Warning! This blogpost steps away from the teaching world!
I want to address something that we are all guilty of doing. I feel strongly that social media is the epitome of vanity. We post pictures of ourselves for others to see. We want others to know about our daily lives, and we want to display ourselves a certain way. With this being said, our immediate outlets to do so are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and for the dinosaurs, MySpace. We are so wrapped up in our own lives that we often forget to appreciate the company of others, especially those close to us.
I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with two awesome families, one being my own and the other being Rachel's family, who I was meeting for the first time. All weekend I was surrounded by people who were excellent company. Conversations were great, laughter was rampant, and smiles were abundant. I had to step back and think about the last time that I had felt something that genuine.
At that moment, I took myself back to memories of childhood, before we had the world of information at our fingertips. Think about when you could not get in touch with someone and you were met with a busy signal. Think about when kids rode bikes to knock on a neighbor's door to see if they could come outside and play. Think about when you played the game of Life or Connect Four instead of Temple Run or Angry Birds.
Sure, technology makes our life a little, ahem, a lot easier. You would not be able to read this post if it were not for technology. What I want to challenge everyone to do, along with myself, is to notice how many times you catch yourself with your phone in hand. Think about how often we look at our phones when we know damn well that no one has texted us. We are addicted. Technology has become a babysitter for our attention. Many don't believe in evolution, but I strongly believe that we are taking ourselves out of the picture. Remember: Adaptations are nature's innovations. We have taken nature out of contention.
It is so weird to think about why humans gather around to share a meal or why we confide in others. We are social beings and technology presents to us a facade in which we think we are being social, but instead we are evolving from our once community driven nature. Friend groups have been replaced with Facebook friends. Gossip has been replaced with retweets. We are a slave to our own creation. I thought about how we change and how we adapt.
There will be a time in the future when technology as we know it ceases to exist. It is at this time that we will suffer, as we will no longer possess the social skills necessary to survive as human beings. Fight what we are turning into. Thumb through a dictionary instead of "googling" for a word whose meaning has ceased to find you. More importantly, challenge yourself. I'll be right there with you.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Complacency
First, I want to apologize. For those of you that follow this blog, let me update you on my life.
1. I graduated.
2. I got a job. (Before I graduated.)
3. I teach a state tested subject. (U.S. History)
4. Moved back to Hattiesburg.
Now that you have been caught up on the oh-so-interesting life of Mr. Medlin, I want to touch on something that bugs me to no end, and that is complacency.
Too often we become sedentary. We have no strive to improve, yet we don't let ourselves fall. We stay right in the middle of what is comfortable never truly reaching out for a new experience. I came across this attitudes and system of thought within my own classroom. I overheard a student say, "All I need to do is pass and I don't care about anything else."
Why is this student complacent?
It is an attitude, plain and simple. An attitude that has been drilled into our heads since day one: just getting by. "Just getting by" won't get you too much of anywhere in life. Relationships, learning, and growth take more than "just getting by." Since when did we forget about going the extra mile? Whether or not it is to help someone else out or to better our own life, when did we become okay with not giving our best?
We as a society have become complacent. We have come to terms with just doing enough to scrape by, only so that we can pay more attention to our iPhones and social media. We have not moved or advanced ourselves, but rather taken the social nature of humans and the drive to be the best completely out of the picture. I tell my students every day: "Do not mistake activity for achievement." Just because you are doing something doesn't mean you are achieving." Do something worth doing. Do something that is going to bring our the best in yourself in others.
As a society, we need to instill in our youth a sense of responsibility. One that makes them want to reach for the stars. One that makes them want to become way more awesome than they already are. One that makes them act with a sense of urgency. I watched a video last night from the Kid President and it was a pep talk. He read a Robert Frost poem and it explained how the narrator took the road less traveled. That is what I am asking my students to do. Yeah, sure, there will be tough spots along the way and obstacles to overcome, but overcoming those obstacles are what defines us as a person. Dr. Joe Paul at Southern Miss once told me a very fine piece of advice, "Never let your mistakes and obstacles define you." I have tried to pass this on to as many students of mine as possible. Until they realize that overcoming the mistakes and obstacles will make them better in all facets of success, they will continue to be complacent, forever trapped in what they have always known.
