3 Weeks in the Trenches

Woah. I'm here.

Originally the title of this blog was "1 week in the trenches" . . . but obviously I didn't get around to publishing till now. Teaching at an elementary school in an area riddled with poverty is not easy. Of course it is not easy. The reason I signed up through Teach For America was to get into a classroom and see first hand what was happening in struggling public schools. I have done a little writing and thinking about education and "reform" and all that, but I've always known I could never understand or make a meaningful difference in the field of education if I didn't get into the trenches at least for a while. I wanted a first hand experience.

And now I am getting it.

So far, six lessons have been injected into me through my short experience as a 2nd grade teacher thus far:

1. There is so much more to public school than academics
2. Teachers actually are superhuman
3. Self control is the gateway to service
4. Teaching is about finding the sweet and tender balance amidst insane chaos
5. Educational technology is cool, but is it possible the field is turning a blind eye to the biggest issues?
6. Continued raw failure is the essential attribute of true learning  

If you are a current teacher, or have taught before, you may be holding back a knowing smile. I'm sure I sound like a really silly kid who thinks he has figured it all out. While it is true I am a rather silly idealistic kid, it has never been more clear to me how little I actually know.

In my next posts I will expound on the six points above. As I reflect on what I am learning and thinking I invite you to share your questions, comments, or your own reflections on education so we can learn more together.

Teachers Learning, Learning Teachers

In the midst of trying to learn how to be a better teacher, I realized today that I have forgot one important thing: the best teachers are the best learners. In this little summary from BYU's Center for Teaching and Learning, the point is made; "We can become better learners, and by being better learners, we will be better teachers."

The days are incredibly full here in Tulsa, OK where I am teaching entering 1st graders a short summer school class with a focus on the basics of math, reading and writing. Not only do we teach but we have lots of sessions to listen to, work to complete, and reflections to reflect. Today was a little different for me. One of the sessions was all about helping students learn about the writing process and to do so our trainer had us quickly go through the process by writing a poem. 

It has been a long time since I have written a poem. It was a really fast, but wonderful experience! Here it is. 

 HOME 

I am from -- Provo. 

Where mountains reflect,

the open space is clear,

strong and familiar are the snowflakes.

Sleeping sunshine talks, and whispers. 

Music moves from the piano,

praying peace into the safe, studious halls.

Scents of curry, or warm bread

comfort and secure me.

Home.

My school and my church. 

This is a very rough poem, and I am the first to admit it doesn't really have form or conventions. It took maybe 6 minutes to go through the whole writing process on this because we were being pushed. But I was learning! I had an excellent experience of brainstorming, prepping ideas, revising, editing, and now "publishing" my work. I felt a renewed desire to be a better teacher and to help my students feel a similar joy of writing. 

How often do we as educators take the time to learn or try new things? To keep relevant and influential I think this is a critical thing I must keep doing. If we are better learners, we will be better teachers.