We’re in this Together

Not only is it the title of the 2006 World Cup theme song, performed by Simply Red, but it is also the realization of my true role as a teacher.

In case you are one of the few people who don’t already know, I am the new government teacher for a private boarding school in southern Virginia.  I must confess something also:  I’ve only taught government as a substitute!  My employer knows this fact, but it also knows the bold but true statement I declared during my telephone interview:  ”…but I am quite confident that I can teach government.”  And I am.  Mostly.

When it dawned on me that I am really a government teacher, I must say that I was very overwhelmed and very scared.  You see, my graduate school program and student teaching only prepared me to teach the history aspect of social studies.  Teaching government will be from scratch for me.  However, there is a great deal of overlap in content knowledge between history and government.  I discover this truth increasingly as I continue to read government books throughout the month of April.  A former-teacher friend of mine is spot on:  ”You are smart, and you know this stuff.”  I can feel as inadequate and inept as I wish to feel, but I actually know this stuff and can and will teach government.

As I created my course descriptions last week, I learned that I actually did use some of my graduate studies in utilizing the Backwards Planning model, but formatted in paragraphs rather than bullet points.  Further, history is the study of all aspects of the past as they are relevant to present students.  Therefore, history content includes government content.  Therefore, making course outlines and syllabi become magically easy – almost.  The important content components, learning and teaching strategies, and desired student outcomes have formulated themselves naturally.  I am even almost to the point of creating my syllabus for the approved elective course on Communism in the Twentieth Century.  I am even ready to begin reading the students’ assigned reading list for the course.  Why worry, it only wastes emotions and accomplishes nothing.  I wish I could remember this tome always.

Actually, a thought came to mind as I reflected on the fact that the reading list consists of books in which I’ve only read the back covers and synopses from Amazon and Borders.  I will engage in the learning process along with the student.  So then, what will ensure I can teach this material to the children if I haven’t studied it all yet?  Simple.  I have already acquired the learning skills I wish to create in my students.  Plus, with social studies there are facts, but much social studies is discussion and sharing of ideas based on those facts.  Therefore, in such a respect, we will all be both students and teachers at the same time.  Doesn’t that sound exciting?

I share these words in the hopes that a newly-hired teacher such as myself – who may have no teaching experience in the subject that they will teach – will find his or her mind at rest and feel empowered and encouraged to take on the adventure with vigor and confidence.

In the words of the renowned actor, Rob Schneider, “You can do it!”

Take care, Eric

Uncategorized | RSS 2.0 | Respond | Trackback |