my-blog

Inclusion is not Intrusion...

Sat, 12 May 2012 04:17:05 +0100

Today I received a troubling phone call from the counselor at my daughters middle school. The topic was a classmate of my daughters and that classmates recent participation in chat rooms that are geared towards older kids. The concern came from the age of the young man this classmate has been video chatting with, and the possibility that some inappropriate behavior has been taking place behind the scenes. He is 16, she is 13.

Apparently this young ladies mother is aware of the chat, but not aware of the inappropriate behavior. My daughter and several other girls went to the counselor to discuss the issue and express their concerns for this classmate, (and friend I assume). At least one of the young ladies witnessed some sexual innuendo between the chatters.

Now, I am not one for lording over my children, and I do not feel the need to watch their every move online. I do periodically check the browser history and my children are required to post their log in names and passwords on a little board I have hanging above the computer. This little tidbit alone works wonders when it pertains to their online behaviors. They know I can easily access their accounts and have a look through, but I seldom do, because they keep it clean knowing they will lose all internet privilege if they do not.

With all of this said, I believe we could curb the inappropriate sexual pursuits in our children if we were more willing to include them in conversations about sex and sexuality. Why are we so afraid to teach our children about sex? It seems absurd to me that we trust others to teach them about sex more than ourselves. It is my firm belief that we should have these conversations with our kids long before any educator does. I have never skirted the issue when I am questioned about it. I discuss what I feel is the appropriate level of understanding for their age, and always let them know that as they mature I will be willing to discuss more details. Clearly, I am far more concerned with them being afraid to talk to me about sexuality than I am about their online behavior.

In summary, if we do not talk to them, include them, they will go get their education on their own. It may be in classrooms, but all to often it's in chat rooms and bedrooms with other children. Is this what we want? I certainly do not.

Best to all,

Jeremy

"The more children learn about sexuality from talking with their parents and teachers and reading accurate books, the less they feel compelled to find out for themselves."

BENJAMIN SPOCK, Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care

A Free-Write on a Special Day

Thu, 03 May 2012 23:53:23 +0100

The day was a special one for me.. a goal achieved

    The road here was not easy on me.. but I believed

The next step now revealed to me.. admission received

    The prize is now just in front of me.. future perceived

Best to All,

Jeremy

Why I chose to wait on my education...

Tue, 01 May 2012 02:52:14 +0100

I was awarded a baseball scholarship in 1994 and attended one year of college in Kansas. I had the same desire then as I do now; to teach high school English and coach high school baseball. I will never forget the day I chose to walk away.

I woke up one morning and realized it all made no sense to me. As clear as I could hear the radio alarm playing on my nightstand, I heard this question in my head; "How can I ever hope to teach kids, when I am just a kid myself?" This question haunted me for days. I realized that if I stayed on course, I would be 23 years old and hoping to teach high school students. I knew right then I had to walk away. The realist in me was acknowledging that I had a lot of growing up to do before I would be ready to teach, and impact, students lives. So I left, went back to Texas, attended a trade school to become a mechanic, got married, had children, and lived life.

Thirteen years later, I was ready. I had so much on my heart for the youth around me. I had been working with youth groups, coaching youth sports, officiating youth sports, and volunteering at all of my children's school functions. Without much warning my life took a turn I was not expecting, and in that moment, I realized it was time for me to return to school. It seemed impossible from the outside; full time work and full time parent, but I knew I must.

I do not want to be a mediocre teacher, in any respect, and if I had pursued this in 1995, I do not believe I would have been anything more than mediocre. Living life, raising children, experiencing success and failure, all of it makes me a better teacher. I know now that I will be an amazing teacher, coach, and mentor.

C.S. Lewis once said; "Experience, the most brutal of teachers, but you learn, my God do you learn". I think this best sums up my thoughts..

Best to all,

Jeremy

Individuality vs. Commonality

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:24:42 +0100

An educator is put into a precarious position when considering this topic. In the classroom it is of utmost importance to understand and embrace the individual for who they are, how they learn, etc.. but, at some point we must bring balance by helping them recognize how much they have in common with those around them, and how much they stand to gain by exploiting this commonality.

The theory of behaviorism dominates the American classroom. When coupled with too large an emphasis on individualism it can become a destructive force in our society. Let me explain. Behaviorism tends to produce results by one of two ways; either by rewarding the individual for achieving the desired results; or, by punishing the individual for not achieving the desired results. So, in theory, this means we place the responsibility for achieving the results on the individual. The individual then begins to achieve, not for the joy of learning, instead it is for the purpose of reward or fear of punishment. This now means the individual is concerned solely with his or her own interests or welfare... did you catch that?.. "concerned solely with his or her own interests or welfare".. this is the literal definition of being self-centered, something we know to be detrimental to society and humanity around us. Clearly this would not be an issue as a small scale issue, but the education system in America is hardly small scale.

I am not implying a failure of the system, merely pointing to a potential flaw. This flaw can be neutralized, (and I am sure is by great teachers), by embracing commonality and unity in the classroom. The fact is, we must acknowledge the individual and teach to them as an individual if we hope to be great educators. However, if we desire to see them succeed as humans, peers, friends, family members, future parents, etc.. we must also give them a healthy respect for the life around them.

Best to all,

Jeremy

“Civilizations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained.”
W.H. Auden - Poet