Teaching in a Changing Society; Focusing on Poverty and Diversity

Doris Lackey Hawkins Ph.D.

• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781644684283
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Elementary Education

Teaching can be difficult on a good day. The demands are great and appear to be getting greater as the needs of students in a changing society become evident in the classroom. Not long ago, a teacher's biggest problem was trying to get students to listen and learn. Behavior issues were primarily those of disrespect and fighting. Today, a teacher's biggest concern is not just students listening and learning, and the behavior concerns are not just disrespect and fighting. Everything is far more complicated.For this reason, teachers need encouragement, specific strategies to use that work, and hope that their efforts are appreciated and effective. This book provides those elements, along with real stories depicting the challenges andhumor found only in a classroom. Each chapter concludes with a prayer for teachers to use to ask God for help and guidance in a specific area of teaching.The author speaks with authority from firsthand experience providing practical classroom suggestions to help teachers be effective educators in an ever-changing society.

10

A Defining Moment

“Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck, your profession is what you’re put here on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling” (Vincent Van Gogh Kushandwizdom).

* * * * *

Tammy was only five and very excited about being in kindergarten. Today, her class would go to music for the first time. There was so much to see in the large room. There were musical instruments, bright posters, and little chairs. Tammy’s eyes couldn’t take it all in as she followed the other children slowly filing into the room.

Immediately, Mrs. Lowman welcomed the children. Mrs. Lowman was an excellent music teacher. Her love of music, children, and teaching resonated throughout the room and in all that she did. After she shared with the children all they would be doing in music, she noticed a little going up.

Finally, after surveying everything very carefully, Tammy looked at Mrs. Lowman and spoke with wonder, “Where is your bed?”

* * * * *

Both teachers and students sometimes think the school is the where teachers live. Dedication and determination find caring teachers investing long hours and precious time away from family members to help students. Such commitment is admirable but must be done in moderation. Many great teachers have left the profession from “burn out” from trying so hard that they have depleted resources, energy, ideas, and desires. Because teaching is such a draining experience both physically and emotionally, teachers must have systems in place to replenish their energy and rejuvenate their commitment. They must take care of themselves and have a priority of God, family, self, and job. An improper order of these can result in a great loss in relationships or physical/emotional health. Support systems, proper diet, health, and hobbies are a good beginning for those who want to stay in the profession and be successful.

Teachers must face the reality that all problems will not be solved. Every child may not achieve the level of success that you think is best for the child. Do what you can to the best of your abilities. Be a lifelong learner, always striving for self-improvement and pray. When working with students, remember, when in doubt, do what you would do with your own child, always looking for what is best for the student.

In summary, focus your teaching on the following:

• Make students feel secure, respected, and appreciated. Let them know you care.
• Set up an environment that is cheerful, exciting, and encourages learning.
• Maintain strong communication between the teacher and the parents. Help parents develop a partnership with the teacher as advocates and support systems for their students.
• Let students share the responsibility of their learning. Set up academic goals that are reasonable providing success, but not making it too easy.
• Model (be cognizant of what you say and do) appropriate social interaction with students and other teachers.
  Eyes are always watching.
• Make learning fun. Incorporate food into the mix when possible. Be silly sometimes. It’s okay to enjoy the learning.
• Choose your battles (with everyone in your life). Some things are not worth the strife it will cause.
• Set up situations for laughter (at appropriate times). Perhaps, the most effective tool to decrease stress and provide enjoyment in learning is laughter. Use funny read-alouds, look for humor in everyday situations, and share those funny moments from your family with the class. It makes you human and the experience fun.

Teachers are the action that fuels change to help themselves, the students, the parents, the school, and community as they teach all types of students and as advocates of these students and their parents. Teachers can make a difference. It begins with a positive attitude that is contagious. It continues with determination and commitment. It ends with pray.

* * * * *

“Mrs. Hawkins, there is someone here to see you,” the secretary whispered over the loudspeaker. “I will send her to your room.”

In a few minutes, an attractive young woman entered the room. I stared, not certain who she was, although she looked vaguely familiar.

“Mrs. Hawkins, don’t you remember me?” the lady asked with an expression that begged for a yes answer.

“You look so familiar. Please tell me your name,” I explained.

“My name is Terri Smith,” she said with a smile.

“Oh, my goodness! It is so wonderful to see you again.”

Immediately, my mind went back years to the shy little third grader. Her adorable face was framed with shoulder-length light-brown hair with bangs that almost seemed too short. Terri worked hard, was always polite, and tried her best responding well to all of my efforts to help her excel, despite her struggle with a learning disability.

“What are you doing now, Terri?” I asked.

“I’m a teacher, Mrs...