Thursday, Mar. 11, 2004
The rants and raves of a frustrated Polish Girl.
So, I'm sitting here cause sweet, kind Dr. Nester had to leave early for a meeting and asked us if we wanted to discuss Corinne or Italy? for thirty minutes or just go home.
Well, like, duh...can you all predict our unnanimous reply!
Anywho, it didn't help me any, as I still have to sit through my damned American Lit course. I still have four pages to read for that too, but screw it, I've done enough work this week and, for once, I'm not going to not finish an entire reading. Oh well.
Hmmm...so, this week has been a bit crazy. Had lots due, as I'd mentioned earlier, but I actually managed fairly well.
My Education class is going to be a constant source of frustration and stress for the rest of the semester. The first half, up to this week really, wasn't bad at all. I just read and did my homework, wrote the two papers assigned, went to class, and was, overall a good little student. But I have this massive Assessment project to complete for the end of the semester, which my partner and I have already started due to the fact that we had an outline due today. This thing will, most likely, eventually be probably about eighty to a hundred pages long.
Oh boy.
So, anyways, my list of tasks to accomplish over break, school wise, is quite large as a result.
I have to:
1. Read Nana for Continental Lit and, hopefully, Anna Karenena as well.
2. Attempt to get through about 200 pages of Emerson's fine literary works in addition to trying to plough through Moby Dick. Both of which are for American Lit.
3. I need to observe for and complete my Ecological Inventory for ED...a paper that shouldn't be hard to write as it is just talking about my observations of a handicapped child.
4. Get all the activities and objectives of my Final Assessment Unit set and ready to go. That should be a good ten pages of work.
5. Organize and, essentially finish, my presentation for Adolescent Psych.
Hmmm. I think that is all. Not much really in reflection. (Note my sarcasm.) Lets hope I manage to remain motivated and get all of this done as it will be a HUGE help in getting on top of things for the second, grinding half of the semester.
Though, honestly, I think I am doing rather well at the moment. Most girls from my ED class have already broken down in tears from the stress and strain of both the class and the teacher. I have yet to. I haven't even come close. In fact, I feel okay.
I mean sure, the woman and all the work makes me seriously question my dedication to becoming a teacher. I think we education majors actually may have signed up for a college experience full of self punishment, stress, and strain. Seriously. Not to mention that we become skilled acrobats and contortionists as we are forced to jump through innumerable hoops and switch perspectives and positions so quickly.
It really is rough and I find myself getting pissed off at how terribly teacher's are being treated. Read Epiphany's journal from the past two weeks to see what I'm getting at (epiphany.diaryland.com). Teachers, especially Early Childhood Educators, are put through this rigorous mileu of courses, work, blood, sweat, and tears and then we get crapped on by both the government and society.
There can't ever be an adequate salary that compensates teacher's for the important job that we do, so I guess everyone has decided just to give us close to nothing instead. I mean, lets face it, its not like people become teachers for the money. We really do love the field and are passionate about what we do. We all understand the importance of what it is we are capable of doing. I mean, to educate a child is an amazing thing that takes a special kind of talent and personality. Afterall, not everyone has the ability to handle the responsibility of educating the society of tomorrow.
Yet no one, except us, seems to understand it. Sure everyone says they do, but they really have no idea. Which is why teaching salaries are absolute crap. It is also why governmental policy in regards to education and teaching, especially in the back asswards state of Massachusetts, is so freaking unfair to students and teachers alike. All of which stems from society's inability, as a whole, to truley understand and appreciate the work that we do and to recognize and attempt to change how undervalued we actually are.
Grr. Do you see now why I'm questioning my career choice? Its not just the class. Its not just the professor. Its just that I'm realizing how abominable the situation for teacher's is.
But you know what, I really must be glutton for punishment because I'm going to stick with it. I'm going to keep on chugging away and complete one of the hardest undergrad programs that is out there today.
Why?
Because I love kids. Becaue I have this intrinsic need to nurture and guide them. Becuase I want to be a part, not matter how small, of a field that really does affect people and change lives. I want to do something that is actually contributes to society, no matter how unappreciated it may be.
Teaching is something not all people are capable of and I know I can do it and do it well. So, why the hell shouldn't I?!
Quite frankly, there isn't any reason why not.
Well, there is, but I need to give myself a good pep talk so that I graduate with a teaching degree.
Please do me a faovr and remind me of this entry when my mother frigger of an Assessment Plan is due.
Okay?
ted-ted at 11:54 a.m.