tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post7616448571104402183..comments2024-03-24T19:55:32.537-05:00Comments on The View from This Seat: The Challenge of the ClassroomLKSeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08860725174433173015noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-35210665301276320312011-08-25T19:59:04.619-05:002011-08-25T19:59:04.619-05:00Great parents, great teachers and great schools ma...Great parents, great teachers and great schools make a great team. Unfortunately, not all the components are always available. As a society, we cannot just wash our hands of failing children who happen to have less than great parents or schools. <br /><br />As I write this, neighboring Kansas City has just made it through its first weekend of curfew peace on the Plaza, an upscale shopping district hit by juvenile unrest recently. When the young people themselves were asked about it, they complained of a lack of options, even as the city is contemplating further reductions in funding for community centers and other possible draws for the young.<br /><br />Schools are frequently blamed for a failure that extends far beyond their doors. Yet, hidden in that complaint, is a hope. The hope that somehow in the arena of education we can overcome the failures of home and community. That is a tremendous burden, yet also a great opportunity.<br /><br />Considering the basis of this blog, we might look at one more institution in this context, the church. Now churches are fairly good at helping the children of members. We even reach other children who happen to come with a friend. Yet that is a small slice of most communities. What is the potential? How can we reach it?Craig Dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00033176451913108084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-75740830365817718242011-08-25T14:01:58.501-05:002011-08-25T14:01:58.501-05:00Three cheers for all teachers and learners!!Three cheers for all teachers and learners!!David M. Fulknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-1176445726752511552011-08-25T10:38:20.914-05:002011-08-25T10:38:20.914-05:00I remember all but one of my teachers by name, exc...I remember all but one of my teachers by name, except for 1st grade, although I can still picture her. I can also tell the key point I learned each year. I remember high expectations to study and learn coming from my parents, and that all of the schools (except in the Kansas City school district) had high expectation of their students. In high school the extrinsic motivation became intrinsic in a competitive boarding school setting.<br /><br />I am convinced that parents set the educational expectations and foundations which last a life-time. Good teachers, schools and school districts provide the platform. Both are needed to achieve one's potential. (NCLB completely misses the critical roll of the parents in education.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-11974742748816213562011-08-25T09:51:27.145-05:002011-08-25T09:51:27.145-05:00Good luck with this semester, Les and Leroy. I'...Good luck with this semester, Les and Leroy. I'm taking the semester off, hoping to get some writing done. I'm giving myself a sabbatical.Antonkjacobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01734526091623931154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355086750486200439.post-31288243770592091312011-08-25T08:45:23.174-05:002011-08-25T08:45:23.174-05:00Teaching truly is a wonderful experience! As you ...Teaching truly is a wonderful experience! As you mentioned, one of the challenges is getting the students "engaged in the learning process." I think a teacher's goal ought not to be just for the students to receive good grades, (though that is certainly a worthy and challenging goal) but to truly inspire the students and to engage them in ways that only a teacher can. I don't remember any textbooks or websites that inspired or challenged me, but I certainly can't forget the teachers who did so.<br /><br />Oh, and I know what you mean by being eager to get back into the classroom. I myself am already missing the classroom and my students and am looking forward to starting the next semester soon!Les Blacknoreply@blogger.com