Those Who Cannot Do, Teach?

Gah! I have perhaps the most under appreciated job on the planet (being a mommy), and I'm about to enter another under appreciated profession: teaching. Those who cannot do, teach?? What the heck is that? Nobody considers how far they have gotten because of the teachers who helped to build the foundation on which they stand. One of the first things I realized when I started my coursework was how little thanks I would receive.... Yet, I still choose to follow this path. We all want to make a difference in the world: this is my way of doing it. Even if I am never thanked for giving the science or math background which led to that Nobel-winning discovery, I will be able to have pride in myself despite not being recognized.

I was thinking the other day.... What is it about teaching that makes people think of it as a last resort? Being an English teacher doesn't mean that I've failed as a writer, but rather, that I want to share my love of a language with students so that they can learn to love it, or at least be proficient with it, too. My choice to teach elementary-aged students has nothing to do with an inability to succeed in another field, but with a desire to broaden young minds and be an influential figure who not only teaches subject matter, but also teaches her students to love learning. I've already begun this process with my own babies, who aren't even school-age yet, but already have developed a love for the written word that a great number of students will never develop. We read, long before we will turn to the TV or any other form of amusement. My children have heard many, many stories, from simple children's books to complex novels. It doesn't matter the context of a story, provided that the voice that is reading aloud is complex and talented. I have been fortunate enough to have a professor, Dr. Terry Murphy, who put a substantial amount of work into teaching all of her pre-service teachers to read aloud in a theatrical and interesting manner. I have read to my children from textbooks, Harry Potter books... Most recently, we've read the Inkheart series (by the brilliant Cornelia Funke) and Atonement by Ian McEwan. Ah, but you're thinking "those are NOT children's books." No, indeed, they are not. They are, however, beautifully written, and, without prior knowledge dictating the meanings of words, they are simply words on a page, which, when read aloud, become magical. I am, of course, a strong believer in reading to children. It has been proven that children who are surrounded by strong models of literacy are more likely to become successful in their chosen fields as adults, are more intelligent, and have larger vocabularies at earlier ages. Perhaps this is because they are shown that reading and writing (literacy) is not something to be hidden or scorned, but, instead, is something which should be revered and practiced daily. Literacy is the simple act of reading and writing; it is something which many adults avoid at any cost. In the same way that the internet has created more widespread access to literacy through blogging, online newspapers (thus becoming far more available... and free), and masses of other writing, technology has also been detrimental to literacy.... Text messaging, for example: use as few letters as possible to relay a message to someone about something which, in 50 years, will seem ridiculous. So my plea to all of you.... Read. Not just text messages, emails and Twitter updates. Read novels, newspapers, magazines.... Anything and everything you can get your hands on that holds some meaning. If you'd like suggestions, here is my list.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond
Atonement by Ian McEwa

As I said, those are simply a few of my suggestions for your beach bag or carry-on suitcase.