I recently won Teacher of the Year at my school. This post is the second in a series of essays I'm writing for the state candidate application form.
Describe your contributions and accomplishments in education:
I'm a guy and I teach in an elementary school. That's not a common combination. I've been told a few times from parents at school that men don't belong in an elementary classroom. I strongly disagree.I try to be a strong male role model for my students. I contribute a certain strength to many students who otherwise don't have a positive male influence. I bring a different perspective and a different relationship to the classroom for my students.
In addition to my love of books, I also bring my passions for music and technology. I play the guitar and drums for my students and for the school. I bring new websites and technology ideas into my classroom. I believe it is vital that students see their teacher's passions and interests.
My most significant accomplishments as a teacher are the lasting relationships that I've formed with so many of my students. Learning most strongly happens in the context of relationships. My first year of teaching was a kindergarten class in 2004. Those students are now in middle school, and I am so happy that I still communicate with many of them about their lives and learning.
I know I don't need super powers to make contributions and have accomplishments in teaching. I just need to show up with skill, determination, and passion. I need to do the best I can with what I have. Many in education are waiting for Superman, but why isn't anyone waiting for Batman?
Batman doesn't have super powers. He can't fly faster than a speeding bullet or leap over tall buildings in a single bound. He's just a guy doing the best he can with what he has. He has skill, determination, and passion. I'm certainly not Superman, but I might be Batman.
Wow, Justin! Absolutely love the comparison. Most of us do try to do our best with what we've got. Wouldn't it be nice to have Bruce Wayne's money to produce the tools we need for us to do our best with our skills? I have such a visual in my head from this post. A great comic/graphic novel could be made! I definitely have Robin and Alfred in my classroom (Gotham City).
ReplyDeleteI happen to agree with you about males in elementary classrooms. We need more. I believe that children need positive role models of both sexes. And because of single-family homes often a male role model is desperately needed. Also I feel like elementary ed has become type cast. Full of women. Which then perpetuates the rise of add/adhd diagnosis. All because boys are misunderstood. Or because they are not girls. (Obviously not all female elementary teachers are like this.)
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment.
The comic book/ super hero metaphor is very rich, but it does break down with Bruce Wayne's money. That could be a great asset for sure! I like that you have a Robin and an Alfred. My team teacher is for sure a Robin figure for me.
I like your phrase "type cast." That is a great way to phrase it. I definitely relate to boys at school in a different way than most female teachers. That's why we need men AND women educators. Maybe we need more of a team comparison with the Justice League or Avengers. Where is @MrMacnology when you need him?
Pow! Wham! Boom! Sorry I'm late. I was out bustings spam-bots in chops.
ReplyDeleteI'm here now.
I've always been drawn to the "human" super heros growing up. Batman and Iron Man were always my favorite (emphasis on Iron Man).
All comics aside, I'm in education for similar reasons. I work in a Title 1 school and I see the need for strong males (especially strong males that respect women).
Somewhere through our culture's evolution, especially in areas like my own, a healthy respect for women has been lost. I think a lot of self-esteem issues that our young ladies grow up with stem from a cultural perspective and disrespect for girls and women in general. I hope that the example I set in my classroom (and expect from my male students) will help these girls understand their innate worth and importance.
Tracy also makes a good point about the ADHD over-diagnosis. I have several boys on "meds" in my classroom. We're dealing with several boys switching doses and meds. It breaks my heart. One boy in particular has just switch his dosage and for 2 weeks, he just looked sedated, ill, not himself. It tore me apart to see him that way. I'm not a doctor nor am I trained to diagnose or identify ADHD in children, but I know from my own life experiences, that meds aren't always the solution. I think that if you talk with these kids, understand what's going on in their head, and create an environment in which they can function, we can conquer most of the disruptive behaviors.
Someone just typed "iPad" in a tweet. I'm off to go smash another spam-bot. Woooooosh! (that's me flying off like Iron Man).
What a fantastic post! I am going to bookmark this post so that I can refer to it when I'm feeling defeated. Keep up the good work...you are inspiring teachers and students! msj5ny
ReplyDeleteElementary needs more strong male teachers! Glad you haven't caved into others ideals and have stayed true to your beliefs.
ReplyDeleteFirst, CONGRATULATIONS! Second, I love the last paragraph! It's perfect. And even though I'm not a student in your classroom or a parent of one of your students, I'd like to THANK YOU for being the kind of teacher all of our kids need.
ReplyDelete@ Mr. MacDonald
ReplyDeleteYour comment brought me a good laugh today. Thanks.
I hear you about the respect for women. I talk to my boys at different times of the year about situations that pop up.
I take a chivalrous approach to many things. I don't want it to be cheesy, and in 4th grade there is definitely some awkwardness.
Even in simple things. I'll tell the class to always hold a door open for people, but guys especially hold a door open for a girl. They catch a lot of what we model.
...now go bust up some Twitter spam! Ker-Pow!
Love your post! I have actually used the same analogy when asked that ever popular question during an interview, "If you were a super hero which one would you be and why?" I agree with Tracy, we need more men in elementary education. I believe that teachers should be representative of the students in their classrooms. And yes, boys are so misunderstood! Congrats on your accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteSandra, Kelly, Z, and Cindy,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your encouraging words! They are much appreciated.
First, I am definitely relieved this wasn't a "Batman is better than Superman blog." That said, from another dude in elementary school, I think the essay is great. You are right about doing the best we can in the reality in which we exist. Nice post.
ReplyDelete