I have been thinking and semi-researching becoming a teacher. Coincidentally, Tracie and I went to see this movie yesterday.
Well, perhaps not coincidentally, we've both been talking about teaching for a number of months. Tracie had picked the film and I knew nothing about it, besides that it was set in rural France and had to do with a teacher.
Tracie's deciding on whether or not she is going to go to a workshop for teaching this summer, and I am pondering whether I am cut from the right cloth to teach. Or more importantly if that is my next step in life. I am looking into the NYC Teaching Fellows. I have an email sitting in my inbox from about a month and a half ago that I need to formulate a response and send in with my application (which may in fact be too late for next summer). I am afraid of screwing some kids up, and afraid of not knowing enough to teach anyone. I'm feeling lame in other words.
I've been working at this organization for over 3 years, as an IT professional (whatever that means) and it seems it's time to have more direct daily contact with people, and people I can benefit for that matter.
The movie was poignant for me in that it reminded that I can do this, and should do this, not because it's time to move on, but it is time to make the change I seek.
Perhaps it is time to plan a little and... do, do, do?
I recommend this movie to all of you out there. If not, for the appreciation of teaching, then simply for the appreciation of life and more importantly childhood.
yay! you should do it. i think everyone should see that movie.it reminds you that kids are wonderful to work with, and that it's truly rewarding.
If you are still wondering, or if the inspiration from the movie has waned let me just say that; in my classes there are a lot of teachers because somehow this program is good for fulfilling some sort of teacher certification requirement. SO after having met a few of NYC's teachers i can say with confidence that if you are worried about your qualifications.. don't. I was a little surprised to learn that these folks were in charge of educating our youth. If they can do it i think you, the both of you, would be extremely qualified. In fact, if the rest of your teaching peers are similar to these oafs then my concern would be your dissatisfaction with your colleagues more than with yourself or the students. These are some right thick headed, obtuse, oddballs that are surely screwing with a few youthful brains... in a bad sense. Although i certainly am not reducing all of NYC's teachers i am just saying that if these folks can be teachers i know you can and would be excellent at it. I think it would have been cool to have you guys as a teacher. And even beyond any sort of relative comparison.. even if all the teachers in my program were brilliant, i would still say that. But hey... If most of the people in my program are lug nuts.. what is the saying about if everyone around you is a jerk then chances are you are not alone.. where do i fit in?? Ok, i shouldn't slam my program so much there are a few people who aren't foolish, but the others are queering the gig up a bit. SO now i am going to go see that french movie you spoke of so fondly.
a bien tot, Derek