Evaluating My Priorities

As this new opportunity dawns (see previous post) I have delved into the world of evaluating my priorities as an educator.  As teachers we are bombarded with often conflicting ideals, strategies, and theories about best practice.  Is direct instruction the "right way," or project based learning?  Should learning be teacher or student driven?  Should I Teach Like a Champion or Teach Like (My) Hair's on Fire?  There are so many different views of teaching and learning, as well as child psychology, there is no way to sort these all out into one neat path to "best practice."  We often depend on research to sort this out for us, but some of the research is even conflicting.  From my meager four years of teaching I have discovered one resounding truth: it's all about balance.  Balance between the teacher and the learner, the product and the process, the subject areas, and so on.  Because, when it comes down to it, every teacher and learner is different and, thus, will require a different path to enlightening, motivating, joyful learning.

With this said I began reevaluating the choice of "Teaching for Tomorrow" as the name of my blog.  Why did I choose this years ago?  Should I change it to be something more practical?  More witty?  No.  I chose that title because it is the primary motivating factor for my being a teacher.  I want to make a difference in the literal and figurative tomorrow of my students, my community and my world.  It is my desire to make every day seem a little brighter, more interesting, more curious, more hopeful, more fun...  Therefore I will do everything in my power to meet my students where they are, to help them rise their highest potential, create interesting, motivating and effective curriculum (using whatever strategy/style/theory I see fit), inspire them to make a difference in their lives, community and world, and to have fun doing it.

So what does it mean to "Teach for Tomorrow?"  Teaching for Tomorrow is preparing students to make a difference in a world that we can't even yet fathom.  Teaching them to be thoughtful problem-solvers, considerate community members, curious learners, reflective collaborators, and whatever else it takes to make a difference in the world of tomorrow.  Now, I can take the next step forward into this new land with my priorities straight, my mind open to new possibilities, and my heart dedicated to making a difference (no matter how small).  So, read on, reader and take this journey with me!