tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656908554946621165.post8800556945157206801..comments2024-03-23T02:14:07.785-04:00Comments on The Dream Teacher: Teachers' Gifts to StudentsCindi Rigsbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05421258393568987852noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656908554946621165.post-91642745356575913612012-01-19T22:22:07.364-05:002012-01-19T22:22:07.364-05:00This a moving post, and I completely agree that on...This a moving post, and I completely agree that one of the most valuable gifts a teacher can give is an education of how to live in the world.<br /><br />With this in mind, I think you might find a project I created called National Connect (www.nationalconnect.org) to be of interest. The project pairs high schools of different backgrounds and students from these schools educate one another about their lives and beliefs. I am encouraging teachers to incorporate this project into their curriculums because, as you said, one of the most important gifts a teacher can give is how to be a respectful and good citizen.Elijah Jatovskyhttp://www.nationalconnect.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656908554946621165.post-5647217945106323982012-01-04T23:09:57.791-05:002012-01-04T23:09:57.791-05:00I happened to stumble upon your site when my googl...I happened to stumble upon your site when my google search lead me to a database that contained the links to what they claimed to be the 50 up-and-coming educational blogs. I was initially drawn to this site because of the title "The Dream Teacher," and I am glad that I took the time to read what you had posted. The concept that plaques me and the one that forces me to always reflect on is what type of difference am I making with my students. I understand that they will always think that I was funny, but what did I teach them? What did they learn? How did I truly impact their lives?<br /><br />After four years of teaching I have realized that they will not remember that I taught them what an appositive is or what the function of a participle is. What they will remember is the way I presented myself, my mannerisms, my outlook on life, the way I treated people, and the stories that I told them.<br /><br />I began to understand this concept the other day when my students were working on a research project. We had been working on the assignment for the past three weeks, and the week leading to Christmas break the students were putting the finishing touches on their work. One of my students, Nadien, was having difficulty conveying an idea in her last body paragraph. The topic of her paper was on the struggles of Muslims to assimilate themselves into American culture after 9/11. She asked me her question and we got into a discussion on multiculturalism and the spread of Islamic culture throughout the western hemisphere. We discussed such ideas as cultures being destroyed because of the population increase of Muslims, the exclusiveness of the Middle East from allowing non-Islamic people from immigrating into countries, and the idea of white culture feeling guilty for expressing any concern about multiculturalism around the world. The conversation lasted for the entire block (90 minutes) and I noticed at the conclusion of our discussion that half of my class had gathered around to listen to our discussion. Besides when I tell my toilet papering story, I have never caught the attention of students like I did that day, and it had nothing to do with the subject matter I teach, but I know that it will be a moment that will never be forgotten.<br /><br />It is the way in which we communicate our feelings, ideas, beliefs with those around us that has the greatest impact on what is learned by our students.Mark Rabbittnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656908554946621165.post-9579751189784174952012-01-04T12:06:48.591-05:002012-01-04T12:06:48.591-05:00Happy New Year from Madrid (Spain).
I agree with y...Happy New Year from Madrid (Spain).<br />I agree with you. Children usually absorb everything we do. We should be very careful with our attitudes because a lot of people are around us learning from our behaviours.<br />Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.<br />I'm a mature student of English.<br />Let me know if you find any mistake, please.<br />Best wishes,<br /><br />Carmen MartínMira que lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06442847776641174903noreply@blogger.com