Teachers As Readers: Reading For Pleasure
Theme 1:
|
Theme 2: Changing Leadership: Teachers Lead the Way for Schools that Learn
Once again, I find myself in an interesting position because the reading I have been doing for pleasure intersects with the reading I am doing for professional purposes. In my free-time, I have gravitated towards readings that connect my passion for professional growth and development with my goal of being published in a variety of texts. Most recently, I have been challenged to read several articles which connect to research I am collaborating on to examine job-embedded professional development through Teacher Leadership. One article, in particular has caught my attention.
What I recognized, after reading this article was that every paragraph made an immediate connection to what I do professionally and what I believe personally. The fact that my weekly theme for my coursework involves selecting texts for students that are appropriate could not be any more true when examining this article! Moreover, I am excited to share this article with my students in the fall to get them excited about what impacts Teacher Leadership will make in their own professional, as well as potentially in their personal lives. Additionally, the fact that this article is researched based will not only lead me to providing evidence to support my writing for publication, but will be the foundation for the inquiry I would like to examine with my students in the Fall! Finding dual-purpose in reading is truly exciting! I cannot wait to share this with my colleagues! Theme 5: Divergent
Summertime - time for relaxation poolside with a good book and peace and quiet. Now that I am less than three weeks away from the end of summer "vacation", I've emerged myself in some fun reading. I've been able to devour the Divergent series of books (as well as their less than equal movies). Ironically, the Divergent series focuses on the idea that, no matter how much society tries for people to fall categorically into "factions" (people following very similar lives based on their aptitude), there are many "outliers" in society known as divergent.
This cannot be any more similar to this week's theme of differentiation within the school classroom. Through our reading, observation and research we know that not all students learn the same way - there is no one prescription for learning. Those "outliers" in our classrooms are the ones who need us, as educators, the most. It is our job to make sure that we are doing what's right and necessary for all students - and not to just teach to the middle. The recurring theme of Divergent is that those who are different decide to rise-up against the status quo and fight for all people and to eliminate the factions. As teachers, we must do the same for our students by advocating for them so we are meeting their needs to be successful. Honestly, the parallels between the Divergent series and all that I have learned in my seventeen-plus years of educational experience is astonishing! As I continue to grow as a teacher leader and life-long learner, the more I recognize the value of all people and their needs AND I must be at the forefront to ensure that our educational system is fighting for those who need it the most! |
Theme 3: Why I Roared
This time, yes, I did read an article for pleasure - one which was written by the now deceased Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay when published in 1964).
Muhammad Ali is a hero of mine, not for his boxing skills (although they were extremely impressive and will never be matched by another individual), but because of what he symbolized throughout his 74-year life - hope for those who feel no hope. This article exemplifies the theme of my coursework - comprehension across content areas - because Muhammad Ali transcended sports, he was an ambassador for society. His life was not just defined as a boxer, but he was so much more to people across the world. We don't learn reading just in reading class, we gain a better understanding of content by using reading strategies to enhance our learning. Muhammad Ali was not a one class-show. He used his abilities for the greater good in all aspects of life. |