Wednesday, October 12, 2011

What I Believe

I believe every kid in school wants to have limits. I believe every kid is capable of greatness. I believe every kid is the result of what they have experienced, which is why they don't act the same way we do -- different experiences. I believe that every kid, at the core of it all, wants to be loved...just like us. I believe in trying to find a student's 'true colors'. I believe teachers should look at the kid, not just his/her behavior.


I know I am currently failing with some students...and it's difficult for me.


I believe that the current demoralizing push to 'reform' education is actually going to drive the teachers who believe in kids to find a different line of work. We didn't sign up to attend more meetings and have our heart-felt work judged by test scores. We got in this career to change lives. Yes, there is room for improvement...nothing I have seen on the 'reform' front will get us closer to greatness.


What do YOU believe in?

3 comments:

Lisa Parisi said...

I believe it is my job to help a child be successful. I believe when a child fails, I failed. I believe that all children, with the right tools, can demonstrate greatness. And I believe, as you do, that what is happening today in education is destroying education.

Kelly said...

I believe you are correct.

Paul Bogush said...

I believe that it is my job to get kids to believe that they can do things that they did not believe were were previously possible. I believe that my weaknesses are what help my kids most. When I teach to my weaknesses, I expose my faults, I take risks, I attempt to do things I did not know I could do...when I teach to my weaknesses I can put myself into the heads of my struggling students, into the heads of my students who come to school each day carrying baggage no child should have to carry. I believe that with our shorter class periods, our bigger classes, more data to collect, and more meetings and paperwork to file that I am now relying more on my strengths to get me through each day that I am losing the connection with the kids who need it most.

I believe that one person can make a difference.

Thanks for the post Terry...and the nomination.