Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Full Swing!

School is in full swing and things couldn't be going better. I have a great mentor and great students which is making student teaching a very valuable experience. I have a much deeper appreciation for what teachers do on a day to day basis. So much goes into separating a good teacher from a great teacher and only when sitting on the inside can one see the differences. Student teaching has become a rather large time commitment. The reason being that for myself, content still has to be learned as well as what questions to ask about content. I believe the questions asked of students is as essential as being a master of content. For without the proper questions a teacher cannot 'massage' the student's mind to produce a sincere, thoughtful response.
Things have been so stellar due to the great attitude of my cooperating teacher who exemplifies in every way what it means to be all about the students. He is a professional in every sense of the word, and thankfully, I believe its starting to rub off on my; the passion, the desire, the joy.
It is a deep and resounding peace that lingers within my soul knowing that the steps I am taking now are steps that will lay the foundation to fullfill the passions I have in my heart for me and my family; a passion for my wife, my students, and my God.

Thanks everyone,
Mr. C

"I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our Attitudes." --Charles Swindoll

Monday, September 03, 2007

Ready or Not, Here I Teach!

The day has finally arrived. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The school year starts tomorrow with yours truly in the classroom as a student teacher. I have the wonderful opportunity to be under the tutelage of a great social studies teacher and am truly thrilled. Student teaching doesn't come without its apprehensions though. The voices of doubt and fear rear their ugly heads in the quiet moments. Will students like me? Will they learn? Can I really teach? Will my colleagues like and affirm me? Can I handle this? You'd think the self doubt would have subsided after high school or college. Yet we all want to do well in our vocation; to excel at what we are called to do in our lives. A book that spoke volumes to me this summer as I have attempted to prepare my heart and mind for teaching is Parker J. Palmer's The Courage to Teach. Parker's take on teaching is so much more than lesson plans, best practice, and classroom management. Parker reminds us that the core of our being is where we teach from. And if our 'insides' are at an imbalance, we will teach out of that, profoundly effecting the students. Parker's book is so encouraging because he connects teaching with the spiritual and ties it into something so otherworldly. Thank you Mr. Palmer.

"There are no formulas for good teaching, and the advice of experts has but marginal utility. If we want to grow in our practice, we have two primary places to go: to the inner ground from which good teaching comes and to the community of fellow teachers from whom we can learn more about ourselves and our craft" -- Parker J. Palmer