I have to say, today was a bit of a tough day for me. Almost at the half-way point, brain filled with new knowledge, revisiting old knowledge, and acknowledging that it is about to be bombarded with even more knowledge yet!
During the lecture today, I could physically feel my brow furrowing and my brain pumping. Jenny, it was so inspiring to see you so passionate about what you teach. Sometimes I get excited and jump and scream with the kids – especially when I find a super awesome new book or story to share with them. It is that kind of energy, passion, and true excitement about learning and education that carries our students along with us.
When I was hired for my 4 month library position at the beginning of March, I was told that although other candidates had more experience than me, none had the same passion and excitement for the job. This true passion and excitement for learning and teaching got me the job! I felt so amazing hearing that, because it proved to me that there are principals and teachers out there who value those things over simply looking at years of experience on a resume. And, for a starting teacher in a competitive job market, this added a shimmering ray of hope to my sometimes cloudy skied outlook when it comes to teaching jobs.
While on the job, I was observed three times by my vice-principal. Upon hearing her comments, I was surprised and pleased to hear her say that she had learned from me. She: a well seasoned and intelligent teacher had learned from me: a beginning teacher with less than five years under my belt. Hooray! The fact that she was even open to learning from someone so her junior was wonderful. And of course, it was a huge confidence booster for me. I hope that many teachers have that outlook (and I know that we all do in this class). For to learn from each other and teach each other is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Cheesy I know, but I really believe that.
Well, I think that’s all I have in me for today. I’ve never been so short-winded. Must be bedtime.
And in honour of bedtime, and books:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yu_g5x3ZoQ
(my favourite is the bowl of mush)
I know it is tough to wrap our brains around new concepts, terminology, and ways of thinking about our world. But, if we are really going to effect a change in the destructive course of human history, that is exactly the hard work we have to undertake. A big part of my research is looking at the possibility of leadership for educational cultural change coming from new teachers entering the field. I imagine a new teacher as a vector of new knowledge, new conceptions, new practices, able to influence calcified educational cultures in schools, “We have always done it this way (and we aren’t about to change because government is issuing a new policy or there is new technology to contend with).” I think there is a lack of energy and passion in the field of education because there is a history of teachers having to subjugate their real interests and enthusiasms to comply with institutional dictates. Well, there is a great change underway because the way we have done things is patently erroneous and we must change. It is a great time for new teachers with a vision and commitment, to facilitate change. In order to do that, we have understand how things have been organized and perpetuated through relationships. And then we can understand how we can influence change, through the kinds of relationships we foster and sustain. This is where digital technology can play a critical role. It amplifies our ability to communicate and form productive relationships.