have a new group of students each year, we must continuously ask ourselves if what we are doing is best for them. This prevents us from become stagnant but rather allows to continue seeking, as the cartoon implies. I now embrace opportunities to question what I do-doing so allows me to be better prepared to work with the individuals that I work with each day. There is no place I'd rather be than on that camel!
This was a great book to remind myself of Why I Teach. I too, knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher. I would make my sister make home made videos all the time playing teacher. In High School I had a teacher that made the stories of history come to life and I knew that I wanted to do that for my own students one day. One of my favorite quotes in book would definitely be on page 192, "When you are passionate about learning yourself, it is contagious." This could not be more true. I feel that every day I teach a lesson I have to be excited about it as well, or my kids won't be either. Like the book says "they will learn to value learning with a passion." Each day we teach and how we teach sets the tone for the lesson. If we are passionate about what we are teaching others will be too! I love learning and I hope my students see that and feel that too!
On page 184, in chapter 21, Kerri Warfield states that in her search for the answer to the question “Why become a teacher?” she needed to look at the perspectives of other educators to come to an overall conclusion that we become teachers in order to fill the “ desire to touch lives”. I think that the ‘desire’ is the hook for all educators. I have never really met a teacher who did it for ‘summers off’ or for the outstanding pay and benefit packages! I wanted to become a teacher when in the 3rd grade, I was asked if I wanted to tutor a 1st grade student in reading-which right away I saw as a way to roam the halls to another place and maybe avoid math at the time. But what it really became was that I got to touch this little girl’s life. I noticed the first time I read with her that she held her book side-ways to read it. That didn’t make sense to me. I explained to her teacher and asked if she was ‘supposed’ to do that. The teacher had not noticed it-or at least that was my perception at the time. I really felt like I helped this 1st grader. Within 2 weeks of our session, she had glasses and was holding her book the right way. I was so proud to think I played a role in helping her. So the hook to me is ‘touching lives’. I may have had other ambitions within my years from 3rd grade to college, but that moment helped direct me. It touched my life and changed me.
ReplyDeleteJan.
DeleteWhat a great story! I wish I had known what I wanted to do when I was 3rd grader! I struggled with my decision to teach all through my under grad years and well into my years as a young mom. i had a desire to help others but was terrified of the awesome responsbilty of preparing kiddos to be productive members of society! I still have those moments. In fact I think I will need to retire when I stop worrying about it because it means I don't care enough anymore!
"Why Become a teacher" was something so many people asked me going to school. After reading this book and just seeing what all of these other teachers went through: struggles, accomplisments, laughter, highs, and lows. I would have to say that this is why I teach. I have learned even this past year that I will never go a day without going through one of these experiences and it truly is making me a better teacher and individual. Why I teach: to become a better woman of God, to become a better friend, to become a better "mom", to become a better reader, writer, mathmatician, to impact lives of all those little ones. Why I teach: because I get to start all over each year and only get better at what I do!.
DeleteSo true, Karen! It is overwhelming sometimes to think about the responsibility teachers have in preparing children for adulthood! Jan, I also had experiences in elementary school that planted that seed of wanting to be a teacher. Wonder how many of those seeds we are all planting each day?
DeleteGreat point Karen...I too knew in 4th grade that I wanted to be a teacher. I had an amazing 4th grade teacher that opened my mind to so many different views of HOW to help kids.
DeleteI, too, believe that I was inspired at a very young age to become a teacher, although I did not actually decide to become a teacher until my second year of college. I had an amazing Kinder teacher who 'looped' up with my class to 1st grade. I have more memories about those two years than I do other elementary school years. Like the author in Chapter 21, I asked myself, "Why should I teach?" and answered, "Why not." I am thankful every day for making this decision!
DeleteI had a deep connection with the first teacher in section V, Mary Ginley. She talks about the profound affect ‘Steven’ had on her during the 2 years she taught him. I have at least one gem like Steven every year I have taught. Some years my gems have more carats than others. Every one of them has helped me to grow as a teacher and as a person. I find myself having to imagine what it must be like to walk in each one of my ‘Steven’s’ shoes before I can truly reach them. I have heard from a few of them over the years. Two of them even apologized to me for their behavior and thanked me for putting up with them. Others, I try to remember in my prayers occasionally that they can rise above their situations. I think my deepest admiration and empathy goes out to all my kiddos whose parents are soldiers. Even as 6 year olds they know their parents are “trying to kill bad guys.” I am amazed that they have the where with all to learn anything in their circumstances at all! If I have been able to reach any of my troubled students, it is because I remind myself that reason I am here teaching is to put my students welfare first and foremost.
ReplyDeleteKaren how true are those gems. This technically being my first year, but even teaching preschool and prek I had those gems with lots of carats lol. I have learned that I can either take it one day at a time and learn those gems and how to polish them and make them shine, or I can put the gem in my jewelry box and polish it every now and then. I have learned so much about why I need to take it one day at a time and know that if each day is new for me then each day is new for my gems!!!! I love teaching and I love to be taught by all my kids!
DeleteI loved that story about Steven and the letter he wrote to his teacher! It is those students that make teaching the most challenging, yet, the most rewarding.
