In 6th grade I had an awesome reading teacher, Mr. Smith. At the time I never gave it much thought to a statement that he made to the class one day, but now, I really get it. Completely. He said, "Ya know, I taught Math for 12 years before this. I always felt so strongly that Math was the most important subject-that no one could be successful without it. Then I had a chance to work with a group of 6th grade students who were lower level and they could not even read the numbers and expressions, or even the directions in the text book. I had to take the first semester of that year and teach my students how to read. It was the most rewarding experience of my career and that next year I became a reading teacher because I realized that no child should ever be without the ability to read and write."
I mean, pump the brakes! Can you believe that? I can still see him standing in front of our class and telling us that. That is just inspiring- like unbelievably amazing. What frustrates me is that I just sloughed if off like the little punk I was. Ugh. Okay, I wasn't a punk in middle school, but I mean- I don't think any of my peers or I grasped the magnitude of what he had told us.
The importance of reading spans every content. It is so important that as educators that we teach our students to read and comprehend what they have read. To write, and do so with deeper thinking. Maybe it is the life experience, maybe it is the education I have received; I would like to think that it is a combination of both but I know,without a doubt that I will be reading teacher, in which ever content I end up teaching. OR whichever teaching position that I get hired into, to get my foot in the door ;-)
Teachers like that inspire me. I want to be like that as well. You will be an amazing teacher. They say hindsight is 20/20 because with time and maturity we see clearer. I love that this is a reflection and point of reference that tethers you to teaching reading in the content area.
ReplyDeleteI am with you Katie. I am so glad you have that as a reference point to remind you as you walk this journey of reading and teaching and teaching reading. As a reader I often forget that others are not "readers." Often when people come to me and discuss a problem or a situation they are currently in, my brain automatically starts to reference something I have read. I will often say, "Have you read...? It really helped me with..." The non-readers look at me and say, "I hate to read." Then what? My reference point and connection has been interrupted. I am getting better at not making "reading" the point, but I do realize how valuable it is. Keep reading, and keep teaching!
ReplyDeleteI love the "Pump the brakes!" Very vivid imagery!
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