Chapter 12 Treasured Places

The following quotes are taken from The Shame of the Nation, written by Jonathan Kozol.

"In these settings, teachers do not tend to let concerns about our nation’s competition on the gobal marketplace intrude upon the more important needs of childhood, such as the right to find some happiness in being children.” Chapter 12, Page 286.

I think it is important for teachers to let children be children. But as teachers we also need to educate students in issues that affect society. I think that middle school and high school students should be aware of current events that are happening worldwide. I remember in high school, my history teacher made each student find an article from a newspaper that talked about a current issue. This created a great class discussion and was very informative. The global marketplace is a current issue in education and I think it is important for students to know what is happening because one day it will affect them.

“Students in these schools still have to take the standardized exams that are required of all children in our public schools, and some of the anxieties associated with these tests and with the annual publication of the scores are present in these schools as well; but nobody tells the children that their test results define their worthiness or that these numbers measure their identities.” Chapter 12, Pages 286-287.

It is sad to think of how much pressure we put on students because of standardized testing. Children do not realize the consequences of low test scores, and nor should they. Students and schools are put under so much stress to achieving high scores and better results that people do not always look at how it is affecting children and teachers. In my college education classes we learn about different ways to assess children, why can’t we work to find a new way to measure a child’s learning.

“In class, she says, if children see her in a conversation with a man, they usually ask if he’s her boyfriend. They notice everything! Teacher, I like the way you did your hair today! Teacher, you have pretty earrings! Teacher, you have nice new shoes! They notice every little thing I change in my appearance.” Chapter 12, Page 288.

This statement is so true! Children notice everything. This does not only relate to appearance, but also how teachers interact socially and physically. Teachers need to be very careful of how they portray themselves in/out of their classroom.  Children can sense when a person is overwhelmed, nervous, excited or sad. It is important for teachers to leave their personal life outside the classroom and not let it interfere when teaching.

“I don’t know how I am going to survive this,” Mr. Bedrock says she told him in the week after her mother died. “You know, I’m just eleven.” Like the other children who are sitting at her table next to Mr. Bedrock’s desk, she keeps getting up and hovering about him in this next-to-final day of school, as if she doesn’t want the camaraderie to end.” Chapter 12, Page 291.

Going into the teaching profession it is important to realize that this is a career that is twenty-four hour and seven days a week job. Teachers need to be there for students in and out of school. It is important of students to trust their teachers because sometimes they have no one at home to rely on or talk to. For instance, if a child has a really bad morning because he spilt milk all over the table and his mom yelled at him. In this situation the child’s academic work might suffer because the earlier morning event is still effecting him. Teachers need to be encouraging, patient, and understanding because it helps students to feel more at ease in the classroom.

“He vents his feelings on these matters frequently in talking with Miss Rose. She gets impatient with him sometimes; but she likes him and she knows he’s a good teacher, and says she always tries to hear him out.” Chapter 12, Page 295.

I love this quote. It shows that teachers are supporting each other when they need to the most. Administrators and teachers might have different opinion on curriculum, grading, and such, but they still need to listen and be respectful of each other’s ideas. I like that this quote shows teachers become impatient and frustrated because it tends to happens a lot in the teaching profession.

“Schools can probably survive quite well without their rubric charts and numbered standards-listing plastering the walls. They can’t survive without good teachers and, no matter what curriculum may be in place, whether it’s approved by state officials or by Washington or not, they are no good at all if teachers are unable to enjoy the work they do and be invigorated by its unpredictable.” Chapter 12, Pages 299-300.
 Again, another quote from Kozol’s book that I loved. Good teachers are everything to a school system. I truly believe the best teachers can teach in the worse conditions. There are so many unpredictable daily and sometimes hourly events that occur within the school day, teachers need to be able to handle what comes at them with a positive go-getter attitude. But in the end good teachers love the good and turn the bad into something great.