Race, class and gender

Ver'nost and an open heart

I often complain about my undergraduate program. I feel as though it did not prepare me for teaching at all. They even warned me, “You will not be prepared for teach”. They gave me many wonderful lesson ideas (which I haven’t used at all….) and many great resources for curriculum (which I also haven’t used…). But there was clearly a lacking of ver’nost. No one prepared me for the connections that I would make with students. They are stronger than most connections I have ever made. I certainly think that a few philosophy requirements would have better prepared me for teaching. Even the reading of Rose’s work would have been suitable.

Countless behavior management workshops have told me that in order for my students to respect me, I need to respect them. Some have even mentioned that students can read your eyes better than your words. I would try to respect my students, but it never seemed to do anything. It wasn’t until I truly got to know my students, and meet them where they were, that I began to respect them. The beginning of the school year is always incredibly hard for me. I put so much time into my students. But by the end of the year, (like right now) I discover how much I love my students. I also see how much they count on me and need me. They know I will be there, everyday greeting them at the door. Perhaps ver’nost is not something that teachers can learn how to do with students. But if we can learn to be open, maybe we can try to reach it.

I think there is a huge issue in education today. Relying on high stakes tests to prove growth and progress is not the way to form educational practices. Each student that walks into the door is unlike any other student. Research tells us that because students come from such diverse backgrounds we cannot rely on these tests. But we continue to do it. Grading is easy. The numbers are easy. The comparisons can easily be made. I am hoping that the shift has started. I am already hearing many things about changes with the current EOG. I have heard that there will be added sections. They will begin to use short answer questions and essay questions. It isn’t much, but at least it is a step in the right direction.
Sarah Feinman