Thomas & Gallagher: Wow, am I Inspired (for 9/6/17)
I must say, for a first reading to start off a course, I am beyond inspired by the wordy wisdom of P.L. Thomas' in the article, "To High School English Teachers (And All Teachers) and Kelly Gallagher's opening chapter of, Teaching Adolescent Writers (shout out to Dr. J!). Not only did I find Gallagher's textbook surprisingly (but not too surprisingly) easy to read because of a powerful voice presence, but I also felt comforted by Thomas' advice as if the piece was like something coming from a "pedagogy Yoda" for lack of a better term. Anyways, I'm going to pretend like I have the fortunate opportunity to have dinner with these two educational scholars, and lay out the #1 thing I would want to discuss with each of them.
I'll start with E.L. Thomas first because that article just so happened to be the first I read. Similarly from this article, the subject of professionalism with teachers has been a hot topic for practicum. On the surface, I definitely understand where everyone is coming from: teachers are one of many criticized and critiqued professions from voices in every direction, and it's important that we recognize this and always show "the best versions of ourselves". But I still find myself grappling with the fact that no one is perfect, not even the teacher who could be the next best thing for a school was a star student (or maybe they were, who knows).Regardless, I feel like as educators we are expected to be role models, but what about being role models of having weaknesses and struggles from our past and current lives? This isn't to say that there aren't circumstances where we need to maintain a level of professionalism, but what I'm wondering from Thomas is how can teachers begin to reach students on an honest, authentic level without sacrificing the standards of professionalism? Because I know that I was a student once, and I did things that I wasn't supposed to be, but would an administrative board ask for my resignation if I refused to hide who I once was? Where is the line E.L. Thomas? I don't want to accidentally cross it!
As for chapter #1 of Gallagher's textbook, I would love to hear about how the rise in technology use would play into the conversation of teaching writing. From what I immediately recall, I don't think Gallagher brings up technology at all and I find that fascinating. Granted this text was published in 2006, but still, I can vividly remember being interested in cell phones and communicating with my friends via text messaging during that time (and this is back when T9word was an individual skill to master). Maybe this is a subject that's just around the next page in terms of this text, but with schools today going 1:1 and the use of technology becoming an entirely different content that youth need to master for the real world, I'm curious at how Gallagher would find a balance the pen and the keyboard in the classroom. To me, there is a significant difference between holding a paper book and reading from a computer, and another challenge for teachers is to showcase the value (but also disadvantage) of both mediums.
That's what I got for now!
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ReplyDeleteIt posted before I had time to edit my comment! See below for edited comment :)
ReplyDeleteHi Janine,
Great job on your post! The article by P.L. Thomas was definitely my favorite because I thought it included some of the best overall advice for teachers I've ever heard! I feel it is so important that he addresses the reality of many teachers losing sight of what they are really there for-to teach and to reach their students on an individual level, apart from the (often questionable, in my eyes) expectations and standards set forth by the high stakes testing environment. I completely agree this is a big issue and challenge. As teachers, I imagine we will initially struggle to find the right balance between teaching for the test and teaching for the student. Unfortunately, I don't think these cookie cutter tests will ever be eradicated completely because of society's infatuation with using them to measure progress...what do you think?
Janine, I like the immediate relationship you strike with these two authors, and will be curious what you think of Christensen when you get to her work. I've been reading Thomas' blogs for a while now, so I think your fears that he is expecting perfectionism are unfounded. That said, he is a deeply political guy and has extremely high expectations for members of the profession. Not that they be perfect, but that they work hard to support all students in all situations. And Gallagher is definitely dated, as you point out. You're not going to get any digital stuff from him, so that will be our challenge as a class--to update some of his amazing strategies!
ReplyDeleteJanine, I think the word "perfect," as straightforward as it seems, is a very subjective term. I don't necessarily think that Thomas is calling for teachers to be flawless, which is one definition of the word, but rather that they stay committed to both the craft and their students in a way that allows them to be as efficient as possible. A "perfect" teacher to one student may be a nightmare for another. I think focusing more on the students than on ourselves and all the small and frivolous requirements and details is the first step towards "perfection."
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate you reading critically and asking questions while you read Gallagher. The prospect of technology and how it will interact and interfere with literacy issues is one that must be discussed, especially when we consider how many hours a day we and our students are on electronic devices (literally writing on one right now!). I think Gallagher has some really strong ideas, but I think questions like yours and the answers that follow could make his writing even more impactful. Good stuff!
First of all- love love love your blog title.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we may get lost in the bowels of pedagogy at times, but as Christiansen and Gallagher noted, we have to hold fast to our intentions of teaching for the love of the craft and the subject.
I also really enjoyed your use of language throughout the blog- from having dinner with the authors to questioning Gallagher on the use of balancing the use of a pen and computer in her classrooms. Can't wait to read another!