In the Interest of Full Disclosure
In the interest of full disclosure, I feel the need to divulge a few things to the IDEA audience.
I AM a public school teacher, in a non-democratic school. Students do have a choice in course selection, but often do not receive the classes they ask for in their schedule. Kids can choose to ditch class, and face the repercussions. Students can also choose their level of engagement in each class, and to some extent the grade they will earn for the course. Those are the choices the students can make, and the extent to which they can control their experience.
As a teacher I can only allow one child to leave the classroom to go pee at a time. I cannot accept tardy passes that come from anywhere other than the front office. I must have the same percentage of points each semester from homework as the rest of the colleagues in my department. I must give the same final exam as the rest of the First Year Spanish teachers. I must call home after two unexcused absences, or after three tardies. I must cover chapters one and two first semester, and chapters three and four second semester.
If I don't adhere to the requirements, my students suffer. I refuse to make the lives of my students any harder than they already are. And, I really need an income...
So, although I can not provide my students the wonderful experiences I know my own children are getting, I do try to bring some student choice and voice into my classroom. I strive to have my students understand that they are active participants in the learning process, and that I am not the one with the answers. I want each student that enters my room to know that they are able to find answers on their own, and that real learning takes place both inside and outside of the classroom. My students should know that their thoughts and choices hold as much weight as mine.
I have a few projects set for this year that might be of interest to IDEA readers. I will document the kids' progress here, and, if they are willing, post some of their work.
I know that I am not the only public school teacher that is torn between what I want for all students...and the requirements of my job. This is not a road I want to walk by myself.
Wanna come along for the ride?
Have a great start to the year!!!
Posted in Schools on Sep 03, 2010 - 10:22 AM
I am a public school teacher. I teach First Year Spanish. I have been teaching for 15 years. I am a parent. My children are students in a democratic free school.In the interest of full disclosure, I feel the need to divulge a few things to the IDEA audience.
I AM a public school teacher, in a non-democratic school. Students do have a choice in course selection, but often do not receive the classes they ask for in their schedule. Kids can choose to ditch class, and face the repercussions. Students can also choose their level of engagement in each class, and to some extent the grade they will earn for the course. Those are the choices the students can make, and the extent to which they can control their experience.
As a teacher I can only allow one child to leave the classroom to go pee at a time. I cannot accept tardy passes that come from anywhere other than the front office. I must have the same percentage of points each semester from homework as the rest of the colleagues in my department. I must give the same final exam as the rest of the First Year Spanish teachers. I must call home after two unexcused absences, or after three tardies. I must cover chapters one and two first semester, and chapters three and four second semester.
If I don't adhere to the requirements, my students suffer. I refuse to make the lives of my students any harder than they already are. And, I really need an income...
So, although I can not provide my students the wonderful experiences I know my own children are getting, I do try to bring some student choice and voice into my classroom. I strive to have my students understand that they are active participants in the learning process, and that I am not the one with the answers. I want each student that enters my room to know that they are able to find answers on their own, and that real learning takes place both inside and outside of the classroom. My students should know that their thoughts and choices hold as much weight as mine.
I have a few projects set for this year that might be of interest to IDEA readers. I will document the kids' progress here, and, if they are willing, post some of their work.
I know that I am not the only public school teacher that is torn between what I want for all students...and the requirements of my job. This is not a road I want to walk by myself.
Wanna come along for the ride?
Have a great start to the year!!!
Tags for this entry:
learning,
choice
