January 25, 2005
something to ponder...
Recently I was on the receiving end of an email that spoke very passionately about how ADD/ADHD is a true medical condition and that it is not "nice" of me to talk about ADD/ADHD in the "joking manner" which I often do at my workshops.
Usually these emails - whether about ADD/ADHD, using food in the classroom, smocks at art time, TV watching at school or home and having computers (these are the TOP FIVE "conversation starters" as I like to call them!) - are from folks who feel very strongly about their side of the issue, much like I do for mine. While I repond to each and every email that I receive and while we do not often share the same opinion do you know why I still LOVE getting these emails????
BECAUSE IT MEANS THEY HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN! My goal is not to have everyone believe what I say at face value. My goal is to have strong, confident, compassionalte educators out there in the field. And this means you need to know where you stand on certain issues. Learning how to think for ourselves, how to use our experience and our expertise to assist us in our day to day interactions and not always running back to the textbooks is a vital part of our growth as educators (and parents too I would imagine!) At some point we must take the leap! Our classroom experiences, our books, our tests, our observations, our gut instincts all become tools for us as we build our style. One of my concerns with folks that align themselves 100% with certain educational philosophies (even if I myself agree, overall, with the philosophy) is that this often becomes a means for some of us to "hide".
What do I mean by this?
Oh I can't do that because I am ___(insert your favorite philosophy here)___.
We don't do that here because we are ______________.
_________________-ians don't believe in that.
See what I mean?
Maybe right now in this case, at this time and for this child we need to make an exception. We might need to bend. We maybe need to be flexible. This child might need that. Philosophies - much like the schedule hanging up on your wall or refrigerator - should been seen as guides. Suggestions. Most of the time the suggestions are followed, but today - or maybe tomorrow - someone might need something a little bit different. We need to make sure that we are doing what is right and best for the little ones right here and right now.
I'll talk with you soon
my best,
lisa
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