Engaging in Education
I'm back! Yes, I know it's been five years. What can I say, I've been doing a little soul searching lately and it has inspired me to write again. A lot has happened - I've moved, I got married, I'm now a father. It's insane.
It's also not what I want to talk about.
The national curriculum designed by ACARA starts being phased in next year. Of course this is a misnomer, as the syllabus we are actually following is written by the NSW Board of Studies and is substantially different to the other states and territories, but they all follow the guidelines set by ACARA. This is a big opportunity for teachers to look at the way they work with content, pedagogy and focus, and look towards improving it. Of course it's a shit load of work to rewrite programs. Of course teachers are underpaid and overworked. But it's the job, and we all knew that when we signed up.
Which is why I was so pissed off when there were teachers at the professional development day that completely disengaged from the process. Not in subtle, keep your mouth shut and pretend you're working ways but by clearly stating that you were not going to involve yourself. This means that firstly you are not interested in improving you teaching skills, which is part of the professional expectations, and secondly that you are basically going to leave all the work to other people.
I get this to a certain extent. I've been there. All teachers develop a certain level of cynicism. But to not even go through the motions. You're not standing for your principles. You're not upholding teachers rights. You're being a lazy shit.
I've been doing a great deal of thinking lately and I freely admit that I have been a lazy shit myself in the past. But life is passing by, grab the horns and go for the ride man. Especially when it's hard. Especially when you're drained and tired. Otherwise you're gonna fall off.
Teachers have a responsibility to their students and to society. That responsibility is often overplayed - it's not our job to be surrogate parents. It's not our job to see to the morals and upbringing of your children. The good teachers do it anyway, because we care.
I guess my point is be the best you can be. At everything. Don't do things half-assed, especially in your professional life. Otherwise you're not living, you're just being another bloody zombie in the apocalypse.
I don't want to be a zombie anymore.
It's also not what I want to talk about.
The national curriculum designed by ACARA starts being phased in next year. Of course this is a misnomer, as the syllabus we are actually following is written by the NSW Board of Studies and is substantially different to the other states and territories, but they all follow the guidelines set by ACARA. This is a big opportunity for teachers to look at the way they work with content, pedagogy and focus, and look towards improving it. Of course it's a shit load of work to rewrite programs. Of course teachers are underpaid and overworked. But it's the job, and we all knew that when we signed up.
Which is why I was so pissed off when there were teachers at the professional development day that completely disengaged from the process. Not in subtle, keep your mouth shut and pretend you're working ways but by clearly stating that you were not going to involve yourself. This means that firstly you are not interested in improving you teaching skills, which is part of the professional expectations, and secondly that you are basically going to leave all the work to other people.
I get this to a certain extent. I've been there. All teachers develop a certain level of cynicism. But to not even go through the motions. You're not standing for your principles. You're not upholding teachers rights. You're being a lazy shit.
I've been doing a great deal of thinking lately and I freely admit that I have been a lazy shit myself in the past. But life is passing by, grab the horns and go for the ride man. Especially when it's hard. Especially when you're drained and tired. Otherwise you're gonna fall off.
Teachers have a responsibility to their students and to society. That responsibility is often overplayed - it's not our job to be surrogate parents. It's not our job to see to the morals and upbringing of your children. The good teachers do it anyway, because we care.
I guess my point is be the best you can be. At everything. Don't do things half-assed, especially in your professional life. Otherwise you're not living, you're just being another bloody zombie in the apocalypse.
I don't want to be a zombie anymore.
posted by Brett at 4:51 pm
1 Comments:
It is with great delight you write about emerging from zombie land . Whether teacher or anyone you should live each day with a sense of purpose and if your profession is limiting your enthusiasm then leave and do society a huge favour as pursuing your strengths is better than sitting on your behind! Teachers have been my inspiration ( thanks mr onley from normo boys and Thompson from penrith)
Post a Comment
<< Home