While discussing the article "Engage me or Enrage me" in class yesterday, I asked my College Comp II class how often they were engaged in school. (I think it should be in every class period). But remarkably, they said that it didn't happen nearly as often as I hoped.
I asked them why. What caused them to disengage or zone out?
One common theme was that students could tell when a teacher was just going through the motions. Furthermore, they said this happened a lot. Now, this might not be here necessarily since many of these kids have PSEO classes. But still . . . how can you not love what you teach?
I was shocked. As one who loves what he does, I was amazed that some students couldn't see how passionate their teachers are about what they teach.
But that doesn't come across.
How many of us are just going through the motions and picking up a check?
Another example - this damned bus video.
It's the same one we've watched for a decade now. It's so horrid and belittling to intelligent kids that it could be used at Guantanamo!
Yet, we subject kids to this stupid video every year. Our kids could create a far better - and legit - video than this one. Or we could find a more modern one.
But we just go through the motions again . . . and no one takes the video seriously. Just like too many students don't take class seriously.
Yet, when we don't go through the motions - usually in our personal lives or doing what we love - in athletics or coaching or playing with out kids - we enjoy it so much more and it's far more meaningful.
Why can't we apply this to school?
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