Teach With Your heart
We have completed the book and discussed it in class. I however do not feel that the story is complete. As we had discussed the last time in class some of us want to know what is happening to the students and to Erin today.
Erin is away at a speaking engagement when she gets the news that her dad has passed away. It took this major event for her to realize how much she had missed or given up for her teaching and for her students. I often wondered throughout the book if she was using her students to replace the solidarity she felt at home. Perhaps the connection she made with her student was made so powerful and was accomplished as easily as it was, as she herself felt as if she did not belong anywhere. She received no support from her colleagues or her husband and at first even her dad cautioned her.
Her dad became a great strength for Erin to rely on that she did not think would ever not be there. She continued to drive herself and did not deal with many personal issues at all. It was mentioned in class that there needs to be balance between ones personal life and their professional life. Some students identified with Erin as they see themselves not as a workaholic but as someone who works to cope with other stresses in their lives. I personally think that it easier to achieve balance in a relationship/job aspect after one or the other has mature. I do not think that having a new career and a new marriage or relationship blend well together. If having a career is important to you there is a chance that you will neglect the relationship and grow apart instead of together. If having a good relationship is important that your career may be neglected and not progress as you had envisioned. Erin gave up a lot in her life however she may have found the stability in her career so that now she can give a little more attention to the personal aspects of her life.
I found it interesting that in class we were judging Erin and her life as well as her book and the part of the importance of the book was that we should not judge people as it shows prejudices. Over all I liked the book, it was not however something that I would seek out to read. Due to my concentration (Special Education) I have read more books about abuse and cultural differences that actual diversity in the classroom. I will definitely take different aspects of this book and put them to use in my career.
Showing posts with label TWYH. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TWYH. Show all posts
Monday, October 29, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
TWYH
TYWH
So Erin has finally gotten a divorce. As we all saw her husband never really understood her dedication to her students and did not give her he support the she deserved. I can relate to that on some level; I am POSITIVE WITHOUT A DOUBT that everyone can learn they just have to be taught in a way that they can understand and relate to. My husband does not agree he feels that “those kids” shouldn’t be in the classroom with the other students. We have agreed to disagree; I have won him over quite a bit in the last four years. I’m not giving up hope.
The trip to Washington, was a slap in the face to Erin’s students they were disillusioned once again by prejudice. They had become such a tight group that they were able to overcome their disappointment and make a positive impact on their surroundings. They posted flyers over the swastikas and held a vigil. The whole trip was an emotional rollercoaster, including the arrival at home.
I personally felt like there was a setback, everything that this small group had accomplished and overcome and all the public is interested in is the current violent crime. Some people say we are becoming desensitized toward violence as we see so much of it in the world through the media. I want to know why we don’t celebrate the good with a new festival when it happens, as we never see it should be the biggest news story. Right?
The support the Erin gets from John Tu is amazing. I think what he gets from helping her class is more rewarding to him that they realize. I feel like he is warming his own heart by giving so much of it to those who would otherwise never know compassion and hope. Erin teaches with her heart and John Tu gives with his. I
I have recommended this book to several people including my book club. They all love it, and can’t wait to finish it.
So Erin has finally gotten a divorce. As we all saw her husband never really understood her dedication to her students and did not give her he support the she deserved. I can relate to that on some level; I am POSITIVE WITHOUT A DOUBT that everyone can learn they just have to be taught in a way that they can understand and relate to. My husband does not agree he feels that “those kids” shouldn’t be in the classroom with the other students. We have agreed to disagree; I have won him over quite a bit in the last four years. I’m not giving up hope.
The trip to Washington, was a slap in the face to Erin’s students they were disillusioned once again by prejudice. They had become such a tight group that they were able to overcome their disappointment and make a positive impact on their surroundings. They posted flyers over the swastikas and held a vigil. The whole trip was an emotional rollercoaster, including the arrival at home.
I personally felt like there was a setback, everything that this small group had accomplished and overcome and all the public is interested in is the current violent crime. Some people say we are becoming desensitized toward violence as we see so much of it in the world through the media. I want to know why we don’t celebrate the good with a new festival when it happens, as we never see it should be the biggest news story. Right?
The support the Erin gets from John Tu is amazing. I think what he gets from helping her class is more rewarding to him that they realize. I feel like he is warming his own heart by giving so much of it to those who would otherwise never know compassion and hope. Erin teaches with her heart and John Tu gives with his. I
I have recommended this book to several people including my book club. They all love it, and can’t wait to finish it.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
TWYH
TYWH
“STUFF” happened in the life of Tommy that made me think of two incidents at the local school where my children graduated. First I got a phone call asking “Why isn’t Brad in School? Is he afraid to come to school and has he mentioned any thing to you about an altercation?” I was clueless…. It would seem that my son stepped in to defend someone and the other person took great offense and threatened him with a gun. My son never mentioned it. He was on a snowmobile trip with his dad when I got the call; he didn’t mention it because he did not take the kid seriously. That was just 7 years ago.
It opened my eyes real fast, it seemed like every year it got worse and I just wanted my kids to graduate. I think that is how Mrs. G felt; she wanted them to excel but also to have a way out and an end to their own personal war. By showing them that they were as smart and as valuable as everyone else she gave them the desire to push through the hardships.
