http://www.caller.com/news/2009/jul/10/edit1_sboe_mg_friday/Gah. This is the type of crap that forced me out of education and into the unemployment line. I'm here deep in the bible belt of South Carolina where things like this happen all the time. I'm stuck with a house and no job opportunities outside of education (or inside for that matter - in part because my gov. is a moron and I'm quite sure the private school I was working at here has shared some "facts" about me with other pricipals). I was never a traditional teacher. I don't like memorization of facts and think standardized tests for subjects like English (my area) are ludicrous. I wanted my students to THINK about what they read. On day 1 in the classroom, I tell them that if they come in ready to talk about their reading assignments, then I can just sit back and moderate. I will based their grades off their defense of their views and their ability to communicate and think critically in writing. If they don't talk, I will lecture. I also told them that I was sure that they would be mad at me at some point during the year because I would ALWAYS take the role of devil's advocate if no one else would. I made it very clear to parents and students that the opinions I express in this role as devil's advocate were not to be taken as my own or as a personal attack. The contrary views were to make the students better understand their own opinions and biases about the literature. The students who did read and came in ready to speak had to defend their views with examples and connections to other things they've read. The students who thrived in this environment were students who not always students who had straight A's in previous English classes because I didn't focus on memorization.
For 8 years, I dedicated myself to the betterment of others through education. I gave my life to sharing what I know with those who could do more with that knowledge than I, often sacrificing my health, relationships, and even my sanity. I don't regret doing these things, and I am not bitter that I have done so. I have so many students that I look back on fondly and I see doing wonderful things and a ton others who have yet to make their mark on the world. I am proud of their accomplishments, both present and future, and I know that in some small way I was a part of their lives. This is the part of education that I have loved. But unfortunately my methods of delivery and attempts to change the face of education are not welcomed in the climate of education today. Education is failing our youth by forcing teachers who want to be creative and think outside of the traditional methods to either conform or leave the classroom. I've had my own experience with this very thing, and to save my own integrity and dignity, I chose the latter of the two choices.
I made a decision after this last school to leave education. I have failed to achieve the goals that I set for myself nearly 10 years ago as a college student. I was given a choice in no uncertain terms- either change my entire method and demeanor that has been successful for those who cared in the classroom or resign. The demands that were put on me illustrate the very heart of the problem with education. The poor behavior and lack of effort is no longer the onus of the children and the parents. Teachers are held responsible for things we have no control over. We are expected to teach our children character without the support of the parents. We are expected in turn to sacrifice our own integrity and accept responsibility for their failures due to lack of effort, poor ethics, and terrible behavior. These are things that I have too much pride to do. Yes, I suffer the "sin" of pride. I take pride in my work. I take pride in my successes. I take pride in my students. I take pride in their education. I take pride in my abilities as an educator. I am proud to be a teacher when I am in the classroom.
Unfortunately, I am no longer a part of the lives of the children I've cared for so deeply as much as I would like to be. I don't see myself going back into the education field until things change drastically.
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