Live outside of what you know. Step out of the boundaries. Go the extra mile. Ask for more. Grow. Love. Learn.
1. I graduated.
2. I got a job. (Before I graduated.)
3. I teach a state tested subject. (U.S. History)
4. Moved back to Hattiesburg.
Now that you have been caught up on the oh-so-interesting life of Mr. Medlin, I want to touch on something that bugs me to no end, and that is complacency.
Too often we become sedentary. We have no strive to improve, yet we don't let ourselves fall. We stay right in the middle of what is comfortable never truly reaching out for a new experience. I came across this attitudes and system of thought within my own classroom. I overheard a student say, "All I need to do is pass and I don't care about anything else."
Why is this student complacent?
It is an attitude, plain and simple. An attitude that has been drilled into our heads since day one: just getting by. "Just getting by" won't get you too much of anywhere in life. Relationships, learning, and growth take more than "just getting by." Since when did we forget about going the extra mile? Whether or not it is to help someone else out or to better our own life, when did we become okay with not giving our best?
We as a society have become complacent. We have come to terms with just doing enough to scrape by, only so that we can pay more attention to our iPhones and social media. We have not moved or advanced ourselves, but rather taken the social nature of humans and the drive to be the best completely out of the picture. I tell my students every day: "Do not mistake activity for achievement." Just because you are doing something doesn't mean you are achieving." Do something worth doing. Do something that is going to bring our the best in yourself in others.
As a society, we need to instill in our youth a sense of responsibility. One that makes them want to reach for the stars. One that makes them want to become way more awesome than they already are. One that makes them act with a sense of urgency. I watched a video last night from the Kid President and it was a pep talk. He read a Robert Frost poem and it explained how the narrator took the road less traveled. That is what I am asking my students to do. Yeah, sure, there will be tough spots along the way and obstacles to overcome, but overcoming those obstacles are what defines us as a person. Dr. Joe Paul at Southern Miss once told me a very fine piece of advice, "Never let your mistakes and obstacles define you." I have tried to pass this on to as many students of mine as possible. Until they realize that overcoming the mistakes and obstacles will make them better in all facets of success, they will continue to be complacent, forever trapped in what they have always known.
Live outside of what you know. Step out of the boundaries. Go the extra mile. Ask for more. Grow. Love. Learn.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Lessons Learned
I guess this whole semester is about teaching us the ins and outs of education. By placing us in the field for a semester, we get a first hand experience of the challenges faced everyday by teachers in the schools. With that being said, there have been a few valuable lessons I have learned so far that I would like to share in hope that they might translate to be effective in your workplace or college career.
1. Be on time. This is the first thing I always try to do. How can you be effective if you are not present? How can you make an impact if you are the shining example of tardy? If you show up on time on a consistent basis, it not only sets an example, but it gives you a chance to be prepared. If you are not on time, you better be early. I find this is when you do the most good for yourself. Administrators take notice that you are the first to get there and maybe the last to leave. Colleagues want to step up their game when they see you on top of yours. In essence, always follow the old saying, "If you're on time, you're late. If you're five minutes early, you're on time." I found this to be true in almost every facet of my life.
2. Listen. My whole life I have always been the center of attention. When I talk, people listen. I don't mean to sound cocky but that is how it has always been. Cracking a joke, telling a story, starting a conversation, it all was so characteristic of myself. Once I entered the classroom, I learned that listening to the students, who are at the center of education and what everything revolves around, can help you reach them. I am not talking about just listening to what they have to say, but rather listen for the signals that flag you and tell you something is wrong so you can help them with whatever larger problem they might have on their mind. Listen so that you can make a difference.
3. Positive Attitude. This is the most important. If you find yourself going into a situation that is dreadful, you most likely are not going to give it everything you have. I will tell you the perfect example. Look at my time in Moss Point. Had I gone in there with a negative attitude, I wouldn't have made the difference that I did in several children's lives. Putting forward a positive attitude radiates success. Be annoying. Be the one that comes in every morning that is excited to be there. Energy is contagious.
