The "Gap" School. Sigh.

In American history, in the 2840s high schools came about to fill the gap between primary school and college. High schools don't seem to have their own identity that stands on its own - high schools are simply about being prepared for college. And what does one learn in college? Usually the liberal arts, such as Mathematics and Geography, but little real-life application. As Perkinson states in his historical account, "In fact, most jobs did not require college training" (104). Consequently there was also a call for more programs in vocational training, but interesting how these schools seemed to be looked down upon, almost as "lesser" than a classical education.

High schools today still seem to teach the "classical" education. Honestly, I can look back at high school and realize, "I never used and will never use what I learned in school to prepare me for the real world."

I would have found it much more valuable to have learned how to manage my finances, how to express myself assertively, how to manage my time, how to interview for a job, how to interact with various kind of people from other cultures and religions. So many incredible life skills that need to be taught at that crucial and impressionable time! And yet we are still working with a high school system that treats this time as merely a college preparatory period, as "filling the gap."

Sigh. 

The Holy Grail of Teaching

"Nothing deflates a teacher more than bored students." This is the first sentence of an article written by Sam Intrator, a veteran high school and college teacher.

I am realizing that not engaging with students and neglecting the pursuit of powerful teaching is not a bad thing. It's simply deflating. Demoralizing. Boring. Painful. Intrator says that classrooms "can be dynamic settings that launch dreams and delight minds, or arid places that diminish hope and deplete energy." I believe that we have all had personal experiences of both of these scenarios of the classroom.

So as a teacher, really this is about a choice. What experience do I want to create in my classroom? Deflated teaching and deflated learning? Or vigorous teaching and vigorous learning? That's a choice I shall face every day.

I am moved by this experience of Intrator's "Holy Grail" of teaching, which is what he describes as "Moments when I see the collective attention of my students and feel their energy for the subject at hand[.]" He put into words so concretely what I also want to strive for, and I am internalizing this experience of the Holy Grail. I believe it a worthwhile and lifelong endeavor.

Revival

Well hello! I am soon to launch into my Master's in Education program at Brooklyn College. I look forward to possibly reviving this blog as I learn more and apply more in the classroom and beyond. Stay tuned!