With the help of an ex-partner, I realigned my life to work with children. I started an uphill climb to becoming a teacher. 3 years at community college, 2 for my undergraduate degree in anthropology, and 2 more for a masters degree in teaching. In the year 2007 I was granted a certificate in the state of Washington to teach children k-8.
Philosophically I am a radical constructivist who believes in cooperation, anti-bias multicultural social justice work. Theoretically I agree with Paulo Freire, bell hooks, and the Apprenticeship Model. In practice I am working towards a democratic and peaceable classroom. I work to manage my class with love and logic.
This is my second year out and I love it, truly love it. I teach in Seatac, where it turns out, people actually live and not just catch airplanes. I am a good teacher, but my aspiration is to become a great teacher.
School is a different landscape now, run by test scores and where children are little more than data points. School becomes more militarized with the onset of corporate speak and maneuvers. Especially in poor schools, like the one I am in where the academic freedom of teachers is disintegrating.
This is where I will report out on the adventures from my classroom. The ups and downs, the tears and smiles, the laughter, the pressure as well as my hopes and fears.
The names of students and staff will be changed for their privacy.
