1. My school year is off to a a bittersweet start! I have a great group of students who are eager and motivated to learn. They are kind and enjoy being around each other, but the weight of test scores and the evolving state of education in the US has felt really heavy already this year. It feels like all the joy has been removed from teaching and learning, and trying to push it back in is frowned upon. Speaking with fellow educators who feel the same way is what's keeping me going.
2. Where and to what audience I hope to present my curriculum after the certificate is ended is hard! I think my goals would be to share with my grade level team and my principal in hopes that this content continues to be incorporated into the curriculum even with the looming possibility of changing curriculum.
I hear you on the testing regime, Ami. It's so disheartening.
That is a rough start! I feel your pain as I also have an extra-needy group this year. We have lots of new teachers, which is good for us, but it does make collaboration a bit more challenging as they are trying to stay afloat!
I hope that you will feel inspired despite the messaging and know that you are empowered to engage your students in meaningful ways!
Ooh, I felt that. Looking at these test scores is like 😱. As we have been taught and expected to develop the whole child in our educational journeys, I am disgusted at our current state of education and the dismantling of it. I too am searching for the joy. I am constantly reminding myself to fix my face as I am wearing my emotions. Sending strength.
I hope this class community and the connections we've all developed over the summer can help sustain and bring meaning in the face of a very stringent regime of testing and measuring. We ARE in the youth uplift business - our primary ethical role. Thank you for sharing your frustrations and it's my hope that we can together continue to push for an education that truly lifts up the whole child.
And maybe your curriculum presentation to colleagues can play a part in that!