There has been so much information this semester in this class, all of which I found very interesting but very condense. I feel like I missed out with not having time for all of the readings because it was all very informative and it brought up issues for me that I never even considered. It quenched my thirst for knowledge and I really loved our class discussions. I think this class should be split into two sections to ensure the students have time to absorb all of the material, and have time to philosophize on all of the inportant issues that were brought to the table. Iknow that would've helped me a lot because it was all too compressed.
When I first decided I wanted to be a teacher, the reasons were numerous. Of course I love children and I love to teach. That aside, the 6.5 hr workdays, 4 months off a year, having a schedule that coincided with my soon to be Kindergardener's schedule made it a slam dunk decision. People say teachers don't get paid a lot. I plan on getting my Master's and that salary is nearly equivalent to a $40/hr paying job. I've had a lot of crap jobs, too many to remember in fact, and I actuallly think teacher get paid pretty well considering we have off 4 months off a year!!! I never even thought of the social impact I would have, truthfully didn't even know that was an issue. So I think my main reasons for teaching were mostly about me and what fits my family's needs. I even considered working for private schools so that my son could attend at a greatly reduced tuition rate. We are moving out of the south valley next year when he starts kindergarden so he can attend better public schools than the south valley has to offer.
As far as social change? I don't see that happening on a national level. The issues surrounding this educational system of ours is so big in this country, so big that it overwhelms me. Honestly, I don't think I can make one bit of difference on a national level. I don't say this out of a defeatist attitude but more out of modesty. I bow my head to the system. I will do my best on a local level, even if that means just one student within my community. I will strive to make a difference at the local level but I feel like such a hippocrite because I will teach for the public schools but I really wish my son didn't have to atend one. So as far as social change is concerned, I will do my best at the local level but I don't see that impacting at the national level. Although I will be honest, in the back of my mind I have this fantasy of being a hard working public school teacher who has made such an impact on the local level that it does get recognized at the national level. That maybe, just maybe, I can make a difference at the national level.
The main goals for the children I teach is that they all leave my classroom at the end of the year with a feeling that someone cared for them and believed in them. That they might walk out of my room with more self-esteem and confidence, then they walked in with. I want them to know that someone cared about them and their well being. I want my impact to be that they can move on into the world as critical thinkers. They can apply what was taught to them and apply it to real life situations. They will be ableto think for themselves and not just follow rules or orders because someone told them to. I want them to question the world around them, question answers if they don't think it's the corret one. I want them to never be afraid to express their individuality, to be who they are and embrace their life, their world and realize the impact THEY make in their community and on society. I want them to love to learn, be excited about the institution of schooling, to feel that they 'get' to go to school, not that they 'have' to go to school. I want my impact to be that they can be individuals, and that their uniqueness is what is going to impact their world, their future.
I DO want to make a difference. I love knowing that I had an impact on a child's life because I rememeber how vital, how lifesaving, it was was for me when a teacher I admired and looked up to made an impact on my life.
