Elisa I have had similar experiences...and it hurts. I am trying very hard to be myself...I don't hide that I want to learn and improve but I try not to throw it in people's faces either... It is hard. It is the same thing that makes it hard for anyone who believes in the concept of teacher leadership.To be a teacher leader you set yourself apart and that makes you suspect. I have just read a book that has been around a while. It is called the Teaching Gap. (Stigler and Hiebert, I believe.) One of the things that they talk about is the TIMMS study where they compared teaching methods in math and science in Japan, Germany and the US. One of the most telling statements in this book is that teaching is a cultural activity. What teachers are supposed to do and what students are supposed to do in school is a cultural expectation in each country. The difference between the US and Japan for example, is that we have no system in place to change things in a slow and systematic way. Individuals, bright shining stars may be inspirational, but when they retire, they take their expertise with them...and while they are in the classroom they often are shamed into keeping quiet by peers. Stigler and Hiebert say that nothing is wrong with US teachers, it is that most teachers have limited teaching methods that are culturally based and no systematic way to change the teaching culture. Japan has the lesson study process which teachers use to slowly and steadily change teaching. National curriculum is developed FROM the LESSONS that TEACHERS develop through lesson study rather than the other way around. Teachers learn better ways of teaching by watching each other teach and share it with others. SO...I guess what I am saying, the long way around, is that maybe the expectations for teaching and teachers are in our culture and bucking the system is hard! Jennifer In a message dated 2/8/2009 11:02:14 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, elwaingor...@cbe.ab.ca writes:
My sentiments exactly. I feel as I am seen as too eager, too studious or just too much. It's exhausting trying not to be who I am but it's also a bit alienating being the kind of teacher you describe below. I once walked into the school library where two teachers were chuckling as one showed the other my blog. There may have been nothing bad intended in the chuckle but it still made me feel sad. Elisa **************Nothing says I love you like flowers! Find a florist near you now. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=florist&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000001) _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
