Still "Lilly-ized." Lilly, like any retreat, always lingers within me for some time. Anyway, someone at the conference asked me after my session, "T.U.I.: Teaching Under the Influence," why do I always emphasize my "Teacher's Oath" in my pre-conference workshops and conference sessions. My reply was simple. "I've been handing out copies and discussing it wherever I go and whatever I do since I composed the Oath two years ago. I wish everyone would not just read it, but take it to heart. It's not just at the heart of education, it is the heart of education. Like I've always said, if you want a truly successful 'career' in teaching, you must be a 'care-er' unconditionally and constantly 'carefronting' each student. Taking and living the Oath each day helps you help yourself do just that!" I told that person that for a longer answer she would have to go to the ten part Random Thought series I wrote about the Oath back in October and November, 2011. Then, I went on to say that, in a nut shell, after long and deep reflection, I wrote the Oath in order to be consciously intentional. I created the Oath to be a purpose driven "why" of the "what" and "how." I created the Oath not to say something, but not to remain silent. The meaning of the Oath is both to believe one thing and disbelieve another. It is a guide to do one thing and not another. It is a catalyst to be active and not be reactive. It's a daily exercise program to keep you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually trim. The Oath is about how to be a teacher and not about how to teach. The Oath is designed to show you who to be and not what and how to do. It is a lens to focus sharply on the inner person and blur the other outer things. It is statement of the principles that guide the teacher and not the processes, methods, or technologies that guide the teaching. The Oath, then, is a map to help stay the course and stay on course in any course without wandering or getting pulled off course. I guess, in the long run, it is a sustaining article of faith, solemn promise, binding declaration, unhesitating commitment, unswerving responsibility, permanent obligation, and, above all, a long term call to action. That is important because the long term by definition lasts longer.
Make it a good day -Louis- Louis Schmier http://www.therandomthoughts.edublogs.org 203 E. Brookwood Pl http://www.therandomthoughts.com Valdosta, Ga 31602 (C) 229-630-0821 /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__ / \ / \ / \/ \_ \/ / \/ /\/ / \ /\ \ //\/\/ /\ \__/__/_/\_\/ \_/__\ \ /\"If you want to climb mountains,\ /\ _ / \ don't practice on mole hills" - / \_ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=30959 or send a blank email to leave-30959-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
