my teaching philosophy.

Well, it's been a while since a post but let me explain the reasoning in this.  Between coaching volleyball 5 days a week, working 9 hours Saturday and Sunday waitressing, teaching 9-4 five days a week, and attempting to stay in great running shape, along with sleeping, enjoying being outside as much as possible, and trying to help with track (which hasn't happened as much as i'd like)... i really haven't had time to put thought to keyboard.  But as this Saturday afternoon is clouding up with the approaching summer thunder, I am taking time to write.  Have no fear my thoughts the past few weeks have been abundant, and many but I have one thought that has really dug deep on me the past few days.

My teaching philosophy.  It was asked of me when i interviewed for my first job and to be honest, I didn't have one.  Could I truly have my OWN philosophy without ever really having a class that I educated?  Could I really have a any idea, insight or opinion in the education system?  I think not.  But as my experience increases, my teaching philosophy is starting develop.

I have had the opportunity to teach tested subjects, along with a non tested subject in my 4 years of teaching experience.  Math is a very hard core, prove what you know on a MC, TF, or short answer pen and paper test.  Where the fun of numbers.  The fun of learning.  The fun of going to school is sucked out of the class just as the stress on the teacher is pushed in.
This past year I have been placed in a non-tested subject.  Where I have had the freedom to cover the curriculum without the added pressure of having to perform a certain way, for a certain group, on a certain portion of material.  I must add how liberating this feeling is, to be able to teach to teach and the students can learn to learn.  That's the way I started this year.  "hey kids, guess what, right now everyone has an 'A'.   How do you like that?  There will be no written test, no final exam, rather you learning.  I just want you to learn.  Learn how to take care of yourself.  your pass and fail will be the quality of life you endure.  A good grade will equal a very healthy life, a bad grade will be a very poor health, bed ridden life."
So, I've been encouraged to see my kids showing appreciation in others, respecting the staff, showing good character, talking out their problems instead of fighting, drinking white milk, eating more fruits and veggies at lunch, restating the harms of drugs, and truly applying what they learn.  So I believe teaching is when you can see the practical application of what was taught being lived through the students.  

Here's my beef because of the grief I have gotten from other teachers...So, a number on a report card is a number.  I will not have a kid make a 75 in my class because they didn't get their rules signed, or they didn't bring back a paper.  That shows nothing!  That does not accurately portray the class.  What was taught.  Really, did you teach the kids how to get a paper signed and bring it back?  I know I didn't?  If the class was on how to get paper signed by all means, take a grade on it.

Now, with that philosophy, I get judged... a lot.  Maybe it's a crazy way of thinking, but it makes since to me!  Maybe it's different from traditional school grades, but HELLO... school classes have changed, so should our grading systems and methods.

So, by all means, ridicule me for not giving a test, or a grade on a stupid paper coming back signed, and I will show you how my kids are making lifestyle changes that will make them healthy, productive, contributors to society.  No Test.  What an idea.  Let's learn!  What a better idea.  So, step out of the box and learn with me.