“Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.” – Mary Tyler Moore
I've been thinking a lot lately about the Be Brave project Jessie has started. I want to join, but I need to know I can commit before beginning. Often I start something and then fade out of it, and that doesn't do much for helping me feel good about myself. It seems like it's been a really positive force in Jessie's life right now, though, and I am intrigued. Thank you, Jessie, for sharing this experience with us!
I wrote a post about Halloween last night complete with a passage of Edgar Allen Poe. Then - mysteriously - it vanished. Just a coincidence?! "Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -'Tis the wind and nothing more!'"
Ah. More beautiful rhymes in this one. I showed my students the Simpsons version of "The Raven" yesterday morning, and it was cool to see them interested. I need to work harder to find things they respect and then teach from there---
I did finally watch Half Nelson again. For anyone who hasn't seen it, it's about a teacher who has a serious drug problem and a student who discovers his secret---and then about the friendship they develop. The acting is absolutely incredible. This might seem strange, but I like this kind of teacher movie much more than I like the "Self-Sacrificing Teacher Saves the Day in a Tough School Despite All Odds and Suddenly the Students Find a Reason to Hope Again" kind. I certainly do respect teachers who have made a difference, but so often these movies make it seem so easy, like there will always be a happy ending if you're a good enough teacher. It's just not that simple in real life, for most teachers. I don't think I need to tell my teacher friends this!
Here's what I called "the quote of the day" from one of my students. Yesterday, when we were naming our favorite (most feared) scary movie characters during Advisor, the movie Leprechaun came up. After another student accused this kid of being afraid of "little people", the kid said, "I'm not afraid of little people; I'm afraid of little people with weapons!"
I thought it was great. I really do have a fun group for the first forty minutes of the day.
I hope everyone has had a good week. TGIF!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
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4 comments:
I really like what you wrote about teaching. Sometimes Chris and I jokingly picture you in some sort of a "Dangerous Minds" atmosphere. We agree that we could never do what you and Adam do...you both have unimaginable patience.
It's not like the movies and the reality is you don't if or how many children you will influence in a positive way and often the impact you make might not be visible.
It's a great thing that both of you do. You teach because you love it, not because there will be a guarantied reward.
Isn't that mysterious! How your post disappeared. Did you know that Poe's death is a complete mystery, no one knows how or why he died and he haunts his family home.
It's hard to commit to some of these challenges. Normally I wouldn't but since I'm on my own for a long time I figured it would be the best time to try.
Here's to being brave!
Laura, I just love your blog. It always brightens my day when you have a new post. I appreciate your perspective. Thank you!
"Self-Sacrificing Teacher Saves the Day in a Tough School Despite All Odds and Suddenly the Students Find a Reason to Hope Again"
Love it!!! And, it's so true of Hollywood's concept of teachers - why can't they make more movies like Half Nelson that portray teachers as REAL people, and the students who give us a reason to hope again.
Hope you are well.
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