[MOSAIC] AR/Elaine, OT

[Joy]

Elaine,
  You bring up some pretty interesting points, and as I think back to my days in college, we were challenged to think beyond our comfort zone. Lit classes in the English department were the best, because we got to discuss what we were reading and thinking. (Great models for me!) In all my classes we had many many projects to design, and we worked collaboratively, too. (Not just in the Ed. department, but throughout the college.) I was very lucky to have some awesome professors in that respect. They also had us constantly reflect, which seemed like a pain at the time, but in retrospect I'm glad they forced this. (A nod to Dr. Beth Weir, who told me I'd say this one day!)
   
  I still feel that I could have used more practical classes on teaching reading and writing. So much time was wasted on theories, I needed at least one class focused on the nitty gritty practical side of teaching reading and writing. (Books like MOT, STW, were mentioned, but only in passing.) I'm not sure why this wasn't a part of our training. Maybe they thought we'd have lots of support when we got out in the schools. (LOL!)
   
  The thing that helped me the most was joining discussion groups and listserves like this one. I happened upon them quite by accident while searching for lesson plans. This group in particular has been the guidepost for my learning. Having a safe place to ask questions and share is particularly rewarding. Being able to interact and get to know such awesome teachers as the members of this list has been invaluable. Interaction between colleagues is important, but all too often our workplaces keep us in isolation. We need more time together to collaborate, conspire, copy, and steal from each other. We need more time in each other's classrooms, and we need to feel safe to take the leap. 
   
  Keep on pushing yourself, Elaine. New teachers need to experience this. Even if they seem reticent; because the more experiences they have like you describe, the more likely they are to try them. If you were to ask my math methods professor, she would tell you that I was one of the most reticent students she'd ever had, but she kept insisting that I try what she suggested, and I came around. Now I love teaching math, and it's because I'm applying what she taught me. BUT I HAD TO EXPERIENCE IT TO CHANGE MY BELIEFS.
   
  Professional development presenters need to understand this too. If they want us to buy into the training they are giving us, then they need to immerse us into what they are teaching. I attended an institute at Duke University last Monday where the presenters needed to heed this advice. Can you imagine a lecture hall of teachers round robin reading folktales? We did other things, too, but every professor had us round robin reading at some point. ARGH!
   
  Well, my carpal tunnel is acting up, so I'll get off my soapbox! Sorry to go on so, but as you all know, once I get started . . .
   


                Joy/NC/4
  jwidmann at rocketmail.com
  How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand in hand. http://www.responsiveclassroom.org
   









       
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