Wilheim Reading

Chapter 1, The Theory of Teaching, addressed aspects of teaching that I have never thought really thought about during my time studying education.  I never looked at teaching as a science.  After reading further about teaching as a science versus a profession I understand more how theories and methods can make teaching a science.  I agree that looking at teaching as a profession is not entirely correct.  The vignette about the student teacher Nate and abiding by the curriculum while incorporating theory of teaching, shows the struggle between profession and science.  "A profession defines itself and its boundaries." If teachers were to teach solely the factual content of the curriculum without providing further methodology, students would not gain the ability to examine, process and interpret information, think critically and compose their own thoughts and ideas.

In the Secondary Education program were are given more content courses rather than education courses.  After performing practicum hours in school I have the fear of not being prepared to actually teach.  I will know the facts and the content I need to teach, I will know how to write a goals and objectives and write lesson plans, I will know how to write and IEP and conduct screenings for RTI, but how will I become an effective teacher? At the elementary level there are multiple "methods" courses on "how to teach" certain subjects.  "Teachers are not taught to teach, and most often they do not teach."  This line taken from the excerpt in Tharp and Gallimore's book Rousting Minds to Life is quite frightening and true. I have had teachers who were examples of this statement and I hope to not be another example. Looking back on my school years, I remember "wide awake" teachers and teachers who were not so wide awake.  With teachers who are not wide awake as Wilheim describes, I did not understand what I was doing, why I was doing it and how I could be doing it.  I simply did what I was told because that's "what we did."  However, I had teachers that were fully awake more in my upperclassmen years of high school where I fully enjoyed what I was doing.  It was with these teachers I became the most success in learning and actually appreciated their gift of teaching.  The further I pursue my career in education the deeper understanding I am receiving of what it really entails.  It is not just a profession, it truly is a science.

Another aspect of teaching that I feel as though is concentrated more on elementary years are the theories of Vygotsky and Hillocks.  The zone of proximal development tends to disappear in the secondary level of education.  As a high school student not too long ago I worked in my zone of actual development until it was recognized and I was moved into honors classes. Teachers want their students to succeed, but as Wilheim states, the most excellent projects may not have really taught students anything new. Support is still needed as not all students have mastered all steps by this point in their education. Self-teaching is one of the higher levels of teaching, however at some point the basic tools were taught and mastered along the way. 

The second chapter on reading strategies and teaching those strategies provided insight on how crucial it is to "Knowing how to teach how." Students should know how to read at the secondary level but their level of comprehension and sophistication of reading and writing at that level are not always up to par, because they were never taught how to go beyond. We must teach students to ask themselves questions when they are reading and the inquiry square is a good tool to look as an aspiring teacher. We as teachers must refer to the square ourselves when choosing passages or materials we want students to read. Creating an inquiry environment throughout the classroom will allow students to explore learning in their own realms. 

I think the Wilheim reading was an effective piece to read especially as the introduction to this class.  We now understand the importance of methods and reading strategies and can apply them to our own content areas.  

Literacy Profile: Fitness

Growing up, I always struggled with becoming literate in an activity outside of school.  School was my thing. I was a good student and received great scores and I could never really find something that peaked my interest.  My cousins were all star athletes and I was the star student.  Regardless, my parents enrolled me in an array of extracurricular activities - none of which I ever really enjoyed.  I would quit one and jump into another.  It began with figure skating, then karate, then softball, soccer, lacrosse. When we realized I had not a single athletic bone in my body at the time, (and played the bench far better than the field) I tried piano, then theatre.   I enjoyed theatre and excelled, but after high school the opportunities were scarce and I lost interest.  It was not until college however, that I found something I was truly passion about and for once, completely worth my time.

            In fear of the freshmen 15 and in embarrassment of my couch potato tendencies, I decided I would start exercising. Everyone laughed.  When I first started I had no idea what I was doing, and did almost all of the exercises entirely incorrect.  I would go on the elliptical machine for an hour and just observe everyone else’s routines.  I researched exercises online and joined a gym with my Dad.  He demonstrated things I could do and really taught me how to work out effectively, without getting injured-a tendency of mine.  Within a year I was exercising regularly and maintained my weight.  I became bored and decided that I needed a new goal for myself. I wanted to take this daily routine further.  

            I changed my eating habits and learned the correct way to diet with the intentions of fat loss and gaining muscle. I subscribed to fitness magazines, followed multiple instagram accounts and spent hours on www.bodybuilding.com.  I read articles and watched videos and even “practiced” the exercises at home in my mirror before performing them in the gym.  I was extremely self conscious and nervous about stepping outside of my comfort zone.  In a few months time I was on my way to total transformation.  I lost 10 pounds and began to tone my body.  I was approached by a personal trainer and was asked if I ever thought about training in a bodybuilding competition. He had seen my progress and wanted to take it to the next level. 

            We spoke about competing and I agreed that it was something I would try.  Although I did not end up competing, we trained together for months.  He taught me exercises that my former self would never dare to do, how to manipulate my body, what to eat, when to eat, and the nutrition my body needed.  He told me in the beginning, “This is the hardest thing you will ever do in your life.”  And he was correct! Prepping for the show was rigorous, tiresome and at times truly miserable. However, seeing my body transform by my own doing and my discipline was incredibly rewarding.  As a client of his I joined his team and being a part of his team was a wonderful experience.  I was no longer playing the bench and watching my teammates succeed.  We helped each other on the floor and motivated each other.  We cheered for each other when we were successful and encourage each other on the bad days. The gym became my second home.

            For financial reasons I started to train on my own, taking what he taught with me in all of my workouts and meals. I do not train as rigorously as before but I take my workouts seriously.  I never thought I would be someone giving advice to others about dieting and the importance of protein and various supplements.   My friends often ask me to train them after seeing my transformation and dedication in the gym.  I have inspired them to make a change for the better, and to help rid their couch potato tendencies as well!  I have encouraged friends to run 5k’s together and I have acted as their teammate, which I learned from training.

            When I am training in the gym each workout is a new task and I strive to make each workout better than my last. By doing so I not only make my body stronger, but my mind grows as well.  I increase my motivation and determination and feel as though the sky is the limit.  I can grow to a point where I can conquer any weight (within reason, obviously I am not the Hulk).  In order to do so I have had to prioritize my life and meticulously manage my two jobs and a full time academic schedule.  I look at my training as a journey.  There are days when I walk out feeling defeated.  My body is sore and I am exhausted.  Yet there are days when I walk out feeling triumphant.  No matter the emotion I am still progressing and accomplishing my goal. 

            As a teacher candidate I am always nervous entering a new school for practicum and although I will be prepared I am extremely nervous for my first day in my own classroom. It will be outside of my comfort zone but I know I will accomplish my goal of success in that environment as I have in the gym. I know I will have days when my body will probably be sore and I will be drained and exhausted.  But I know I will also have days when I feel triumphant.   I may not get it right every time but I will bepersistent and remain consistent even if it is the hardest thing I will ever do in my life, I won’t give up on my students.  I want to be able to inspire my students to step outside of their comfort zone and pursue their goals regardless of who may be laughing.  I have learned what it means to be a teammate and truly care for the success and well being of others from example.  I do not want to be the teacher that only cares about academics and dismisses my students when the bell rings.  I want to teach my students more than the history, but how to find within themselves the courage to pursue whatever is next for them after high school. 

I hope to pass on the notion of being a team leader and teammate to my students, something I may have never learned if I were still a couch potato!

Friends and I at an outdoor 2 hour Kickboxing event to benefit Meeting Street School!