4. Finish Strong. When you do these things and come to the end of your road, as I am fast approaching the end of the semester, it is important to finish strong. Do not phase out. Do not slack off. Keep giving it 110% and you will see better results. The minute you slack off is the minute you come to terms with being less than your best. And when you do finish, do something that lets you release all that you have accomplished. Sometimes I let out a large victory yell, especially when finishing papers or lesson plans. "WHOOOOO!" I guess that is the showboat coming out in me. Let something out that will make others think that you just conquered the world. Be proud. Whatever you do, be a closer. Be a finisher. Be the man with the sign on his desk that says, "The buck stops here."
These are all lessons I have learned this semester. While they are not very exact and lean more toward concepts that individual tasks, I feel like they will help you complete those tasks in a more efficient manner. They will help you be the person that is successful that everyone looks at and says, "I want to be as passionate about my job as that guy." Be the example.
1. Be on time. This is the first thing I always try to do. How can you be effective if you are not present? How can you make an impact if you are the shining example of tardy? If you show up on time on a consistent basis, it not only sets an example, but it gives you a chance to be prepared. If you are not on time, you better be early. I find this is when you do the most good for yourself. Administrators take notice that you are the first to get there and maybe the last to leave. Colleagues want to step up their game when they see you on top of yours. In essence, always follow the old saying, "If you're on time, you're late. If you're five minutes early, you're on time." I found this to be true in almost every facet of my life.
2. Listen. My whole life I have always been the center of attention. When I talk, people listen. I don't mean to sound cocky but that is how it has always been. Cracking a joke, telling a story, starting a conversation, it all was so characteristic of myself. Once I entered the classroom, I learned that listening to the students, who are at the center of education and what everything revolves around, can help you reach them. I am not talking about just listening to what they have to say, but rather listen for the signals that flag you and tell you something is wrong so you can help them with whatever larger problem they might have on their mind. Listen so that you can make a difference.
3. Positive Attitude. This is the most important. If you find yourself going into a situation that is dreadful, you most likely are not going to give it everything you have. I will tell you the perfect example. Look at my time in Moss Point. Had I gone in there with a negative attitude, I wouldn't have made the difference that I did in several children's lives. Putting forward a positive attitude radiates success. Be annoying. Be the one that comes in every morning that is excited to be there. Energy is contagious.
4. Finish Strong. When you do these things and come to the end of your road, as I am fast approaching the end of the semester, it is important to finish strong. Do not phase out. Do not slack off. Keep giving it 110% and you will see better results. The minute you slack off is the minute you come to terms with being less than your best. And when you do finish, do something that lets you release all that you have accomplished. Sometimes I let out a large victory yell, especially when finishing papers or lesson plans. "WHOOOOO!" I guess that is the showboat coming out in me. Let something out that will make others think that you just conquered the world. Be proud. Whatever you do, be a closer. Be a finisher. Be the man with the sign on his desk that says, "The buck stops here."
These are all lessons I have learned this semester. While they are not very exact and lean more toward concepts that individual tasks, I feel like they will help you complete those tasks in a more efficient manner. They will help you be the person that is successful that everyone looks at and says, "I want to be as passionate about my job as that guy." Be the example.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Paths
I'm not a firm believer in predestination, but rather I believe we choose to take certain paths. Have you ever seen that financial service commercial with the green path that leads the person to their next step to financial security? It is similar to that in that we follow things that are immediately in front of us, such as small decisions, in order to be stable in the bigger parts of our life. By bigger, I mean things like finances, jobs, friendships, relationships, and emotional well being. While I feel that our paths are similar to the ones in the commercial, I also feel they differ in a few ways.
First, they never show anyone else's path. Look at the people around you. They are all following their own green path. Aren't we lucky to cross paths with each and every person in our lives? From my students to family to friends to past girlfriends, I want to think that there is some reason all of our paths crossed. Some purpose behind that. Truth is, I don't believe that and probably never will. All we can do is take from those intersections experiences where we have learned to love, learned to trust, learned to laugh, learned to hurt, and learned to heal a sense of accomplishment knowing that we have become a better person in the whole scheme of things.
Second, it is predestined. I believe our paths can take us anywhere in the blink of an eye. Some of you that have probably seen Donnie Darko would understand this blog a little bit more than most. While our paths are busy paving the way for us to catch up with them, we are experiencing everything life has to offer. For me right now, that happens to be teaching. For you, you could find yourself in a big city with a great job. For some it could be just taking whatever is thrown your way. Things change from day to day, and I firmly believe it has to do with the paths that we choose to take.
