The story about "Unwrapping the Holidays," by Dale Wess reflects on her difficult first year of teaching. She believed during holidays like winter celebrations, teachers should recognize all winter celebrations like Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Winter Solstice. Many teachers were against it and felt they have more than enough experience on how to celebrate holidays. But this teacher fought for what she believe in by educating teachers and children. She also tried to see both ends of the spectrum to not disrespect others. This teacher is a great example of teaching children diversity, determination, confidence, and cooperation.
When I worked at a preschool as an aide I had approached a similar situation. One incident I had faces was when a teacher made the children do an art activity on cows. She wanted the class to draw, color, and cut out a cow exactly like her model she created. When the children couldn't do it, the teacher made them redo it and help them draw it for them. After the activity I had suggested the teacher to construct free art activities that can expand their creativity. The teacher was furious we me and mention she know what she's doing and taught for years. I respected her for what she preached but I still stuck to what I believed in. So when it was my turn to come up with an art activity I had children to make a collage with different colors, textures, and sizes of paper. The children were able to create anything they wanted. The next day, the teacher made the children make puppets by coloring a lion, cutting, and pasting it on a brown paper bag.
Later I decided to speak with our director about this situation. The director agreed and decided to mention is on our monthly meetings. Some teachers took the advice and some teachers believe parents won't appreciate it their child's creative art work. On the end I believe I am one step closer to my goals on creating a appropriate learning environment for children.
Hi Breena,
ReplyDeleteThe experience you share reminded me of a similar experience I had in my first year as a teacher. I remember I was paired up with the 25-year veteran teacher as my mentor. I had to go to her classroom and observe her. While one of my observations, her kindergarten class was separated into different centers. Not a sound was uttered in the classroom besides her voice. There was one child in the home corner, buttering corn. The teacher told the child to stop making noise or he would have to sit down with his head on the table. Some teachers have a hard time seeing teaching practice beyond what they have practiced every year for many years. Consequently, many classrooms are stagnant.
I often wonder if this is related to how teachers construct their roles as teachers. Are teachers required to hold all the power in a classroom? Does this connect to how teachers trust or mistrust children? Should teaching practice stay the same and never change? What are the consequences of this choice?
Jeanne
Hi Breena!
ReplyDeleteI like what you said: “I began to come out of my shell and fight for my own and other rights. Sometimes I win my battles and sometimes I lose. But on the end I will always try to do the right thing and stand up for what I believe in.”
It’s good to hear that someone like you came out of your shell and began to fight for your own belief. I feel that, you will be an awesome “Teacher!” because of your own personal experience. You will be able to recognize and understand children who is experiencing what you went through and you will be able to help them get through it.
Hi Breena,
ReplyDeleteI love how you talked about open-ended art because coming up with art activities really gets my brain going and excites me. I've only been teaching for over a year and one of my new found pet peeves is craft. There is a huge difference between craft and art and I can't stand it when I see classrooms that have craft activities posted up on their walls.
I am also like you. I keep my mouth shut so that I don't step on anyones toes, but I am learning that the more comfortable I get around people, the more willing I am to speak up. Sometimes it's hard because working with all women, sometimes they tend to be more defensive.
Hi Breena
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog this week. My favorite part was that you spoke up and practiced what you believed was right. It must have been difficult to work with people who have different beliefs in how to handle different situations or do things. Imagine, if you had not said anything, than the only people who really miss out is the children. Times are changing and there are new studies suggesting new methods and ways of doing things. Most of the time it is very difficult to break habits that we have become used to. Some teachers may not want to change how they do things because it has become comfortable for them. All you can do it stick to what you believe and it looks like you are doing just that.
Keep up the fight.