Instead of doing a “Best of 2010,” as I’m not sure why anyone would care and it seems a bit presumptuous of me to assume anyone would care (though I am a blogger and that seems to indicate otherwise!); Nonetheless I decided to simply reflect upon this past year of teaching, one that might include having taught my last AP U.S. History class. (Which ends this May).
As I have stated year in and year out as a teacher, today’s kids are just as motivated to learn as kids 50 years ago or 20 years ago! Are there kids who have checked out? Sure, but I can’t sit here and tell you that when I was in school in the 1980s that we were better educated and taught by better educators; simply not the case. Are there bad teachers? Sure, and yes some do try to indoctrinate their students. I have addressed the issue of Teaching for Social Justice all year and will continue to do so. I have also found one person’s view on what makes a good teacher. I also liked looking at the progress of the Historical Profession as well. For future educators and students, I liked the idea of using the iPad to enhance learning.
One thing I think I do a good job of is engaging my students. I have a sense of humor and allow it to come out (never force a sense of humor, you either have it or you don’t) and when you can either get students thinking or laughing, then, for a brief moment, you can trick them into learning. I’ve talked about how counterfactuals and Historical Contingency can impact learning.
This has been a challenging year for me and for various reasons: First) Time, I am in the final stages of my Masters program, I also coach football in the Fall for my son’s HS team and we had a great season making it to the “Elite 8” in Colorado. [photo left is my son, he plays Center]. However, leaving the house at 6:30 AM and not returning until 7:30 PM was a challenge (then from 8ish to 11ish school work) ; Second) Teaching, not sure I enjoy AP U.S. History, especially the way the “administration” wants us to teach it. We’re facing more budget cuts, which means pay cuts, job cuts, and from what I hear, 33-35 kids in a classroom. The life of a Public School Teacher!
As for APUS, I’m not sure I want to teach it right now. I enjoy my U.S. Studies and International Forum courses, which are electives. I can design the curriculum and determine the pace, that’s a big plus. U.S. Studies is early American history through the Civil War and I can do so much more with it and not feel like I am in a race. International Forum is a change of pace class that takes students outside of the United States (it is really more of a seminar the way I can present it) and challenges kids to see the world from a perspective that is not always presented to them. Is it simply prestige that drives me to teach AP? Maybe. I do not know what next year holds, but whatever way it goes I will take the challenge.
What it comes down, ultimately, is what happens within those four walls, to be a teacher is about letting go of all the B.S. and just do the best you can with those 30+ kids. Hope this finds you all well and Happy New Year!
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