One thing is certain about paths. There is always a way to turn back. Sure, you can always live in the past, stick with what you know is safe, but in the end, does it really help you? I often get pulled into the depths of nostalgia, finding myself thinking of better times where I felt more comfortable or more loved, but in the end that has been my problem. I've been so stuck in the past I haven't taken the chances to move forward. All that has changed now. I'm not looking back anymore.
I guess what all this rambling amounts to is that I believe three things:
First, they never show anyone else's path. Look at the people around you. They are all following their own green path. Aren't we lucky to cross paths with each and every person in our lives? From my students to family to friends to past girlfriends, I want to think that there is some reason all of our paths crossed. Some purpose behind that. Truth is, I don't believe that and probably never will. All we can do is take from those intersections experiences where we have learned to love, learned to trust, learned to laugh, learned to hurt, and learned to heal a sense of accomplishment knowing that we have become a better person in the whole scheme of things.
Second, it is predestined. I believe our paths can take us anywhere in the blink of an eye. Some of you that have probably seen Donnie Darko would understand this blog a little bit more than most. While our paths are busy paving the way for us to catch up with them, we are experiencing everything life has to offer. For me right now, that happens to be teaching. For you, you could find yourself in a big city with a great job. For some it could be just taking whatever is thrown your way. Things change from day to day, and I firmly believe it has to do with the paths that we choose to take.
One thing is certain about paths. There is always a way to turn back. Sure, you can always live in the past, stick with what you know is safe, but in the end, does it really help you? I often get pulled into the depths of nostalgia, finding myself thinking of better times where I felt more comfortable or more loved, but in the end that has been my problem. I've been so stuck in the past I haven't taken the chances to move forward. All that has changed now. I'm not looking back anymore.
I guess what all this rambling amounts to is that I believe three things:
- We all choose our own paths.
- Those paths cross with others and when that happens, the learning and growing that can occur is endless.
- Each path allows you to stay where you are with what is familiar. Don't be a sucker for living with the past.
Monday, November 12, 2012
5 Tips for an Easy Mind
So as I was sitting in my bed cramming a Little Debbie in my mouth, I thought for a second, "Life is good." This comes as a surprise for me though. I have a lot of reasons to be negative right about now, but for some reason, things are looking up.
What makes it this way? Maybe I just have "senioritis" and I am fine with just getting by for this last little bit of student teaching. My unit started this week. I have a job interview on Thursday and for some reason I just feel "easy." I am not worried, nor am I nervous. I just feel really peaceful. This makes me concerned deep down because I feel like this is when most people lose it. They lose that fire for doing what they love to do. All I have on my mind is getting inside of a classroom and changing the lives of my students. While I should be wound up and stressed, I do feel that I have mastered some tips for being easy going, so I will share them with you.
1. Sing. A lot. Every day on the way to school I sing as loud as I can to the songs that come on the radio. If someone else was in the car, they would be sure to jump out. Whether it is country, some crazy beats by Dre, or some easy listening on the Zew, let it out, man. You are your own audience. Don't be afraid to take a stage dive.
2. Appreciate the small things. Whether it is someone who smiled at you in passing or finding a penny on the ground, consider it a good day. You've won the smallest battles of the day, and it only gets better from there. It takes legos to build and awesome castle, so use those small things to create something larger and more positive.
3. Call a friend. Don't text them. CALL them. It is slightly more personable and it gives a chance for real conversion without hiding behind the confines of words on a screen. The voice can show the most affection for someone, so be sure not to abuse that with sarcasm or doubt. I know there are two people I talk to on the phone just about everyday and they are two of my closest friends. I love their conversations the most.
4. Eat Little Debbies. I am not telling you to eat little people named Debbie, but however find your favorite, a zebra cake, fudge round, star crunch, or swiss roll and eat the ever living icing out of it. Sometimes the best comfort comes from these small little pieces of heaven. One thing is for sure, if little Debbie ever grew up to be a beautiful woman, I would marry her for her goodies.