Delete"Why Become a teacher" was something so many people asked me going to school. After reading this book and just seeing what all of these other teachers went through: struggles, accomplisments, laughter, highs, and lows. I would have to say that this is why I teach. I have learned even this past year that I will never go a day without going through one of these experiences and it truly is making me a better teacher and individual. Why I teach: to become a better woman of God, to become a better friend, to become a better "mom", to become a better reader, writer, mathmatician, to impact lives of all those little ones. Why I teach: because I get to start all over each year and only get better at what I do!.
ReplyDeleteExactly Trista, you summed up so well why I also became a teacher. And I'm so glad that you also chose this profession.
DeleteTrista, I'm with you and I would add that I continue to improve and move towards the person God intends me to be!
DeleteI totally agree Trista! I love that every year I get to start all over each year and only get better and with God helping me along the way anything is possible!
DeleteI related with Mary Ginley and the confession on page 169, she has "spent her entire life unsure and unsettled, never quite feeling as if she was getting it "right." I feel that way lots of times and worry about that. I think there are times in teaching that no amount of education or professional development can prepare you for. All children are different and react differently in the same situations, so there is no ONE correct answer in teaching.
ReplyDeleteI also related to this Kim, and I think it's especially true for us. Being in Special Education, things are constantly changing and thrown at us that I always find myself feeling unsettled. You are also so right that there is no one correct, fit all answer for every child.
DeleteKim I agree with you. Having taught Special Education and then switching to ELL I question many times IF I am doing it "right" and getting it "right" for the kids.
DeleteJennifer ~ I feel the same that there is no one size fits all answer which makes are job so much harder.
After reading the letter Steven had written to Mrs. Ginley, I had several thoughts and emotions. I connected to this story in so many ways. I could put several of my own students faces/stories in the place of Steven's. I can only hope that I have made a difference to one of those children as Mrs. Ginley had to Steven. I especially enjoyed the part where he enclosed the picture of himself in case she had forgotten him - I don't think we ever forgot "those" students.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jennifer that we never forgot BUT sometimes that personal note and picture gives you the sigh of relief so many educators need. Excellent point!
ReplyDeleteI felt a connection with Mrs. Ginley's story. Having to work with students who may be our biggest challenges can also be the most rewarding. I can recall several students whom I thought I would not survive, due to extrememe behavior issues, but remembering to start each day with a fresh attitude and continuing to try is what I did. I remember specifically a very angry, violent little boy. He never talked or smiled. But by the end of our behavior summer program, this little boy came over and sat beside me and began to talk about something he liked and gave me the biggest smile. During his story he even began to laugh a little. This was the first time anyone had seen him show signs of being happy or playful. His smile is something I took with me and still remember today.
ReplyDeleteBig challenges are why we're here, right Kim?!?! Problem solving and refreshing our attitudes are key to becoming happy, productive adults!
DeleteI too felt a connection with Mrs. Ginley's story. It is so exciting to read and dream about these connections that we make with our students every day. It's just truly amazing to think about all the little lives we impact in this profession. This being my first year, I can only dream that I will have students write to me down the road and remember their time and me in kindergarten. I wrote my first grade teacher a few years back as I was studying to become a teacher. Now that I actually am a teacher, I know how special that would be to receive something like that. I think it would be awesome to get that from any student let alone a student that you helped change their life. How rewarding! I know my little gem this year has made tremendous strides and that is already a reward in itself! The unknown about what the years ahead will bring is very exciting!
ReplyDeleteIn considering why we are in education, Ms. Warfield's questions on page 187 summed it up for me...."Why not? In what other job can we help improve the future, share our knowledge, and learn everyday?" Amen!
ReplyDeleteVery true! I feel the same way and this is one of the reasons why I teach because I feel like I'm making a difference, maybe not every day but I do the best I can!
DeleteI loved the cartoon described in Chapter 19 on page 176, "Stop asking me if we're there yet. We're nomads, son. We're nomads." In my teaching career I have worked with amazing educators who questioned actions, decisions, etc. and early on I used to take offense to it, however, I soon learned that this is what keeps educators moving-this idea that there is always something more to learn and more to accomplish. Because we have a new group of students each year, we must continuously ask ourselves if what we are doing is best for them. This prevents us from become stagnant but rather allows to continue seeking, as the cartoon implies. I now embrace opportunities to question what I do-doing so allows me to be better prepared to work with the individuals that I work with each day. There is no place I'd rather be than on that camel!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great book to remind myself of Why I Teach. I too, knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher. I would make my sister make home made videos all the time playing teacher. In High School I had a teacher that made the stories of history come to life and I knew that I wanted to do that for my own students one day. One of my favorite quotes in book would definitely be on page 192, "When you are passionate about learning yourself, it is contagious." This could not be more true. I feel that every day I teach a lesson I have to be excited about it as well, or my kids won't be either. Like the book says "they will learn to value learning with a passion." Each day we teach and how we teach sets the tone for the lesson. If we are passionate about what we are teaching others will be too! I love learning and I hope my students see that and feel that too!
ReplyDelete