Loving my thirteen year old pedagogical self

So, things in class got pretty heated this past Tuesday. I know I walked away pretty fired up, but the cogs in my mind were churning faster than usual. Objectifying the situation, it was fascinating seeing how the dynamic of the classroom changed on Tuesday when we disagreed on something. I mean, up until this points, we as students have pretty much been dogs on a dash board, so to speak, just kinda going with the flow of things. Sure, this could be due to the fact that we all genuinely loved the Block, but maybe there's something more...

After class, I felt guilty about my conversation with Dr. Schmidt, so I, being the "brown-noser" some of you may think me to be, decided to write Dr. Schmidt an email. But i couldn't! So i went to his office and we proceeded to have a conversation for the better part of an hour about what happened in class. I just wish to clarify at this point, especially since I have revisited the Woodford to more or less prove to myself that I am trying, that my biggest qualm with the Woodford is not the Woodford itself. Rather, looking at the book from a pedagogical viewpoint, I do not believe it best meets the needs of our class. It is a book that requires a lot of time for reflection and processing, which it seems we all don't have. But, at the same time, we can't just have a no brainer, that's a disservice to our education... and I don't know about you, but I'm not paying as much as I do to have a bird course (don't even get me STARTED on Music in Special Ed). But thinking about the situation again from a pedagogical standpoint, that was quite an audacious thing we did in class on tuesday, to speak out so frankly and passionately. I think that says volumes about our class community and the level of respect we have for each other, our careers, and (at this point, most importantly) our education (all positive reflections, of course). But go with me for a sec!!! Since WHEN did i start thinking PEDAGOGICALLY?! I have never felt qualified to think in such a manner before, and now out of thin air, here I am challenging every move Schmidty makes. AND YOU ARE TOO!!! and the best part.... THAT'S OK!!! IT'S FABULOUS!!! 

I think this is in large part due to the fact that we have all started practicum this semester. So now, not only are we students being taught at WCC, but we are also teachers teaching in REAL schools with REAL students. Being on the other side of the spectrum completely flip-flops your views, or at least mine! I have such a radically different approach to education now that I'm actually out and about... it seems like I actually CARE lol. You know the old expression "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"? I'm sure you do. and I'm sure that's what you've often thought about teaching, but now, in this unique experience called junior year, we are getting to play on both sides of the fence. so, when we're in class we're not only thinking "ok, this is how i learn," but also, "ok, this is how I would teach!" And i think this all came into fruition on Tuesday. 

I know I was pretty frustrated and turned off last class, but if we could all just take a step back and think what an awesome thing it is that we're doing, I think we could all rest easy. We're never going to get everything the first time (a lesson i still hate to admit is true), so let's try and look at this situation from a different perspective, not one that makes us feel like stupid students, but one that says "hey! you there! yeah, you with the fancy clothes! YOU look like a teacher! and you SOUND like a teacher!" 

An analogy I used with Dr. Schmidt is that I think of my pedagogical self as another person. And over the past three years I have moved from infant, to toddler, to child, and now I feel like I am in the "tween" phase. This is the point when I think my philosophy trumps all, and I challenge everyone's authority... I am in the middle school of my pedagogical self. No wonder this feels like hell! I think we are all in this weird transitioning phase, but now and again, there are glints of brilliance shining through in our class. it's very exciting stuff... i hope this wasn't a completely random tangent, and you all caught on to something from this. 

Best.