I have had a serious streak all my life. I grew up having to be responsible, considerate, and giving because I am the eldest of three. Now, being 22, I’m not sure I remember what it’s like to have fun, to really enjoy life. Is it possible that I didn’t come with a fun bone?
I surround myself around all types of personalities and sometimes I find myself taking the “responsible adult” role. It’s only with selective people, that I really show my “silly” side. Yet, sometimes even with them, I’m perceived as “crazy”. I hope it’s a good crazy. Maybe, I should get some clarification on that.
I remember when I was 18, my cousin said that I have a lot of growing up to do. Although, she was right, I did need to grow up, I asked her why she said that. She replied, “You have this excitement about everything” and then I lost my excitement.
I have always wanted to be a “grown-up”, whatever that means. Now that I am half way there, I don’t think it’s much fun. Who made up that rule that we had to lose excitement and be serious when we become adults? I want to know the difference between having fun and turning on the serious button. If stress, sadness, depression are all leading killers in our nation, why should we let excitement and happiness slip through the frowns of our faces?
Now, I’m going to live by the following belief: If I haven’t laughed for the day. It’s a day wasted.
New Goal: be excited, have fun, be happy. Aint’ nobody gonna’ do it for me.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Who Fought Standardized Tests?
Vito Perrone Sr. did.
Who is this man? I didn’t know who he was until I browsed the New York Times yesterday. Mr. Perrone was an activist, professor, and implementer of educational reform. He dedicated his life to leading many young teachers towards activism and opened many eyes on what policy makers really were leaving behind in “No Child Left Behind.” He inspired people like Jonathan Kozol ( one of my biggest inspirations) to write his book, Death at an Early Age. When I read this, my heart sank because not only do I want to meet Kozol, but I want to meet the person who inspired Kozol. Sadly, I no longer can.
Let’s take a moment of silence.
…wait...now that he’s gone, who’s going to fight against standardized tests?
Me?
I was waiting for you.
Waiting.
That seems like something our youth has been really good at. We’re all waiting for “those people” to stand up and say, “No, this is wrong.”
Like most famous people who pass, their songs are played for centuries to come, movies are made about them, books written, but what can I can do to continuously remember Mr. Perrone? In fact, change that previous statement: …but what can WE do to continuously remember Mr. Perrone?
Stop being silent.
Yes, I said it. Stop being silent. Stop waiting for someone else to take Mr. Perrone’s place. We are the educators. We are the ones who have to teach to the exam, show our students how to narrow down vague answers to mundane stories; we are the ones who have to teach to a system that will be forgotten every day once the bell rings at 3. What’s that quote again? If you’re silent about the things that are wrong, you’re accepting it? Something along those lines. If we only accept and complain, we might as well bow down to the system of standardized tests.
As a future teacher, I wish I knew of more people like Mr. Perrone, Jonathan Kozol, or Alfie Kohn but I don’t. Therefore I must find them in my colleagues and professors. Most importantly, I must recreate them within myself.
Who is this man? I didn’t know who he was until I browsed the New York Times yesterday. Mr. Perrone was an activist, professor, and implementer of educational reform. He dedicated his life to leading many young teachers towards activism and opened many eyes on what policy makers really were leaving behind in “No Child Left Behind.” He inspired people like Jonathan Kozol ( one of my biggest inspirations) to write his book, Death at an Early Age. When I read this, my heart sank because not only do I want to meet Kozol, but I want to meet the person who inspired Kozol. Sadly, I no longer can.
Let’s take a moment of silence.
…wait...now that he’s gone, who’s going to fight against standardized tests?
Me?
I was waiting for you.
Waiting.
That seems like something our youth has been really good at. We’re all waiting for “those people” to stand up and say, “No, this is wrong.”
Like most famous people who pass, their songs are played for centuries to come, movies are made about them, books written, but what can I can do to continuously remember Mr. Perrone? In fact, change that previous statement: …but what can WE do to continuously remember Mr. Perrone?
Stop being silent.
Yes, I said it. Stop being silent. Stop waiting for someone else to take Mr. Perrone’s place. We are the educators. We are the ones who have to teach to the exam, show our students how to narrow down vague answers to mundane stories; we are the ones who have to teach to a system that will be forgotten every day once the bell rings at 3. What’s that quote again? If you’re silent about the things that are wrong, you’re accepting it? Something along those lines. If we only accept and complain, we might as well bow down to the system of standardized tests.
As a future teacher, I wish I knew of more people like Mr. Perrone, Jonathan Kozol, or Alfie Kohn but I don’t. Therefore I must find them in my colleagues and professors. Most importantly, I must recreate them within myself.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Who Am I as a Teacher?
I've been teaching for many, many years now. Well, I've been teaching an imaginary classroom, for many, many years now. That counts as experience, right? I have also been writing since the third grade by pouring every account of my day into journals. I call them the “Felicia Volumes 1-10”. I am not the type of writer that is completely fixated on the way my sentences look. Meaning, I don't really care about grammar. I care more about how my sentences convey what I feel and how they make my reader feel.
As a teacher and writer, I want my students to gain what they can in terms of grammar and syntax but more importantly, I want them to be able to turn to writing as an outlet of emotions. That was what it was for me in the third grade, when I received my first journal from my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Shombs. I still remember her and that moment she gave me my journal to this day. I had been bullied my whole elementary educational experience and I hated going to school for that reason. Writing in journals helped me express how I felt at every given moment because it was always right there with me. That's the thing about writing; all you need are your hands. There is no depending on another person, relying on someone to pick up the pieces that seemed to break instantly in your life. All you need to do is find somewhere to write.
As a teacher and writer, I want my students to gain what they can in terms of grammar and syntax but more importantly, I want them to be able to turn to writing as an outlet of emotions. That was what it was for me in the third grade, when I received my first journal from my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Shombs. I still remember her and that moment she gave me my journal to this day. I had been bullied my whole elementary educational experience and I hated going to school for that reason. Writing in journals helped me express how I felt at every given moment because it was always right there with me. That's the thing about writing; all you need are your hands. There is no depending on another person, relying on someone to pick up the pieces that seemed to break instantly in your life. All you need to do is find somewhere to write.
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