I haven't posted in ages because I've been so incredibly busy. What with midterms, projects, and assignments galore I haven't had time to stop and think. I am hoping things are slowing down a little now tennis and tutoring are both finished. I still have one midterm, three papers, a project, and a mini-lesson left to go. Three of them are due in less than two weeks so I think I'm going to be busy this weekend in spite of the extra two days. On the plus side, I got 95% on my last physics paper so that gives me more confidence for my next one.
Course selection for next semester has just opened today. The first selection period, which lasts for about a week and a half, is based on seniority not first-come, first-serve so it remains to be seen whether I will get to keep all the courses I chose. My current schedule includes EDUC 200 (Principles of Teaching and Learning), PHYS 220 (Mechanics), MATH 250 (Linear Algebra), HKIN 120 (Rock Climbing), DRAM 372 (Theatre for Children), and PHIL 210 (Contemporary Ethical Issues). The ones I'm most likely to get bumped out of by third and fourth year students are HKIN 120 and DRAM 372. I also need to see my academic advisers to make sure that they approve my choices before anything can go through.
I did an article presentation on an article for my EDUC 203 class yesterday. The article actually made me think about the way I view education. The article was called "Teaching for the Service of Love" and it contrasted secular education's view of learning and what the author thought should be the Christian teacher's view of learning. According to the author, culture views learning as was for humans to gain power over each other and other their environment. It's about getting the best job and moving up the corporate or social or whatever other ladder you happen to be climbing. The author says that the Christian's main goal in life is to serve God and others in love and fulfill our God-given mandate as stewards of the earth. The point, then, of learning is to build a knowledge base so we can better fulfill this calling. Learning also allows us to better appreciate the gifts God has given us and by appreciating them we show God that we are thankful for them. Learning should result in responsible action. If these are the reasons we learn than it should result in our serving God and others in love and being good stewards of the earth. This made me ask a couple questions. First, why am I going to school? Is it just because I want a specific job? Is it because I don't want to flip burgers all my life? Is it because that is what is expected of me? Second, if I'm not learning so I can better serve God, etc., how can I possibly teach my students this? Third, what would it look like to change my view of education and is this possible?
Imagine if I looked at every class, every paper, every presentation as a tool God is using to better equip me to serve him and others. How is God using this presentation to make me a better future teacher so I can better serve my students? Presentations are not just exercises to get over and done with; I can learn from them my own teaching strengths and weaknesses, how to keep students engaged when they really don't want to be there, what makes a good conclusion (I think this is something both my education profs have been emphasizing all semester that I just didn't get). Research papers and text book reading are opportunities to broaden my knowledge base. When classes are boring I can ask myself, how is God using this class to equip me to serve him better now or in the future? Papers and presentation are not really about the grades (although grades are an indicator of improvement and of what I still need to learn). If I can actually change the way I view school, I think it will make a big difference in the next few years of my life and in how I teach my future students. Who'd would have thought one article presentation could make any difference?
Natasha is sleeping over tonight! I am looking forward to the opportunity to relax, stay up late, and spend time with my best friend.
Reading break is almost here! Grant and Matt are coming back to Abbotsford. No school for four whole days.
38 days til my last exam. 28 days until my last day of school including weekends/breaks (not including exams). 17 days of school (not including exams). Almost there.
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