As I sit in the school library I find myself staring at two posters. One reads in big block letters, "Doing your best means never stop trying," and the other is an American flag with books instead of stars and the words "free to read" faded into the red stripes. I'm thinking about how just a few weeks ago I posted about the pride and enthusiasm my sophomore class exemplified in invigorating most of the students to recite The Pledge of Allegiance before class each morning, but since I have been silenced. Although I received much praise and kind words from my readers and community members who heard about this accomplishment, I also was ridiculed and reprimanded for inspiring such a "controversial topic."
Since, I have sat in silence, quietly abiding by the unwritten rules and policies, but have continued to be in constant reflection. One person told me that writing a blog was putting my future on the line and I could very well end up in the land of unemployable teachers. Apparently, I should have written my blog in secrecy because my commitment to the community I reside in has put my blogging in jeopardy. People said, "what if someone finds out you are writing about the school?" I'm not doing in anything wrong and I am certainly abiding by FERPA. My goal is not to write a gossip column and I'm not uploading my words onto the school website for all to speculate about who or what I'm talking about. My goal is, and always has been, to write about small town teaching and student teaching. I believe that we write best about what we care most about; this is it for me.
A few weeks after The Pledge was resurrected a teacher approached me and asked if I knew how the morning ritual resurfaced. At this point I was still weary of more retaliation and mentioned that it was the student's idea. I tried to gauge the reaction, but the inquisitive look left me unsure of what she was thinking. As the conversation continued I found out that only one classroom wasn't participating in reciting The Pledge because they didn't believe in it. Inside my heart sunk, but I kept a blank look on my face. I came to find out that the first period teacher told the students that they are being brainwashed by the government to recite The Pledge and they wholeheartedly believe it. Outrageous. It is true that I did not require any of the students to take part in this morning ritual, but my hopes were they would come to a conclusion on their own. It's funny...I get reprimanded for encouraging students and writing about it, but a teacher can spout their political views to students and no one cares. Is this the true face of education?
So, I'm back. I can't keep quiet. I won't go on pretending that every school system is perfect and there is nothing interesting to write about. So many people want change, but they don't want to hear about what needs changed or how it will happen. Read my blog if you want to hear about the triumphs and tribulations of entering into a volatile world of education, but if you can't accept or handle what I so passionately have to say then stop reading right now.
I haven't posted for a while, but I've kept a journal of all the crazy-wonderful-completely-ridiculous and horrifyingly-spectacular experience I've had so far. I am in my final two weeks of student teaching, but I will revisit the last 6 weeks and share with you what I've learned, struggled with, and hope to take away from this crazy experience...an experience that I plan on lasting for...oh, another 30 years or so.
