Independence

There are lots of things changing in education in NJ and the country.  Some - hell, many - teachers are considering leaving the profession.  I believe much of the legislation and change is designed to push the best ones out, leaving the field with the naive, easily duped ones.  Those will be the ones most likely to take low pay, very long hours, poor curriculum, and no interest in the well-being of their students.

I think about quitting on a regular basis.  It is never due to the happenings in the classroom.  It is always a result of some other terrible thing tossed our way.  But like a stubborn little woman, I keep on plugging away.

One of the independent presses I buy books from has a book coming out on the young set.  It's supposed to be about empowerment in this era of uncertainty.  I know I will buy it.  But the dilemma is whether I buy it for myself, or to put it in the classroom.  I have so many students who cannot make decisions for themselves.  Oh sure, they decide to drink like crazy or smoke or do other drugs.  Very adult of them of course.  But when it comes to a decision regarding a project, their future desires, or even what to get for lunch (love lunch duty), they cannot make a decision.  I have students who freak out with every new assignment.  If they have not been told exactly what to do, they panic or sit there stumped.  And that is not to make fun of them.  It just troubles me.  Have the parents/guardians caused this lack of independence by coddling their charges?  If there is ever something negative in their lives, mommy or daddy call the school and harangue those responsible.  Or are those non-educators responsible for education legislation to blame?  Who cares about independent thought when all that matters is filling in the right bubble on the standardized test.

So I will keep trying to make my students independent thinkers.  I will not put answers in their mouths.  Because that is not synonymous with teaching.