I am pretty excited about teaching my second year. I know I am still new at this career, but I don't think I want to be doing anything else with my life at this time. Teaching is a passion for me.
The reason I am beginning this blog is I want to convey, and write about my reactions, and experiences with which I am working. This week has been a good opportunity to prepare for next week, and students coming into my classroom. I will see new faces, and a few old, enter my door, and become a part of my life for the next year in my teaching.
My philosophy of teaching falls in line with John Dewey, who believed "Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself." I think it is imperative to bring in this conversation to the classroom, and make it relevant to students' lives.
Relevance should not be too difficult this year, as I will be teaching juniors. I think the challenges will be similar to last year, and I look forward to them. I will be using technology with my classes this year, to incorporate the use of writing with math, and allow students to get online to do their homework.
This week we were graced with the opportunity to see Rafe Esquith at our district's convocation. I was impressed, and enthused to see him, since I read his book, There are No Shortcuts, and wrote a report on it when I was in college. It was special that he spoke, as I remembered my late professor who taught the class, and lent me Rafe's book.
Education is a whole world of opportunities for teachers to inspire students, and get them thinking about how to think, and learn, as well as grow.
My title of this blog is teacherteachingtoolearn because I am a teacher teaching others to learn, and I am learning as well (why I have too in my title) In teaching, students, and teachers are in their classroom together. And with respect, love, responsibility, and care, steps forward will take place in that environment.
