From the final paragraph: "What we need instead is to understand our own history. ... We need to reconnect with the values and ideals that made the American dream so compelling..."
As a teacher of social studies and history, I find that message both encouraging (yes, learn the history!) and daunting - the entire culture needs adjusting. It's one thing to look at society and recognize its tendencies, its flaws, and its strengths - that's sociology! It's entirely something else to try to create cultural change from one's classroom.
To make my own small impact, I'll continue to challenge students and myself, and even up the ante on that challenge - push harder, do better rather than more, etc. But it's August, and I'm really feeling like I want to pour as much of that energy into my personal life - kids, husband, home, & self - as possible. That may be where my greatest efforts to impact cultural change are best spent.
I agree with Maya's latest post concerning the pressures we face as educator's to progress our society. Despite the tracking level, most of us experience laziness and complaints. Moreover, when we do push our students and/or refuse to simply give A's for mediocre work, we are faced with hostility and frustration from students who feel they "worked SO hard." Most often, I feel they could have worked harder. The authors of our book repeat that our American society has become complacent and soft---that we have lost the instinct that made us WANT to go an extra step. As educators, I feel it is our responsiblity to enforce this; however, the task is daunting when faced with angry students and sometimes angry parents.
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Maya and Diane. Maya, I especially liked your final comment about your personal life and your impact on cultural change there. As much as our careers allow us to influence young people, the way we live our personal lives and raise our families may be our biggest impact on the societal change suggested by the authors.
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