Corrupt World?

Is it a corrupt world we live in for teachers? I don't think so. I'm ready to take on the alienated students. I want to make a difference in the lives of my students too, but I know Christenbury is giving realistic examples of what teachers face everyday. It's like any job. You have to take the good with the bad. Maybe I'm way too positive, but I think teaching will be great...once I have the hang of it. The examples Christenbury gave of the violent attitudes and actions of some of her students shouldn't be anything that different from our experiences of diversity we've encountered as students if we have been to a remotely diverse High School, in my oppinion. Being an older student might make a difference in my attitude. I have a lot of "real life" experience all ready, so I feel very prepared for teaching. It might even be easier than some of the jobs I've had, to deal with adolescents. In any case, let's not let fear get the best of us. Take it a day at a time and don't sweat the small stuff, and the big stuff will be learned.

I'm going to follow the guidelines of the contract -- with mutual respect of course. Be reasonable. Articulate. Listen. Remember. (p116) This was a great outline to begin with. The ones to handle alienated student's was also very good in giving me motivationg thoughts to handle situations; always speak to them (every day), remind them of things, contract rewards, and make deals. Flexibility in curriculum are a must! And, last but not least, structure to engage the student. I think the sad part of the alienation scenerio is that teachers do avoid them which pushes them farther "inside themselves." I wish there weren't teachers who play favorites, but I know it's inevitable because some people have very shallow minds. There are those teachers who care about people and there are those teachers who "care about the person" and I can't save the world, but maybe I can leave an impression on someone. Maybe I can shed light into the lives of a few students and help change the way their life would have been for the better. I grew up in a single parent home, so maybe I can relate to someone who is. I had friends that made the mistake of getting into the party scene, so if I can stop someone from doing it...that would be great. I'm very aware that the "at risk student could be gifted, or the average student, but have a huge heart for the alienated student.

I think I'll start by teaching them to think more critically about their decisions by what they read. And I'll do that by trying to get them to look "deeper" at the literature they read...to look beyond the surface. Then, ask them what they really see. I'm excited about teaching! That's half the battle, I think. I already think I'll love it. I totally agree with Gallagher that student's are not taught to read effetively sometimes, because they are not taught to succeed through effective evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing techniques. Maybe the new generation of teachers can change this. We need to implement brainstorming, collaborating, and revising techniques, as Gallagher suggests.

Personality will be the test. Not all students will relate to my personality type. But, I will be excited about teaching and I sinerely care about the students, so maybe they will see that I trully care about them as an individual. One thing's for sure, kids know when you don't really want to be there for anything other than the paycheck. My son, David, who's in eigth grade told me one day that very thing about one of his teachers. I told him, naturally, that he can't say that for sure and he shouldn't judge people, but he did sense that for a reason. His teacher gave the impression that they didn't genuinely care about the students.

Priscilla