I do enjoy the beginning of the semester when everything is fresh and exciting. It is so wonderful to have the opportunity to begin again every semester, grading period, school year. We are blessed in education to have ebb and flow in what we do. (okay, so the full impact of the semester hasn't really hit me yet)
Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend my first presentation of a candidate for the adolescent literacy position. She discussed her study on signifyin(g) in which a white teacher engaged her predominately African-American class by interacting with them as a way to gain trust and build relationships... This presentation really spoke to me as I am a firm believer in the relationship between teacher and student being an essential part of the learning process. In fact, I believe that the most important element in successful human relations anywhere is the making of connections. Huge implications for educators.
I am still thinking about my line of inquiry...reading for deeper meaning in the home. There are so many ways I could take this; my goal this semester is to narrow it down and come up with a concise statement.
New semester, new beginnings.
