Purpose of Education

• What do you think is the fundamental purpose in/of education?

It is my belief that education has strayed from what it was originally meant to be.  I feel that the purpose of education is to arm the future generations with skills that will make them functioning members of society.  As a teacher, it is my job to teach students things that can help them in the world and to introduce different avenues to them in which they may one day succeed. 

At one point when I answered this question as such, I was asked something to the effect of “Well how would you feel if one of your students used the information you taught them inappropriately?  Maybe to break the law?”  Yes, this is certainly a possibility.  In my classroom I enforce the standardized rules of our school.  In a way, this is instilling an idea of morals that world deems acceptable (to a point).  I also teach them the standards that are required and considered necessary by the state.  How they end up using these skills is totally up to them.  I can’t control their every move and every decision.  I present information that can be beneficial to them in their future endeavors; it is up to them to use it as they see fit. 

In my opinion, what we need to know is all to often dictated to us until we reach a college level; then we choose our “field of study.”  Why not give our students the same option?  Couldn’t it be possible that our students would thrive in an auto mechanics course in which they were reading books about diesel engines, doing math concerning the engineering of mechanics, using chemistry when working on said engines?  It is because of these ideas that I support the idea of vocational schools. 

Even in the schools we are or will work at, some students are often labeled as trouble because of their behavior in class.  What if the problem is that the information being presented to them has no relevance concerning what they want to do?  If they enjoyed what they were learning and were legitimately interested in it, I honestly believe that the percentage of behavior problems in classrooms would drop significantly.

Introduction

First, I would like to say that starting this blog has made me realize I am much less technologically inclined than I thought I was.  Somewhat disheartening, but, something I clearly need to/ can work on.  Having said that, for those of you who haven't met me, I am currently a first year teacher.  I teacher biology (my passion) and chemistry (...a lesser passion?).  I had always wanted to be a teacher, but wanted to have experience in my field to back up my knowledge, ammunition if you will for the dreaded statement of "Why do I need to know this anyway?  *Slams book closed with a heavy sigh*  It's not like I'm ever going to use it."  

So, I got my degree in Biology and set out to get my experience.  I had the amazing privilege to work with the Forest Service in Carson City, NV, originally doing fisheries work...  Which turned into bird work.  Though when I started, I was absolutely terrified of birds (great combination), that fear slowly went away when I began to realize just how fascinating and beautiful they are.  When that internship came to an end, I moved back to NM and worked a series of odd jobs (lab tech at a milk plant, random manual labor short jobs, shift leader at a kennel). 

I finally landed a job in which I would be using my degree and gaining more experience in my field, when things didn't exactly pan out.  I decided God was sending me a pretty clear message to "stop procrastinating and take the leap."  I applied at the school I am currently employed at and was hired as I was walking out of the Admin Office doors (fate? Perhaps...).  I began my teaching position in October with a group of students who had already had ~6 different substitutes.  No classroom control had been established and I knew I had my work cut out for me when I had multiple students pull out needle-less syringes and proceed to have a mini "water gun fight" while the man who was currently the sub was taking attendance.  Things fell into place and I got the ball rolling best I could; hit many obstacles, but learned to think quickly on my toes.  

I love my job and wouldn't choose any differently.  I am constantly trying to figure out how to better differentiate, how to better plan, and how to be a better teacher overall, but I think that's what it's all about.  You're never the absolute perfect teacher because your kids are never the same.  Therefore, you are constantly adjusting your strategies and nerdy examples to better fit the class you are working with.