Scot McKnight has an interesting series of posts going on education this past week, all of which I would like to interact with here. Maybe one at a time. Perhaps this will be beneficial to any aspiring teachers who read this blog. I’ll start with today’s – his letter to a new professor. I don’t have the experience that he has, but I agree with most of his 20 points.
It would be shorter to note points of disagreement, so I’ll do that.
Well, this is hard. The first ten are great! But on #11, I disagree. I don’t think teachers are ready to write a book after only 3-4 years. And the world certainly doesn’t need whatever book they produce. There are exceptions to this rule. These first years are also important for developing in the classroom, and I think that a writing project could easily divert one’s attention for building teaching skills, lectures, and yes, even PowerPoint presentations.
On #13 second sentence, I could lose some friends for life, so I probably should demur quietly. I just think there are so many problems with professional sports and so many other ways of redeeming the time (and relaxing), that I simply cannot agree.
#14 sounds kind of strange to me. It’s like he’s talking to an outsider to the church, not a fully engaged member. I think teachers should have a regular role of ministry in their church, and not be waiting around for invitations.
#18 – at least one!
Ok, so my comments aren’t so helpful on this one, but if it gets the aspiring teacher to read his, this post is worth it. I’ll have more to disagree with on others, especially his PowerPoint and computer posts. Ugh!
Thanks Todd. I wasn’t sure if you knew this, but I’m a PE teacher at Liberty Christian School in Huntington Beach this year. I interviewed to be the history teacher, but was offered PE instead. I accepted. Monday is our first day of work for a week before school starts in September. I’m nervous and feeling vastly underprepared, mostly because I didn’t enter college (or my senior year of college) to be a teacher. I still hope to teach history in the future. Thanks for the impact you had on my education and my life. I just began reading Kingdom of Priests to go along with my Bible reading through the Old Testament. Looking forward to more!
Interesting thoughts. For me, the two day old new teacher, this cuauses me to think…which is good. Hey, just wanted you to know that I’ve already used my SMM and the maps and timeline that go along with it. Not bad for the first two days, huh? Truthfully, I never thought I would use my SMM except for personal use during Bible study. But, I’m very greatful for them as resources and that I had the wonderful opportunity to learn in “The Land Between!” Thank you also for being a great example of a prepared, diligent teacher who cared. I pray that God will grace me to be the same, for His glory!