5. Get sleep. Robin Williams said one time, "Only in their dreams can men be truly free. Twas always thus and always thus will be." That is the only true time where your mind is at ease. Go to bed at 9 every now and then. You'll feel that much better in the morning. Be free in your sleep. Go places you've never been to. Relive old memories and create visions of what you want in the future. Own the time that belongs to you.
Sometimes I feel like I am writing a self help guide and wonder if everyone reading this just thinks I am full of what Joe Biden would say, "malarkey." I would say to them that this is sincere and I only hope to share it with you in hopes that you also will find a peace of mind, or at least crack a smile at one of the lame jokes I have made within this post. Either way, writing this piece felt good, and I hope you do too after reading.
What makes it this way? Maybe I just have "senioritis" and I am fine with just getting by for this last little bit of student teaching. My unit started this week. I have a job interview on Thursday and for some reason I just feel "easy." I am not worried, nor am I nervous. I just feel really peaceful. This makes me concerned deep down because I feel like this is when most people lose it. They lose that fire for doing what they love to do. All I have on my mind is getting inside of a classroom and changing the lives of my students. While I should be wound up and stressed, I do feel that I have mastered some tips for being easy going, so I will share them with you.
1. Sing. A lot. Every day on the way to school I sing as loud as I can to the songs that come on the radio. If someone else was in the car, they would be sure to jump out. Whether it is country, some crazy beats by Dre, or some easy listening on the Zew, let it out, man. You are your own audience. Don't be afraid to take a stage dive.
2. Appreciate the small things. Whether it is someone who smiled at you in passing or finding a penny on the ground, consider it a good day. You've won the smallest battles of the day, and it only gets better from there. It takes legos to build and awesome castle, so use those small things to create something larger and more positive.
3. Call a friend. Don't text them. CALL them. It is slightly more personable and it gives a chance for real conversion without hiding behind the confines of words on a screen. The voice can show the most affection for someone, so be sure not to abuse that with sarcasm or doubt. I know there are two people I talk to on the phone just about everyday and they are two of my closest friends. I love their conversations the most.
4. Eat Little Debbies. I am not telling you to eat little people named Debbie, but however find your favorite, a zebra cake, fudge round, star crunch, or swiss roll and eat the ever living icing out of it. Sometimes the best comfort comes from these small little pieces of heaven. One thing is for sure, if little Debbie ever grew up to be a beautiful woman, I would marry her for her goodies.
5. Get sleep. Robin Williams said one time, "Only in their dreams can men be truly free. Twas always thus and always thus will be." That is the only true time where your mind is at ease. Go to bed at 9 every now and then. You'll feel that much better in the morning. Be free in your sleep. Go places you've never been to. Relive old memories and create visions of what you want in the future. Own the time that belongs to you.
Sometimes I feel like I am writing a self help guide and wonder if everyone reading this just thinks I am full of what Joe Biden would say, "malarkey." I would say to them that this is sincere and I only hope to share it with you in hopes that you also will find a peace of mind, or at least crack a smile at one of the lame jokes I have made within this post. Either way, writing this piece felt good, and I hope you do too after reading.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Surround Yourself
Student teaching has already proven to be the hardest semester for me as college comes to a close. It has taught me to grow up, it has taught me to be positive in all that I do, but more importantly its taught me to surround myself with people that matter. If it wasn't for the three kinds of people that have been in my life in just this one semester, I wouldn't be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel like I proclaimed to earlier this week. So this one is for you guys.
The first people are my family. I feared moving back home. I feared being underneath the parentals and to be honest I dreaded the very thought of it. In all honesty, if I had not moved back home for student teaching, I would not be doing as well as I am. My Dad has been there to keep me on track and encouraged when I needed it the most, and he has been there to take my mind off of things when we play basketball outside like in the old days. My mom has made my life so easy, and I could not even begin to express my thankfulness to her. She has taken care of laundry and had dinner ready every night when I walk in. She has been wonderful to me. My sister... well let's just say she is carrying on my legacy at Southern Miss and making me very proud. Without family, we would be nothing. Surround yourself.
