What I Teach . . .
When I was in college, I was told by numerous professors, including one of my academic advisors, that I should NOT teach high school. I was confused and a bit offended at first, but then I understood their rational: in some way all of them felt that I would get “bored.”
I was told to pursue a graduate degree (or Doc) in Education, English, Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, or Theology. I was pushed towards doing this. Hell, I was offered a job teaching at my college right after graduation as an adjunct professor. But into public education I went. I haven’t looked back yet.
No regrests.
But looking at my professional life I can more fully appreciate what they were thinking: I can’t stay still mentally. If I am not interested in what I am doing, the kids will be bored, so I push them, and myself a little more every year.
How many new courses have I created from scratch, or drastically changed over the 5 years I’ve been doing this:
- Creative Writing (English)
- Humour, Comedy and Satire (Drama)
- Philosophy (Philosophy/Theology)
- Culture and Identity (Sociology)
- Good and Evil (Intro to Ethics)
It’s become a joke: people ask me what I teach, and saying “English” or “Language Arts” just doesn’t seem to make sense.
Now I’m starting my Masters: an MFA in Creative Writing/Poetry. At the same time I’m looking towards a Masters in Philosophy, or some time in seminary. And something about Sociology and Cultural Studies is calling to me. . . .
So what do I teach?
I teach my kids my passions, and how they can tap into their own.
And they said I would get ‘bored.’
LOL