Shakespearean tragedy, comedy, love story? I can’t help but note a fatal flaw in the sweet story teacher ed applicants imagine in interviews during this week of PAARC testing. They have dreams of saving students, transforming lives, opening doors and possibilities. I try to join them that familiar happy teacher mind-set in spite in the lingering stories of testing mess-ups and frustrations cutting into instructional time. What will happen to the idealism and hope when they face the harsh current reality?
when asked what they brought in their own dispositions to persevere in a tough job, they identified many of the things that veteran teachers describe as keeping them going and even succeeding….loving the content, loving the kids, loving seeing learning and growth occur, passion, energy, flexibility, determination.
And so I walk away believing what I said to them at the end…..it is exciting to imagine them in the profession.