The second group I want to speak about are my colleagues. Every single one of you: Chelsea, Casey, Krystal, Jeremy, Tori, Gertz, Sarah, Miran, and Kelsey. You all have been truly wonderful to work with, and I can not thank you guys enough for helping me out the entire semester. This is the last little bit before we are changing lives and getting paid for it. I am so proud of everyone, as I have seen them grow, along with myself, into professional educators. We have arrived, and this is our time. This is our time to take the world by storm, and we shall do so accordingly. We are products of a program that exudes excellence in every way. We are products of a program that is a cut above. We are products of our own hard work. If you find yourself weary in these last weeks, call me, I'll be your motivator. Each one of these students teachers has encouraged me to be a better person. Surround yourself.
The third group of people consists of a few individuals who have been my encouragement. Kevin, David, my coworkers. Without the phone calls, the support, the random jokes and flashbacks, life would not be as great. You keep me going and more importantly keep me smiling. My positive attitude is a result of your encouragement and support. I just hope that one day I can return the favor. And by the way, Kevin, I was serious about the shotgun after graduation. These people are those that have chosen to be in my life, and that is something that should never be taken for granted. Surround yourself.
The last group is a little different. It is a person or persons that have made a larger impact in my life than I ever realized. People that were once in my life but no longer choose to be. People who I have tried to forget but can't. People who told me I needed to grow up when I did not want to listen. In some instances I am most thankful for this person. I am thankful because I now realize you were preparing me for the real world. You were preparing me for what was just over the hill, while I was too immature to have any foresight. This person affected me and will continue to so. Thank you. Surround yourself.
These people make up the biggest influences of my life that helped me through the hardest semester of school. There is no doubt that without them, I would have failed. This is to let you know that I appreciate you. This is also to bring others to the question, "Who do I surround myself with?" Negative people? Positive influences? Friends? Lovers? Robot dance partners? Dogs? Whatever you surround yourself with, make sure it is something you don't take for granted. Often the people that surround us are the foundation of who we are. SURROUND YOURSELF.
The first people are my family. I feared moving back home. I feared being underneath the parentals and to be honest I dreaded the very thought of it. In all honesty, if I had not moved back home for student teaching, I would not be doing as well as I am. My Dad has been there to keep me on track and encouraged when I needed it the most, and he has been there to take my mind off of things when we play basketball outside like in the old days. My mom has made my life so easy, and I could not even begin to express my thankfulness to her. She has taken care of laundry and had dinner ready every night when I walk in. She has been wonderful to me. My sister... well let's just say she is carrying on my legacy at Southern Miss and making me very proud. Without family, we would be nothing. Surround yourself.
The second group I want to speak about are my colleagues. Every single one of you: Chelsea, Casey, Krystal, Jeremy, Tori, Gertz, Sarah, Miran, and Kelsey. You all have been truly wonderful to work with, and I can not thank you guys enough for helping me out the entire semester. This is the last little bit before we are changing lives and getting paid for it. I am so proud of everyone, as I have seen them grow, along with myself, into professional educators. We have arrived, and this is our time. This is our time to take the world by storm, and we shall do so accordingly. We are products of a program that exudes excellence in every way. We are products of a program that is a cut above. We are products of our own hard work. If you find yourself weary in these last weeks, call me, I'll be your motivator. Each one of these students teachers has encouraged me to be a better person. Surround yourself.
The third group of people consists of a few individuals who have been my encouragement. Kevin, David, my coworkers. Without the phone calls, the support, the random jokes and flashbacks, life would not be as great. You keep me going and more importantly keep me smiling. My positive attitude is a result of your encouragement and support. I just hope that one day I can return the favor. And by the way, Kevin, I was serious about the shotgun after graduation. These people are those that have chosen to be in my life, and that is something that should never be taken for granted. Surround yourself.
The last group is a little different. It is a person or persons that have made a larger impact in my life than I ever realized. People that were once in my life but no longer choose to be. People who I have tried to forget but can't. People who told me I needed to grow up when I did not want to listen. In some instances I am most thankful for this person. I am thankful because I now realize you were preparing me for the real world. You were preparing me for what was just over the hill, while I was too immature to have any foresight. This person affected me and will continue to so. Thank you. Surround yourself.
