Disciplinary Lenses

1. Disciplinary lenses:

My research has been centered around finding a way to better implement existential philosophy into the high school classroom; moreover, how to incorporate a level of philosophy often found in the collegiate or post graduate level, and make it accessible to younger students. The literature studied in high school is riddled with deep, philosophical themes, and makes itself readily available to study, if gone about the right way. Prior to teaching, I assumed that I would be able to go into the high school classroom and be able to deliver the lectures my professors did and receive the same level of enthusiasm and interest as the students and I had; however, what I found was that it was either going way over the students' heads, or they were simply not interested. I had to quickly change my game plan, and deliver the material in a way that would first pique their interest, and then encourage them to discuss, and dive further into the material. 

Through my research, my reading, and my teaching, I have found better ways to engage the students into these philosophies, and that is to first interest them in the novels and literature. Through use of literature, you can engage the students' imaginations, make them want to find out more about these novels. If the novels are taught the right way, and the teacher is able to engage the students into the story, then you can begin to peel back the layers, and show the students how the author has written this text to not only entertain but be a social commentary about race, identity, gender roles, et cetera. Now the students are able to see the process of removing the layers, and digging deeper, and they want to do it themselves, they want to read more and find these themes. What is great about this is you can show the connection not only in books, but in movies, or television shows, or comics, students can use most any medium to discuss this philosophy. Now, the students are wanting to discuss literary criticism and existentialism, because they find it in things they love, and also know ow to find it, know how to talk about it, and most importantly, it relates to them. These issues of identity are so permanent to a high schooler because so many of them a questioning who they are, or what they want to be, and these texts allow an escape, and way to better understand the thoughts they are having, and show them that they are not alone in these thoughts. I hope to create a curriculum which focuses on this principle, and have it be readily usable by teachers across the board. 

2. The Death and Life of the Great American School System

How do you think the Common Core standards might fit in this narrative of school reform?

In Chapter 9, Ravitch says critics argue that schools would improve if unions ceased to exist. [...] What argument does she present based on available research? What do you think?

I feel that the common core standards, on paper, have some validity and could be a good thing. I do feel that schools need some way of measuring progress, and that, for the most part, the information being delivered to students across the US should be uniform; however, the current system is clearly flawed because of the level of importance placed on testing. Common Core presents the essentials that students need to learn. Thinking of the English standards, these are things such as literary analysis, writing ability, speaking ability, et cetera. I am not sure anyone can argue these are not skills we should be teaching to stundents, but where the breakdown occurs is when lessons and materials begin to be prescribed. If a teacher is given material they do not care about, the students are more than likely also not going to care about it. But if schools, and teachers are able to develop their own curriculum utilizing these standards, but in their own way, I believe schools will flourish. Furthermore, testing should be used within the school to determine how successful they are being, and give them feedback about areas to improve. Testing should be created by teachers, with students in mind. Right now, the tests are considered to be far too important, and they become the focus. So rather than teaching material and knowledge, teachers are forced to teach test taking strategies, ultimately hurting our youth. Of course this is also something that sounds good on paper, but in implication would probably fail, but it takes time to create a perfect situation, and it takes collaboration across the board, and I think bringing in teachers to create the tests would be a better start, similar to the AP exams. 

As far as unions go, these are also something that is great on paper, but in application tend to fail, the reason being because of human nature. Unions were originally set in place to protect women and other minorities from being fired unjustly, today, they are set in place to protect anyone and everyone from being fired, so long as they pay their, often ridiculous, dues. What this creates is a system where people are almost impossible to fire, and know it. When you know that you are not at risk of losing your job, you will slowly begin to slack off. It might be going from being early for every staff meeting, well prepared for every class, and staying late to finish as much as possible, and then moving towards missing a meeting here or there, taking a few extra days off, being slightly less prepared, and leaving right when the contracted hours end. Incentive is removed, and when there is no incentive what is the point of trying? Human nature will eventually kick in. 

Also, this creates a system where tenured teachers are secure, and new incoming teachers can barely get a job, let alone hold one without the label of "temporary" employee, and the fear of being let go at anytime. Though the flip side is not great either, merit pay, because the focus becomes doing all you can to be paid the most as opposed to teaching because you want to teach, and you want to educate children. I feel that there must be a happy medium, level of pay based on quality of work, and work ethic, as well as protection. I feel like there should be a checks and balance system, where teachers are reviewed, and called to own up to their work. Also, giving incentive to wanting to try your hardest, and be present for staff meetings, having availability before, and after school. Why this may seem like a lot of work to some people, there are plenty of people willing to offer all of this, and why not give the job to them? I have a love/hate relationship with unions, mainly because I feel they tend to have misguided focus, their focus rarely falls on the students, and that is why we are in the schools in the first place, isn't it? 

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

by Robert Herrick

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,

   Old Time is still a-flying;

And this same flower that smiles today

   Tomorrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, 

   The higher he's a-getting,

The sooner will his race be run,

   And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,

   When youth and blood are warmer;

But being spent, the worse, and worst

   Times still succeed the former. 

Then be not coy, but use your time,

   And while ye may, go marry;

For having lost but once your prime,

   You may forever tarry.