Once again, I find myself digging around Freire’s book, Teachers as cultural workers: letters to those who dare to teach (2005) searching for inspiration and a reminder of the significance of our work as teachers. Today it is this gem that stands out, “Only rarely does a text lend itself to the reader’s curiosity” (p.54)….
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Environments speak (and not so softly)
Our educational environments speak powerfully about our expectations of students and our beliefs about what learning can look like in schools. Only last week, I found myself reconsidering the ‘space’ I work in. Three days a week I work as a Year 4 teacher at my local public school. My space just fits me and…
Be kind
Introducing Vivian Gussin Paley Conversation with Young Children: Fantasy, Friendship, Fairness & Other Urgent Topics on Every Child’s Mind Recorded November 14 2008 Click here to watch video on YouTube. Two wonderful titles from Vivian Gussin Paley: A child’s work: the importance of fantasy play The kindness of children
Struggle – a decided advantage
I was encouraged today as I read from one of the many unfinished books lying on my desk: “Far from being a disadvantage, struggle is a decided advantage, because it develops those qualities which would lie dormant forever without it” (Napoleon Hill, 1928, p.103). That’s a relief. I struggle with so many things. I struggle to…
Sticking together
“The project of democracy must never be transformed into or understood as a singular and individual struggle… teachers should always stick together as they challenge the system so that their struggle is effective” (Freire, 2005, p.12). I am reading Freire’s (2005) work, Teachers as Cultural Workers: Letters to those who dare teach. Already I am challenged,…