These people make up the biggest influences of my life that helped me through the hardest semester of school. There is no doubt that without them, I would have failed. This is to let you know that I appreciate you. This is also to bring others to the question, "Who do I surround myself with?" Negative people? Positive influences? Friends? Lovers? Robot dance partners? Dogs? Whatever you surround yourself with, make sure it is something you don't take for granted. Often the people that surround us are the foundation of who we are. SURROUND YOURSELF.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
"Surely you can't be serious."
"I am serious and don't call me Shirley." He looked a little like Karl Marx. He had the wittiness of no one that I had ever seen before. He smelled like coffee and had a beard that made any 18 year old jealous. For those of you reading this that went to high school with me, you probably know who I am talking about. His name is James Willmann.
Sometimes people ask me, "Why in the hell would you want to be a teacher?" I would look at them and tell them that I have always wanted to teach, but just needed that extra push. Mr. Willmann gave me that extra push. The next question they ask is "What are you going to coach?" Whoa nelly. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. I'm not looking to be the next kick-my-feet-up-on-the-desk-while-the-students-do-a-worksheet type history teacher. I want children to learn in my class. I want them to start thinking outside of the box and be challenged in ways they thought were impossible. That is what happened to me in the two semesters spent in Mr. Willmann's class. I learned to see through others' eyes. I learned to empathize and work for a solution in which both sides would benefit. I learned to grow.
Our whole lives we are told to think a certain way and not question anything. We are taught to take what we are given and run. Why? Why not learn something new or do something different? Too often we become monotonous products of the environment in which we are raised, something I have deemed the "Breakfast Club Effect." I want to open that door up for my students so that they can become something BIGGER. Something bigger than the middle school they are at or the football team they play for. Leaders within the community, artists that share their talents with the world, everyone, they have something to offer. I want my classroom to be a place where they discover that. If I hadn't discovered my talents and dreams, I wouldn't be writing this blog.
Think back to the last person to open your eyes to something completely new. How did it feel? What was it like to take that step into something you had never experienced before? Did you get a rush? Did you feel like you had gone where you had never gone before? More importantly did you feel at home? This is exactly how I felt the first time I walked into a classroom on the teacher's side. I felt powerful because at the end of the day, I can make or break a student's spirit. On the other hand, I felt that I was a part of something much larger. I was giving myself the chance to do what Mr. Willmann had done for me.
I'm no prophet of teaching nor do I claim to be. I just feel that when one comes across their dream to teach, it is truly something that can help other people out. We are all constant learners. We are all teachers. What matters is whether or not you open yourself up to the change that learning brings about.
Sometimes people ask me, "Why in the hell would you want to be a teacher?" I would look at them and tell them that I have always wanted to teach, but just needed that extra push. Mr. Willmann gave me that extra push. The next question they ask is "What are you going to coach?" Whoa nelly. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. I'm not looking to be the next kick-my-feet-up-on-the-desk-while-the-students-do-a-worksheet type history teacher. I want children to learn in my class. I want them to start thinking outside of the box and be challenged in ways they thought were impossible. That is what happened to me in the two semesters spent in Mr. Willmann's class. I learned to see through others' eyes. I learned to empathize and work for a solution in which both sides would benefit. I learned to grow.
Our whole lives we are told to think a certain way and not question anything. We are taught to take what we are given and run. Why? Why not learn something new or do something different? Too often we become monotonous products of the environment in which we are raised, something I have deemed the "Breakfast Club Effect." I want to open that door up for my students so that they can become something BIGGER. Something bigger than the middle school they are at or the football team they play for. Leaders within the community, artists that share their talents with the world, everyone, they have something to offer. I want my classroom to be a place where they discover that. If I hadn't discovered my talents and dreams, I wouldn't be writing this blog.
Think back to the last person to open your eyes to something completely new. How did it feel? What was it like to take that step into something you had never experienced before? Did you get a rush? Did you feel like you had gone where you had never gone before? More importantly did you feel at home? This is exactly how I felt the first time I walked into a classroom on the teacher's side. I felt powerful because at the end of the day, I can make or break a student's spirit. On the other hand, I felt that I was a part of something much larger. I was giving myself the chance to do what Mr. Willmann had done for me.
I'm no prophet of teaching nor do I claim to be. I just feel that when one comes across their dream to teach, it is truly something that can help other people out. We are all constant learners. We are all teachers. What matters is whether or not you open yourself up to the change that learning brings about.
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