Some late night ramblings about advocating for our students. Thanks to @margaretsmn for provoking us on #DigiLitSunday. Advocacy - to speak out for those who may not be able to do so for themselves because they're afraid, they don't know how or they can't. To be the voice of our students. To speak out means to risk being labeled a troublemaker, not a team player, insubordinate just because we advocate for students. There's something wrong with that. There's something wrong when decisions are made for the benefit of adults in a school. When we take the easy way out because...well...it's the easy way out. No confrontation. No risk involved. Staying in the safe zone. Comfort level. But, our students deserve more than that. To have their backs. To be their advocate. Because if not us, then who?
This blog is a place to ruminate on the problems of teaching. If I am thinking thoughtfully, my posts will hopefully raise more questions than answers. By problematizing teaching we reflect on those questions that are constantly behind, in front, and at center of everything we do in the classroom. Feel free to comment. I'd love to hear what other teachers are thinking about on these and other issues. Cheers! Elisa