Her new connection to the parents of her students was amazing. I feel like the parents felt like someone finally cared about their children as much as they did and it gave them a new purpose and a renewed hope for the future. The pride that the parents have in their children only reinforces what Mrs. G. is trying to accomplish in her teaching.
I am a little jealous of Mrs. G.’s students with all the famous people that they get to meet, and field trips they have as well as all the celebrating. I am looking forward to re-reading the next section.
“STUFF” happened in the life of Tommy that made me think of two incidents at the local school where my children graduated. First I got a phone call asking “Why isn’t Brad in School? Is he afraid to come to school and has he mentioned any thing to you about an altercation?” I was clueless…. It would seem that my son stepped in to defend someone and the other person took great offense and threatened him with a gun. My son never mentioned it. He was on a snowmobile trip with his dad when I got the call; he didn’t mention it because he did not take the kid seriously. That was just 7 years ago.
It opened my eyes real fast, it seemed like every year it got worse and I just wanted my kids to graduate. I think that is how Mrs. G felt; she wanted them to excel but also to have a way out and an end to their own personal war. By showing them that they were as smart and as valuable as everyone else she gave them the desire to push through the hardships.
Her new connection to the parents of her students was amazing. I feel like the parents felt like someone finally cared about their children as much as they did and it gave them a new purpose and a renewed hope for the future. The pride that the parents have in their children only reinforces what Mrs. G. is trying to accomplish in her teaching.
I am a little jealous of Mrs. G.’s students with all the famous people that they get to meet, and field trips they have as well as all the celebrating. I am looking forward to re-reading the next section.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Entry #2
TYWH
“Mrs. G” helped her students even after they left her class. The dedication and caring she showed toward her students is rare today. She took them to meet people and visit places that they could not have imagined with another teacher. Her connections and her exposure through the media benefited her students both financially and psychologically. They received a sense of pride and belonging in the bigger picture. Before the only connection they had was with the violent world they braved each day.
The new students that come into “Mrs. G’s” room seat themselves in a “mirror image” of her previous class, by segregating themselves into groups. Initially she has trouble connecting with this group of students. There are several reasons that could be attributed to this. The fact that she is being more careful regarding her peers, she could be being more careful of the connection she is willing to make so she will not be hurt when they have to move on. I have to wonder if the reason was that she was treating them as she had her previous class. It took her a while to settle in and realize that they were not just like her previous students. Everything had turned out great with her other students, so I felt that she went forward without first making a connection. Once the connection was established she helped her students triumph over adversity and prejudice.
I’m still nervous about my interview.
“Mrs. G” helped her students even after they left her class. The dedication and caring she showed toward her students is rare today. She took them to meet people and visit places that they could not have imagined with another teacher. Her connections and her exposure through the media benefited her students both financially and psychologically. They received a sense of pride and belonging in the bigger picture. Before the only connection they had was with the violent world they braved each day.
The new students that come into “Mrs. G’s” room seat themselves in a “mirror image” of her previous class, by segregating themselves into groups. Initially she has trouble connecting with this group of students. There are several reasons that could be attributed to this. The fact that she is being more careful regarding her peers, she could be being more careful of the connection she is willing to make so she will not be hurt when they have to move on. I have to wonder if the reason was that she was treating them as she had her previous class. It took her a while to settle in and realize that they were not just like her previous students. Everything had turned out great with her other students, so I felt that she went forward without first making a connection. Once the connection was established she helped her students triumph over adversity and prejudice.
I’m still nervous about my interview.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Eileen Teaching With Your Heart
skip to main skip to sidebar
Eileen Teaching with Your Heart
In the first few pages we are introduced to several important characters in the book. There are situations that "Mrs. G" calls teachable moments in which she gets to know more about her students as well as link the class material to actual life experiences that her students had. When reading these passages I felt like I was there. It reminded me of the times I spent in the resource room at my local school as a volunteer. There were moments when I would experience a flash of understanding between myself and the student I was working with. During these moments I would turn the material into terms that they would be able to relate to. The best feeling in the world comes when you see their face when the get what you are trying to teach them. When the “light bulb" goes off in there head you can actual see their face glow. Reading this book thus far has reinforced the reason that I wanted to work with special needs children. Being able to help children relate to education and actually see a value in it gives you a tremendous feeling. I see what "Mrs. G" sees in her students and I want very much for them to succeed and show everyone that they are worth the effort and time.
Posted by EILEEN at 5:31 PM 0 comments
Eileen Teaching with Your Heart
In the first few pages we are introduced to several important characters in the book. There are situations that "Mrs. G" calls teachable moments in which she gets to know more about her students as well as link the class material to actual life experiences that her students had. When reading these passages I felt like I was there. It reminded me of the times I spent in the resource room at my local school as a volunteer. There were moments when I would experience a flash of understanding between myself and the student I was working with. During these moments I would turn the material into terms that they would be able to relate to. The best feeling in the world comes when you see their face when the get what you are trying to teach them. When the “light bulb" goes off in there head you can actual see their face glow. Reading this book thus far has reinforced the reason that I wanted to work with special needs children. Being able to help children relate to education and actually see a value in it gives you a tremendous feeling. I see what "Mrs. G" sees in her students and I want very much for them to succeed and show everyone that they are worth the effort and time.
Posted by EILEEN at 5:31 PM 0 comments
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)