Sunday, November 20, 2011

My Life's Work

When I begin to think over the past few months about being a teacher, I realize just how vital "thinking" has been. For whatever reason I'm not the kind of person that can just do something in life. I have to think about it.

I want to be connected to the people around me. I want to live each day and go to bed each and every night knowing that I have given all that I can give and received all that I was supposed to receive.

Seeing the first set of children that I taught and sending them into kindergarten/ teaching another group for the first half of the school year, has really taught me some things about myself.

1. I am not typical.
2. I wish to educate differently and support parents as I do so.
3. Teaching a child is most effective and nourishing for the child when there is a  partnership between a teacher and parents, when the two agree to be on the same page.
4. I teach individuals.
5. It's harder to teach the way that I know I was born to when there are 22 children in my classroom, but it can and will be done.
6. I want to be the facilitator for a school someday...................................

I want to facilitate and environment where parents truly do wish to see their individual child thrive and are willing to support that education not only financially, but with their presence. I think it could be the grounds of "coming together."  A place where parents can be involved in the community of helping to teach their child. When parents leave to go to work everyday, I want them to feel as though they have left their child with members of their family, and know that their children are discovering their passions all day long.

I want the children to know how completely special they are and how what they bring into their school, no one else can. I don't want them to ever represent a number or a test score. I want to know them as Larry the amazing artist, or Kerrie the child that is a whiz with the Leggo's. I want to know them, their families, and their passions.

1 comment:

Jennifer said...

You're a special teacher, Michelle! I know you are shaping some sweet little lives to be/do awesome people/things!