I have been out of the classroom since 2009. That is a while. A friend recently pointed out to me exactly how long that is.
That same friend insinuated that other things have changed, but I am not too sure they have.
This made me wonder, have I idealized some aspects of the classroom? And if so, am I like a newly graduated education major or am I idealizing in retrospect?
I have the added benefit of teaching in four different districts, three states. While that did not feel like an advantage when I was packing/unpacking boxes, it does now. I can say that some things about students, teachers, and education are eerily similar and somethings are distinct choices made at the district/school-level.
I am sure I permanently idealize students. I did so at the start of every school year. I intentionally did not read through cumulative folders in advance of meeting them. Now I just don’t have that second month of school to jade me to personalities and choices of “my” students. But I like that state of waiting for the best from every student.
I also have my newer perspective of a district view where I can compare current techniques between schools in realtime, not over time as when I moved in the past. And in the position I have learned about best practices in blended learning, technology integration, and online content building.
So while I have been out of the classroom a while now, I evolved some of my ideas and hold fast to others.
I have been out of the classroom for a while, but it hasn’t been out of my thoughts.
I still believe student-centered is the only way to provide meaningful instruction.
I still believe every student can learn, I cannot force them, yet every student deserves to be invited to learn.
I wouldn’t be a teacher at heart if I didn’t believe I could get in any classroom and develop relationships with those kids that converts to learning.
I have been out of the classroom for a while, but it hasn’t been out of my thoughts.
2018-02-23 at 8:13 am
You’ll always be a teacher even if you’re not in practice or you haven’t been in a classroom for a while. I don’t think you’ve idealized it, times just really do change.
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2018-02-23 at 8:21 am
I think when you’ve been out of practice for a while you begin to think that the industry you’re in has a certain image. Or at least that’s how you remember it by. That doesn’t mean though that you won’t be able to adjust when you decide to get back in the classroom.
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2018-02-23 at 8:23 am
I think you’ll still do great when you return to the classroom no matter how long it has been. I imagine you never forget it. Teachers are amazing!
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2018-02-23 at 8:29 am
Everyone can learn. Might not be at the same pace. Might take different kind of teaching. Don’t think things have changed that much.
2018-02-23 at 8:42 am
I have been in a classroom for all that time and things have definitely changed. More is expected of students and they seem to be coming in less prepared with more adjustment issues. I love that you have such a positive outlook on teaching…best of luck.
2018-02-23 at 9:12 am
Wow 2009 doesn’t seem like that long ago but when you add up the years it really is. Time does fly by! I agree with you on the student centered approach. It is unfortunate so many school districts have such large class sizes now. For an economy that relies on a highly educated and skilled workforce seems like we are regressing when it comes to providing the resources and learning environment for educating our youth. Hopefully people will begin to support investing in public education again!
2018-02-23 at 10:42 am
I really appreciate your view that teaching must be student-centered. Indeed every student has some strengths and weaknesses and a good teacher works with them.
2018-02-23 at 3:49 pm
I think you said the very thing I want to hear as a parent is student-centered. If you have that down, I think you can help them move up from where they are at. They might be at different pace than their classmates, but as long as they are making progress, I think that’s all that matters when it comes to learning. Of course, this has nothing to do with testing…just learning and making it individualized.
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2018-02-23 at 4:31 pm
I’ve had experience in the classroom as a paraprofessional. I worked with elementary aged students for years, until I pulled my daughter from school to homeschool. I truly because that student centered is the way to teach. My daughter has picked up so much more learning what she is most interested in.
2018-02-23 at 5:04 pm
I agree about student centered approaches. And I don’t know that the industry has changed that much, but just the way you remember it changes.
2018-02-23 at 7:15 pm
I have been out of the classroom for a long time now. But it definitely stays in your mind.
2018-02-23 at 10:13 pm
My husband was a teacher for three years. It has been awhile since he has been in the classroom but he is still a teacher at heart.
2018-03-18 at 2:03 am
Debra you’re right, a teacher will always be a teacher. out of the classroom or not by at heart.
2018-02-24 at 1:02 am
I believe learning should be a continuous process, whether it be in a classroom setting or self-study. There may have been changes to the way lessons are being conducted, but as long as you have your goals in mind, every day will be a fun learning experience!
2018-02-24 at 7:39 pm
Being a teacher is so noble in my opinion. I know I don’t have the patience that teachers do so I respect all the teachers out there who are so passionate of what they do.
2018-02-24 at 8:04 pm
My mom was a teacher – she is now retired. She took a break for a while when I was born but it was fine for her to get back to teaching.
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2018-02-24 at 10:03 pm
The impact you made on the lives of the ones you taught is always worth more than not being in a classroom anymore. You are an amazing teacher.
2018-02-24 at 10:05 pm
I am so happy to see that you didn’t treat them like numbers, but as students. You continued to grow, even out of the classroom; and that says a lot.
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2018-02-24 at 11:02 pm
I agree that every child should be invited to learn.
My mother is an Aid in a classroom, and no matter how much she may get stressed out by her job, I know she’d miss it if she left.
2018-02-25 at 10:06 am
I bet it is kind of like riding a bike. I bet you’d do just great! I know a couple teachers who have taken time off (some even years) and gone back into it and it was just as great as before!