QUESTION:
Bev, how have you done that for 37 years?! I've only been teaching for 8 and I
feel as though I can't take it much longer. I often debate about leaving, but
that is so scary when you have taught in one place with the same people from
your student teaching on. I constantly wonder if there aren't other buildings
or districts to go to where more people embrace the same philosophy, but where
and how do you find them? Our district is making changes in the right
direction, but it's slow. It's hard to push through when as you say, you're
"stranded". I don't know where you find your strength...
MY ANSWER:
I have had mentors and "balcony people" that were vital to me, even though they
weren't around on a day-to-day basis. Books, too, and periodicals. I'm also
stubborn and persevere - and at one point had a glorious 15 year period when
nearly all of the staff here "lived the literate life" and collaborated
continuously. Now we're kind of starting a new cycle the last few years and I
can empathize with you and your question, as we're just starting to climb the
slope again. I do have a wonderful paper somewhere written by an amazing
teacher I taught first grade with for fifteen years who had come in from
another district. It's called, "Finally...I Can Leave My Door Open!"
Sometimes a person can find a better fit in another district, but sometimes we
are place-bound or there are other considerations, and we have to "create" our
literate world where we are, with the people with whom we are. I guess we can
survive for a time without thoughtful colleagues, but I'm not sure how long
that is. Teaching is just too hard alone. And mindlessness is not what
attracted us to this profession.
What worries me is two-fold, flip sides of the same coin. I worry that more
and more people shoved into thoughtless, rote programs will sink to the
occasion--and I worry that thoughtful people will run away screaming before
they give up their integrity and dignity. For the first time in these
thirty-seven years, I'm frightened for our profession. And that makes me
frightened for our country.
Bet that cheered you up, huh?
Keep smiling. Bev
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