Do you have passion?

So often we lose sights of why we do what we do, or why we fight so hard for what we believe in. We wonder is the end result really worth all of the stress we put ourselves through? I believe, that all the blood, sweat, and tears, that we put ourselves through is worth it at the end of the day, when we see a classroom full of successful students. The good out ways the bad any day, and the successes in a child is by far the greatest fulfillment an educator could have, at least in my opinion it should. I realize we all face difficulties, such as challenging students and burn out, but doesn't the passion and excitement to educate motivate you to keep going? I am very new to the world of education, and some may call it being naive, but I call it having passion. When your having a bad day, feeling over worked and burnt out, I challenge you to look into the faces of the children you teach, and ask yourself, is this few minutes of upset really worth it, especially when you see the passion you've created in their faces!

Inspiration

According to Merriam Websters Dictionary, inspiration is defined as, "a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation." I think inspirations means exciting someone to be and do better, and there is nothing more inspirational then a teacher in my opinion. I have got the great privilege to be inspired by three great teachers in my life, two teach at South Alabama, and one was a High School science and English teacher. Mr. Cook, was my freshman year biology and English teacher. I think the reason he was so inspiring to me was because he encouraged my creativity, and allowed me to express myself in a fun way. Our class was always doing fun projects, playing games, and challenging each other, to enhance our learning. Everyday, I could see and hear how excited he was to be in class and interact with his students, his passion for teaching instilled in me a passion for learning. The other two inspirational teachers in my life are Dr. Danneker, and Mr. Sullivan. Both teachers have inspired in me a passion to do better and do good for those who need extra help, for special education children. I've had the privilege to be in Dr. Dannekers class and listen to how passionate she is about helping special education children, and how happy it makes her. Seeing the spark that lights up her face when she teaches, inspires me to want to be that positive influence in another students life. She has made such a difference in the live of so many, that I too want to make a difference. My feelings about Mr. Sullivan being an inspiration are feelings that are shared by so many! Mr. Sullivan is a motivator when things seem to fall apart, and a true advocate to teach others to help one and other. He is always there to lend a helpful had or an encouraging word, and when you ask him about what he is truly passionate about, his face lights up as well. The things that make me want to be a teacher and make a difference are the same passions that these three teachers radiate in their classrooms everyday. Making a difference is what these three teachers do, by encouraging, motivating, and creating a learning environment that challenges you as an individual and as someone who is a part of team. I feel like I am truly luck to have been influenced and inspired by such incredible people. I challenge you all to find someone who inspires you and motivates you to be better, "then you were the day before."

Motivating Students and Parents

As a teacher or a future teacher it is our job to make a difference in our student lives. It is our responsibility to allow our students to be creative and allow them to express themselves, it is our responsibility as well to do everything we can to gain parental involvement. I'm very concerned with the amount of parental involvement that I see in schools now days, and the line of separation between teachers and parents. It is in my opinion, and maybe I'm wrong, but I still cannot help but feel that parents and teachers should work together and build a learning community for their children together. We seem to live in a society where parental involvement is at a minimal, and I am very confused as to why! When I was younger, you couldn't get away from parents, they were everywhere, and now I hardly see them, and I worry that it is because of the attitudes that teachers and faculty. Being a teacher at times can be misinterpreted by stepping into a dictator type role, but that is not the case. I believe when you take on the responsibility to educate people you are taking on the responsibility to educate in creative enthusiastic ways, that motivates the students and parents to get involved. We are there to motivate both, not boss them around. We are teacher not dictators! My question to you is, how can we as a teaching society, motivate our students and our parents?

Will you rule your classroom, or will your students?

It always amazes me when I enter a classroom to see the dictatorship teaching styles that most teachers have in relation to their students. The student walks in the teacher lays down the rules and when the allotted time is up the student leave normally irritated and without learning anything new, in many cases the student feels overpowered, like what they have to say is irrelevant, and that they are being talked down to because they are, "just the student." In my opinion teachers and students should have an open relationship embracing the opinions of each other, know that both sides have something great to offer. I believe that a teacher should be there to monitor a classroom, but not rule it. We are here to educate our students, which means we need to conform to the ways that they learn best. Assuming that our way is the best way is doing a complete disservice to the student and to yourself. I think that the only way for us as educators to send successful students out into the world is by letting them take charge of their education and run with it. By doing this, I believe that students learn responsibility, confidences, leadership skills, and untimely feel empowered but what they themselves have accomplished. Teachers are supposed to be admired for what they do, not feared. Be the kind of teacher that allows your students to control how they learn, empower them and make a difference.

Keeping your Expectations the same....

Being in and out of a classroom all semester has opened my eyes to a world of low expectations when it comes to teaching? What happened to living in a world where you were pushed till you were about to break, but the reason they pushed so hard is because of the strong belief teachers had in you to succeed? This semester I was in and out of many different classrooms, and I'm ashamed to admit that most teachers bypass those students who have any type of disabilities instead of embracing them. While doing different service hours I was told by countless teachers, "oh don't worry about that one, he/she is slow, so we just let 'em do their own thing." I think the first time I heard that my eyes about popped out of my head. I was bewildered to say the least. What are we teaching our peers and our students if we don't take the time and create high expectations for all of our students? Just because a child has a learning disability doesn't mean we as educators have the right to pass them off like they don't matter. It is our responsibility and should be our privilege to educate them and hold them to the same high expectations we hold all of our other students too.

Doing it is the BEST way to learn!

As a future Special Education teacher I find myself always searching for new ways to better understand what my students are going through. I feel that I cannot properly help or educate them if I myself don't fully grasp what they are going though. I believe that this is something that all people, no matter what walk of life they come from, should attempt to do. One of the opportunities that I was fortunate to encounter this semester was an activity that took you thought different disabilities. In this activity you had to maneuver yourself though a building when sitting in a wheelchair. The requirements were that you went in and out of the front doors, went into the restroom, attempted to wash your hands, and just partake in day to day activities to see what it would really be like to be in a wheelchair. We did the same things while being blindfolded to represent what it would be like to be blind. Other activities that we did was attempt to write and draw simple lines while looking in a mirror to represent what it would be like to be dyslexic, piling about five very thick socks on our hand while attempting to pick up different items such as a pencil or a paperclip to represent the lack of fine motor skills. At one point we were not allowed to move any part of our body and had to attempt to type and write our names buy using tools with our mouths to signify what paralysis would be like. These really are just a few of the outstanding activities that we got to partake in. After this exercise I was so overwhelmed with so many emotions that I wasn't sure to laugh or cry, but after having a little time to reflect this activity is something that I would love to start in schools all over the world in attempts to better educate others on what it is like to be disabled. My hope is that if others can experience this even for a short amount of time they might have a better understanding and be able to help make accommodations for their students. Although most of us will never fully understand what its like to be disabled in one way or another, maybe by participating in an activity such as this, it will help eliminate a lot of the bias' put on those with disabilities and create a more accepting world.