I love trying out new things in my classroom. I enjoy reading professional literature, following education professionals leading the way on Twitter, and collaborating with teachers around the world. Like any curation website or meta-search engine, I feel that it's important to analyze and synthesize what I learn from others and spread that knowledge to those who eagerly await it. It's not enough that my students benefit, I want scores of students to benefit.
That is why I take the time to post my learning and experiences on my website. That is why I promote my website on Twitter. That is why I go into other teachers' classrooms and demonstrate lessons. That is why I lead free or minimally-paid professional development workshops. I want to share my learning and experiences with others so they can analyze it, tweak it, dismiss it, improve it, argue against it, be supportive of it, and push their thinking (and mine) because of it.
That is why I take the time to post my learning and experiences on my website. That is why I promote my website on Twitter. That is why I go into other teachers' classrooms and demonstrate lessons. That is why I lead free or minimally-paid professional development workshops. I want to share my learning and experiences with others so they can analyze it, tweak it, dismiss it, improve it, argue against it, be supportive of it, and push their thinking (and mine) because of it.
Credit: http://timkreider.com/ I read this interesting article online thanks to a retweet by a Twitter colleague of mine. The author of the article is Tim Kreider (see details to the right). Both his article and the comments of his readers that followed focused on the fact that writers, artists, musicians, etc. are often asked to speak or practice their craft for free. Whether it be for charity events or grand openings, classrooms or newspapers, they are often bombarded with requests to give of their time and talents for free.
The author sarcastically wondered why his sister, the pulmonologist, was never asked to do a lobectomy for free! It doesn't seem fair that some people place so little value on an artist's time, but never consider making the same requests of a doctor.
The article ends with a strong plea that writers, authors, actors, cartoonists, stop giving their work away for free:
The author sarcastically wondered why his sister, the pulmonologist, was never asked to do a lobectomy for free! It doesn't seem fair that some people place so little value on an artist's time, but never consider making the same requests of a doctor.
The article ends with a strong plea that writers, authors, actors, cartoonists, stop giving their work away for free:
So I’m writing this not only in the hope that everyone will cross me off the list of writers to hit up for free content but, more important, to make a plea to my younger colleagues. As an older, more accomplished, equally unsuccessful artist, I beseech you, don’t give it away. As a matter of principle. Do it for your colleagues, your fellow artists, because if we all consistently say no they might, eventually, take the hint. It shouldn’t be professionally or socially acceptable — it isn’t right — for people to tell us, over and over, that our vocation is worthless.
- Tim Kreider
That got me thinking, "Why do I blog? Why do I tweet out my ideas and lessons for free? Why do I collaborate with teachers on Google Hangouts who I've never met? Why do I help other teachers who promise nothing in return?"
Well, certainly it's an ego boost. I get something out of the compliments and appreciation that others give me. But is it enough to sustain the amount of work that goes into it all? After all, I have no desire to leave the classroom, so I'm not campaigning for a job anywhere. (I've worked in the same building for my entire 15 year career.) I am not an overly-confident public speaker, so I'm not trying to launch a career doing professional development seminars. (Although I have recently enjoyed becoming a "Teacherpreneur" -- getting out of the classroom occasionally to help small groups of teachers in a specific area.)
I guess I could blame this all on my National Board Certification. After all, that's the reason why I've become such a reflective practitioner -- always looking back and wondering how I could have improved a lesson or helped a child better. Blogging is quite reflective. Putting my lessons online forces me to look at them again and again. Looking at my students' work makes me re-evaluate each task's purpose. But do I do all this work just because I'm a perfectionist trying to make every lesson perfect?
I really think that I put so much time into my website because I want other teachers to see how much fun it can be in their classroom! I went into teaching hoping that I could take the job of one bad teacher, a teacher who didn't care about their kids, who just pushed worksheets and gave tests. I wanted to show my students, their parents, and other teachers that school could be a place where children were excited to come! And at times, I've been able to do that (when district initiatives and my own insecurities didn't get in the way)!
Today is one of those times. I want the world to see what education, at least in fifth grade, could look like. I want people to see that children can be trusted, rather expected, to take ownership of their learning when the classroom environment supports it and provides assistance towards getting there. Teachers shouldn't be afraid of encouraging students' passions in the classroom. These passions can lead to purposeful learning, stronger student-teacher partnerships, and higher motivation.
I wish that all teachers would spend some time sharing what they know to be good teaching (because Lord knows there's a million right ways to teach!!!). What works for you? Who can you share it with? If you're worried about blogging and having no one read it, tweet it out and ask for re-tweets! I always re-tweet blog entries that I find valuable (@PaulSolarz)! Help teachers around the world make learning enjoyable for their students! Help teachers prepare their students for a world that is constantly changing!
I understand the plea of the artist and the author, but teachers are not paid for each piece of art we produce or each story we write. Our salaries pay the bills. We can freely share our ideas and no one suffers from it.
Be generous, and share your work for free!
Today is one of those times. I want the world to see what education, at least in fifth grade, could look like. I want people to see that children can be trusted, rather expected, to take ownership of their learning when the classroom environment supports it and provides assistance towards getting there. Teachers shouldn't be afraid of encouraging students' passions in the classroom. These passions can lead to purposeful learning, stronger student-teacher partnerships, and higher motivation.
I wish that all teachers would spend some time sharing what they know to be good teaching (because Lord knows there's a million right ways to teach!!!). What works for you? Who can you share it with? If you're worried about blogging and having no one read it, tweet it out and ask for re-tweets! I always re-tweet blog entries that I find valuable (@PaulSolarz)! Help teachers around the world make learning enjoyable for their students! Help teachers prepare their students for a world that is constantly changing!
I understand the plea of the artist and the author, but teachers are not paid for each piece of art we produce or each story we write. Our salaries pay the bills. We can freely share our ideas and no one suffers from it.
Be generous, and share your work for free!
RSS Feed
