Comments on: The art of being an unreasonable educator http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/ Thoughts About Empowering Students with Technology Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:04:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Bill Kerr http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-18817 Bill Kerr Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:09:44 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-18817 yes and no - you can point a finger at a systemic blockage point without succumbing to victim mentality (I agree the latter is a real problem) - but I can give real examples, everyday, where "the system" which is not my system is preventing stuff happening and all I can do at least in the short term is expose it but not change it being unreasonable, I think it's one of those slogans which does require further analysis yes and no – you can point a finger at a systemic blockage point without succumbing to victim mentality (I agree the latter is a real problem) – but I can give real examples, everyday, where “the system” which is not my system is preventing stuff happening and all I can do at least in the short term is expose it but not change it

being unreasonable, I think it’s one of those slogans which does require further analysis

]]> By: Sylvia Martinez http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-18647 Sylvia Martinez Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:31:08 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-18647 Hi Bill, I think it is correct to acknowledge that we are part of the system. Saying "we are the system" is not a complete analysis, but simply a shortcut way to say that finger-pointing isn't the answer to problems. Hi Bill,
I think it is correct to acknowledge that we are part of the system. Saying “we are the system” is not a complete analysis, but simply a shortcut way to say that finger-pointing isn’t the answer to problems.

]]> By: Bill Kerr http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-18576 Bill Kerr Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:55:18 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-18576 It's not correct IMO to say "we are the system". The system consists of "the Department" (bosses who propagate curriculum documents and other forms of BS), teachers (implementors, who do the real work) and the students. Each has their own culture (and subcultures) and ways of doing things, the coexistence is often fragile. I wrote an article about this in the context of disadvantaged schools some years ago. <a href='http://www.users.on.net/~billkerr/a/reality.htm' rel="nofollow">reality </a> It’s not correct IMO to say “we are the system”. The system consists of “the Department” (bosses who propagate curriculum documents and other forms of BS), teachers (implementors, who do the real work) and the students. Each has their own culture (and subcultures) and ways of doing things, the coexistence is often fragile.

I wrote an article about this in the context of disadvantaged schools some years ago. reality

]]> By: Brenda http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-18002 Brenda Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:07:27 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-18002 These are seven wonderful things to tell young teachers. Teachers should stand up and fight for what they believe in. Often, teachers give up too easily on projects and some students. Teachers should always keep an open mind. I am the first one to admit that I do not know everything or the correct way to do everything. I really like the dream big idea. Students learn in different ways, therefore, we need to come up with new, different ways to teach. I have to come up with ways to keep students creative and learn how to teach themselves. Good luck to everyone else with there dreams. These are seven wonderful things to tell young teachers. Teachers should stand up and fight for what they believe in. Often, teachers give up too easily on projects and some students. Teachers should always keep an open mind. I am the first one to admit that I do not know everything or the correct way to do everything. I really like the dream big idea. Students learn in different ways, therefore, we need to come up with new, different ways to teach. I have to come up with ways to keep students creative and learn how to teach themselves. Good luck to everyone else with there dreams.

]]> By: Sylvia Martinez http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-17867 Sylvia Martinez Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:13:52 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-17867 Carolyn, Actually I said it on the Educon panel. A couple of people picked it up in the live blogging and it came out all wrong. Like we should be mean or something. So I figured I better explain myself. It's funny, someone else wrote a glowing review of "me" on the Educon panel and it was all about what Joyce said! Guess we look alike. Bob, There are quite a few stories and videos of student empowerment on the Generation YES website - http://www.genyes.com Carolyn,
Actually I said it on the Educon panel. A couple of people picked it up in the live blogging and it came out all wrong. Like we should be mean or something. So I figured I better explain myself.

It’s funny, someone else wrote a glowing review of “me” on the Educon panel and it was all about what Joyce said! Guess we look alike.

Bob,
There are quite a few stories and videos of student empowerment on the Generation YES website – http://www.genyes.com

]]> By: Bob http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-17691 Bob Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:21:10 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-17691 This post topic sounds familiar to many of us who have thought and acted as you describe. I used to advise my colleagues to choose the issue over which they will go to the mat, because someone will take them there. We agreed with the sentiments of your blog title to empower students. Many of yesterday's rebels appear targets of today's rebels! I'm new to your blog, and I'm curious. Will you please direct me to where I may read how your self "unreasonable" behavior patterns yielded empowered students? I'd like to read those stories. This post topic sounds familiar to many of us who have thought and acted as you describe. I used to advise my colleagues to choose the issue over which they will go to the mat, because someone will take them there. We agreed with the sentiments of your blog title to empower students. Many of yesterday’s rebels appear targets of today’s rebels! I’m new to your blog, and I’m curious. Will you please direct me to where I may read how your self “unreasonable” behavior patterns yielded empowered students? I’d like to read those stories.

