A lot has been written about the need for change in our education system. In fact throughout the history of education in the United States, the most constant theme is the call for change. In this age of connectedness and instant information, we need to change the way we teach our rising generations. Our focus must shift from recitation and memorization to problem solving and critical thinking. To do this, the people of Mindsift are suggesting that we "redefine" teachers. It is suggested that we create a new story.
As teachers in the 21st Century, we need to understand and appreciate the power and challenge that is our responsibility and opportunity. We are the pathway that connects our students to the future. We need to wield that power carefully. We need to teach to contribute to a global vision. What happens in our classroom will have an impact on the world in some way, directly or indirectly. We must choose to take part so that our students may envision the global community. In order to meet the needs of our global community we must live the collaborative reality. We are stronger together. There is much to share.
I feel this passion, responsibility, and opportunity. As a teacher I strive to see daily, the individual awesomeness of my students and communicate their greatness to them. I work to make visible the power they each have to effect change in the world. Each one of us acts as a scientist in simple ways every day, my students just need the language to communicate those scientific ideas and ask the questions that will enable the critical thinking to solve the problems they face today and in the future. My influence may only be in my classroom, but that influence will change the world of my students and quite possibly much further.
In the end, I don't want to be redefined. I don't even want to be defined. I want to be free to respond to the needs of my students, the needs of our community and the needs of a global humanity.
"Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education ‘Story’." MindShift. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
As teachers in the 21st Century, we need to understand and appreciate the power and challenge that is our responsibility and opportunity. We are the pathway that connects our students to the future. We need to wield that power carefully. We need to teach to contribute to a global vision. What happens in our classroom will have an impact on the world in some way, directly or indirectly. We must choose to take part so that our students may envision the global community. In order to meet the needs of our global community we must live the collaborative reality. We are stronger together. There is much to share.
I feel this passion, responsibility, and opportunity. As a teacher I strive to see daily, the individual awesomeness of my students and communicate their greatness to them. I work to make visible the power they each have to effect change in the world. Each one of us acts as a scientist in simple ways every day, my students just need the language to communicate those scientific ideas and ask the questions that will enable the critical thinking to solve the problems they face today and in the future. My influence may only be in my classroom, but that influence will change the world of my students and quite possibly much further.
In the end, I don't want to be redefined. I don't even want to be defined. I want to be free to respond to the needs of my students, the needs of our community and the needs of a global humanity.
"Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education ‘Story’." MindShift. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.