Coming from a small town in Iowa I considered my high school experience a typical one which seems ridiculous now that I've moved away, made friends with people outside of high school and experienced more of the world. There is not really a "typical" high school experience, each is unique and different. I now consider my high school experience to be be like one portrayed in a movie about Americana, which is also probably ridiculous, but I really can't help but think of Varsity Blues or Friday Night Lights without considering my own experience.
As a high school student I was involved with and moved around different social, atheletic and academic groups. I was able to do so partly because of my own varied interests (and propensity for trying as many different things as possible without committment to one) and partly because I went to a small school where is was possible to be involved in all the sports, academics, and arts at once. I enjoyed being able to jump from one activity to another and gaining experiences with many different subjects and people.
Teaching high school is a terrifying concept to me. I fear apathy. I fear not understanding. I fear not being able to be a friend/counselor/role model. I especially fear not living up to my own expectations. I fear parents, colleagues and administration.
I expect that teaching high school will teach me things about myself that I never knew- my own limitations and how far I am able to go. I hope that teaching will help me to become a better person and that will help me to help students become better people.
While I am terrified about actually teaching, I am also excited. I am excited to introduce a new subject, point of view or material to a student and have them become excited about it. I am excited to be the kind of teacher that students will approach with problems and to share joys. I am excited to make a catalogue of ridiculous stories to tell my friends (names changed, of course). And I am excited to be able to make things with other people who want to make things every day.
I share the some of the same fears. I can be very critical with myself and not living up to my on expectations can be really nerve racking to think about. I believe that the first year we teach, we may not attain the level of excellence that we may have received and are accustomed to. In time though, and with practice we will soon be among the ranks of the best. I agree that it will be super exciting to make art everyday with other people. It should be fun.
ReplyDeleteI agree with DLUM! I experience a lot of those fears also. But it's the fear that makes us work harder, no? To be better prepared. To ensure we're entering into a situation with the proper equipment and know-how.
ReplyDeleteWhat helps me is knowing that mistakes and shortcomings are often what help us grow and learn best. And perhaps most efficiently! I feel like my failures are always really obvious to me, and my successes--not so much. Thus, I know that the fears and problems I'll face as a first-year teacher are going to challenge me in all the right ways. I hope you feel the same!
I also attended a small high school and was sort of a social butterfly, with varied interests. Small schools can offer a lot of opportunities for extracurricular participation. In some cases, students overload themselves with activities. I think art is a great escape for them.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading several posts from our class, I believe that we all have common fears. The thought of teaching high school is both terrifying and exciting. I'm guessing UAYSFA will be a great indicator of the strengths we all possess and will help us become confident educators.