]]> By: ldtchr http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-17687 ldtchr Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:02:04 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-17687 Sylvia, I agree - being seen as a force of nature is often challenging, but it certainly is rewarding!! I often find myself looked at cross-eyed or being asked how I have time for my student to do what they do, but when I look at the benefits and growth in my students and their skills I respond the only way I feel I can: how can I justify not taking the time? Amy http://www.bartosworld.blogspot.com Sylvia,
I agree – being seen as a force of nature is often challenging, but it certainly is rewarding!! I often find myself looked at cross-eyed or being asked how I have time for my student to do what they do, but when I look at the benefits and growth in my students and their skills I respond the only way I feel I can: how can I justify not taking the time?

Amy
http://www.bartosworld.blogspot.com

]]> By: Carolyn Foote http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-17683 Carolyn Foote Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:22:03 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-17683 Sylvia, I love this post! Ironically, even the most outspoken of us sometimes need this reminder--to stick to our guns and to fight for what we believe works and is important, because it is about kids. Interestingly, I recall this coming up in the panel discussions at Educon--can't remember if it was something you or Joyce Valenza said, but since then, several times, when I've hesitated, I've pushed myself forward because of it. Karl Fisch is right, that we are the system. If we as educators don't ask the questions, don't avoid turning our classrooms into test drills, and don't ever try something out of the box, then how will change ever happen? I think we have to ask why not? rather than answer why. Now, my next wish--is that we tell this not only to one another in the blogosphere, but "outside" the blogosphere at every opportunity. Sometimes just hearing that we have permission is something that we pay forwards. Thanks again. Sylvia,

I love this post!

Ironically, even the most outspoken of us sometimes need this reminder–to stick to our guns and to fight for what we believe works and is important, because it is about kids.

Interestingly, I recall this coming up in the panel discussions at Educon–can’t remember if it was something you or Joyce Valenza said, but since then, several times, when I’ve hesitated, I’ve pushed myself forward because of it.

Karl Fisch is right, that we are the system. If we as educators don’t ask the questions, don’t avoid turning our classrooms into test drills, and don’t ever try something out of the box, then how will change ever happen?

I think we have to ask why not? rather than answer why.

Now, my next wish–is that we tell this not only to one another in the blogosphere, but “outside” the blogosphere at every opportunity. Sometimes just hearing that we have permission is something that we pay forwards.

Thanks again.

]]> By: Bill Ferriter http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-17678 Bill Ferriter Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:45:10 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-17678 Fun post, Sylvia----and one that I've mastered in my career! Unreasonable is definitely an adjective in my personal profile already. I find that walking in your confident footsteps is actually a dozen times harder today than ever before primarily because we're in a "data driven" school culture now. The first thing that I'm asked most of the time when laying out my plans for any forward-thinking project is "Do you have any numbers to back up your plan? What does the research say?" Automatically, my knowledge of my students and the content-specific pedagogy for my subject is cheapened. What I know isn't as important as what I can prove. That's frustrating. But that's also why I love educators who blog! By writing about our work, we give one another ammunition to use to convince those who don't automatically "trust" us. I can't tell you how many times I've sat down with my seemingly unreasonable plan and used blog entries from Konrad, Brian Crosby, Darren K, KJ, and company as my "proof." Anyone else using bloggers to build a case for revolutionary practice? Bill Fun post, Sylvia—-and one that I’ve mastered in my career! Unreasonable is definitely an adjective in my personal profile already.

I find that walking in your confident footsteps is actually a dozen times harder today than ever before primarily because we’re in a “data driven” school culture now. The first thing that I’m asked most of the time when laying out my plans for any forward-thinking project is “Do you have any numbers to back up your plan? What does the research say?”

Automatically, my knowledge of my students and the content-specific pedagogy for my subject is cheapened. What I know isn’t as important as what I can prove. That’s frustrating.

But that’s also why I love educators who blog! By writing about our work, we give one another ammunition to use to convince those who don’t automatically “trust” us. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down with my seemingly unreasonable plan and used blog entries from Konrad, Brian Crosby, Darren K, KJ, and company as my “proof.”

Anyone else using bloggers to build a case for revolutionary practice?

Bill

]]> By: Eric Grant http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/comment-page-1/#comment-17676 Eric Grant Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:41:25 +0000 http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/02/18/the-art-of-being-an-unreasonable-educator/#comment-17676 Sylvia, I am reminded of Karl Fisch's words during a group discussion about how how "the system" inhibits change. He said "We are the system". Sylvia, I am reminded of Karl Fisch’s words during a group discussion about how how “the system” inhibits change.

He said “We are the system”.

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