Here we are at the end of our journey and we have explored and learned so much. I sit at my desk and beside my computer is a tiny thimble that used to be my grandmother’s. My grandmother Grace Ott West was a teacher just over 110 years ago. I guess the thimble reminds me that I am in a long line of educators. But - more so - the thimble reminds me that there is SO much information to learn about teaching that - even after 43 years of teaching…even at the end of an important long semester in the credential program - I have only filled just a tiny bit of my thimble of knowledge.
One of the things I adore so much about being a teacher is that I am always, first and foremost, situated as a learner myself.
Don’t ever get arrogant like you know all there is to know. Be humble. Be hungry.
But also, beware and be critical. There are always those that want to tell us what to do. There will always be those that say, “Not that way, but this way” even though they have never stepped inside a classroom.
Teaching is a political act.
Oh yes it is!
So we close our time together with some exploration and refleciton on this. First, let’s read Flores & Garcia’s article A Critical Review of Bilingual Education in the United States: From Basements and Pride to Boutiques and Profit. It shows some history…and also the tensions around how poltical education is for us.
Lastly, read my own piece written from my experience here at CSUDH in teaching a methods course - Teaching as a Subversive Act.
Education is a practice of freedom.
Education is a practice of freedom.
Education is a practice of freedom.
Education is a practice of freedom.