In the article titled “Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education 'Story'” Thom Markham describes the teaching profession as being stuck “between inquiry and project based approaches versus testing and standards” (1). Markham explains that innovation, creativity, and desire to contribute enable people to become part of a story; unfortunately, teachers are unable to create a meaningful story because they are limited by those standardized tests, at least in our country, he adds. Markham goes on to state that teachers “are responsible for co-creating a future that no one can imagine, and helping an untested generation of youth navigate through unknown waters” (2). I believe that a teacher could either make or break a student. If a teacher has the power to reach out to at least one student, that is one person that will go on and positively affect many other lives within their lifetime. As teacher candidates, we’ve been hearing all semester long that the stakes are high in this profession, and I couldn’t agree more.
It really makes sense that this would be the last blog for the semester because Markham does an excellent job of explaining the importance of becoming part of a global network of educators. There are more important things to teach students than how to merely pass a test. Some of those things are: ending poverty, seeking fulfillment, designing a livable world, and finding decent jobs, just to name a few. I used to think that the end goal of our education system was to inspire students to go to college and further their education, but now I believe that although a degree is helpful, it is not necessary to lead a happy, successful life. What’s really important, and I tell my students all the time, is that they find something that they love and that they’re good at and convert it into a profession - something they can do that will bring them happiness and self-fulfillment. If I can teach my students to do what they love and love what they do, then I will be redefining my story as a teacher.
Markham, T. (2015, February 11). Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education 'Story'. Mindshift, 1-4. http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/02/11/redefining-teachers-with-a-21st-century-education-story/
It really makes sense that this would be the last blog for the semester because Markham does an excellent job of explaining the importance of becoming part of a global network of educators. There are more important things to teach students than how to merely pass a test. Some of those things are: ending poverty, seeking fulfillment, designing a livable world, and finding decent jobs, just to name a few. I used to think that the end goal of our education system was to inspire students to go to college and further their education, but now I believe that although a degree is helpful, it is not necessary to lead a happy, successful life. What’s really important, and I tell my students all the time, is that they find something that they love and that they’re good at and convert it into a profession - something they can do that will bring them happiness and self-fulfillment. If I can teach my students to do what they love and love what they do, then I will be redefining my story as a teacher.
Markham, T. (2015, February 11). Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education 'Story'. Mindshift, 1-4. http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/02/11/redefining-teachers-with-a-21st-century-education-story/