I was in fifth grade on a summer vacation on the east coast with my family when I found my passion for history. Our class had completed a unit on the American Revolutionary War and we had learned all about the famous legends such as Paul Revere’s midnight night to Lexington, Sons of Liberty and the Boston Tea Party, and George Washington’s wooden teeth (which is a urban myth!). These fascinating tales captured my attention and became real when I got visit these sites in person. The events of my history textbook were coming alive. The moment I will never forget is standing in front of Old State House in downtown Boston and blurting out to my parents that this was the site of the Boston Massacre. To get a better look I crossed the street to compare Paul Revere's famous depiction. My 11 year old brain could not believe what I was seeing. This feeling was something very special, I wanted to know more, and share with everyone I knew my excitement for history.
(My 8th Grade US History II class: 1920s Prohibition Simulation)
In high school I was fortunate to have excellent history teachers. They challenged me academically and pushed me out of my comfort zone. They prepared me for college with a variety of summative assessments such as debates, research papers, DBQs, video projects, and more. Nevertheless, those assignments did not come without their challenges and late nights spent working tirelessly in order to get them done. I enjoyed interacting with my classmates to solve problems and showcasing my work. I felt as if I was part of a community. What brings me to teaching is the difference I make everyday to my 110 students. Students that represent very diverse background and deal with many real life issues that I could never dream of experiencing at their age. When I am with them for those 100 minutes of class time, I want to instill those great values I learned from my history teachers, such as determination, teamwork, and resourcefulness. I want to push my students to demonstrate ingenuity and thinking critically about the world around them.
Thank you for sharing. I also was around 5th grade when I found my love for history, although it was European not US. The feeling that you want to share your excitement with others, and bring them excitement as well is a feeling I know very well. I also had great high school history teachers, and my Ap Euro teachers pushed me into teaching.
ReplyDeleteI love your words “I felt as if I was part of a community”. Interest is the best teacher in learning. Becuase of that, you are able to experience, to explore and to share more than others in that field. I agree with you that, as teachers, we should give a hand to students who has different backgrounds from others. I think you must be a warm-hearted person, because you want to help the students, try to understand them rather than neglect those important things.
ReplyDeleteI really like when you say, "I hope to create a classroom community that promotes trust, acceptance, and empathy towards others." This type of classroom environment not only facilitates learning (which is very important), but these values can also carry on throughout your students' lives. The fact that you can have an impact on a student both in the classroom and outside of the classroom is something that would make this career very rewarding, something that I think most passionate teachers could speak to.
ReplyDeleteI also think that your experience actually visiting historical sites speaks to how learning isn't just reading off a PowerPoint or memorizing dates for a test. Learning is interactive. Learning can be fun! And its when students students are enjoying what they are doing in or out of class relating to the subject area when learning truly occurs. I think this is something that is important to keep in mind as we look to pursue or continue or paths to teaching.
Patrick,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your post. How wonderful that you were able to see the difference between your educational experience growing up and that of many of our students today. Most importantly, you are willing to go the extra mile to help and create a safe classroom environment for all students.
Interesting post! I liked when you said that you "had a homefield advantage" when you came back to Chicago. I think that is a really good way to look at teaching in this city for those of us who are from here. People who grew up in Chicago have unique insight into the experiences of students here and also, as a fellow aspiring history teacher, we have a unique perspective and knowledge about the history of Chicago. Furthermore, not only do you have overseas experience, giving you a global perspective on teaching, but you want to advocate for the students who need it, which I think will make you a great teacher.
ReplyDeletePatrick, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the emphasis on being part of the community. I can draw a similar connection, one of my main goals as an educator is to give back to my community. Also, it's awesome how your personal experience contributed to your passion of history, really cool that you got to visit those sites!
I found it especially unique how you related back what you were learning in the classroom to your visit to NYC at such a young age. Most students don’t find those connections, or at least they don’t find it as fascinating as you did. I share the same enthusiasm when I visit historical land marks I learned about in previous classes. Also, your focus on community and unison, in my opinion, will make you be a great teacher.
ReplyDeleteThanks for Sharing Patrick! One thing I have long appreciated is travel and experiencing other places. I think it is quite cool that you were able to go to Ireland and Taiwan and teach there. I also love the wonder you portrayed in the the first paragraph with your interaction with History. True wonder is something quite special. I believe that History, is a vehicle to bring kids to that kind of wonder.
ReplyDeleteThere's something powerful to be said about the recognition of one's privilege and the commitment to be part of the change to ensure that others have a place at the table. I too used to think of myself as being the voice of those who felt like they didn't have a voice. With that said, I think History presents you a unique opportunity to highlight the voices that have been marginalized or left out, thereby showing your students that we all have voice and your classroom is really a platform or stage where they can learn to use their voices and reveal their powerful ways of knowing. Thank you for sharing the road that brings you to the classroom...I'm happy you are part of the ride!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! For me too, I love history because of the way it comes alive when it is taught well. If you really know and learn about the past, it is so fascinating. Reading or learning of a good history is like watching a movie, sometimes it shocks us! I can tell you are passionate about teaching and especially about Chicago. Chicago, and CPS, is flawed, but the students within the Chicago limits are our future and deserve our best!
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