It's tough being a teacher, sometimes feels like a very thankless job with a long road and a lot more work than was ever anticipated....but I became a teacher because I LOVE watching the learner, and I ADORE continuing to learn.....but lately, it feels like there is no love or thanks for every effort no matter how great or small. I didn't become a teacher to be thanked, no I became a teacher because I naively grew passionate about education and learning, unfortunately today's systems seem so bleak, so negative, so beyond anything that resembles learning and teaching. People are unsettled, learning is sometimes stagnant and many, I find, are just set in their ways and aiming to stay that way. I want to be the kind of teacher who thinks beyond boundaries.
I was intrigued by the TED talks video entitled "Classrooms kills creativity", it was inspiring and discouraging. I believe the educational system has made huge strides over time, yes, but still, there is the word 'system' leaving a slight distaste in my mouth. I wish I could be a teacher rebel and go against the grain to allow students to explore their worlds more deeply and fully in a more non-conformist way. How do I do this? I have contemplated removing desks, removing conventional supplies, removing the classroom altogether, THIS would be a place where learning could start. Take away my SmartBoard, take away my 1+1 equals 2, take away those uncomfortable blue plastic chairs, take me outside, take me walking and working and listening and speaking, in fact, just take me away, I wish my students had more time to teach each other....but they don't, though I try so hard to allow for these moments, the expectations on students, standards and teachers these days leave no room to breathe or think or absorb. So....the system still pulls me back to books and desks and walls and conventional structure, oh goodness, if only school meant something different, perhaps I would be more inspired, more passionate again.
