To Teach the Journey, in Comics
By: William Ayers
This book was a required reading in
my 205 Education course, which I really enjoyed.
o What are your reactions to Ayer's beliefs and convictions about teaching?
I can truly say this reading was beneficial. I like the fact that Ayers gives his belief and convictions in obvious ways that is understandable to everyone. I really liked everything he had to say. I even put a post-it with a heart on top of a comic box (page 97). Ayers stated something very genuine, “Greatness in teaching, engages students, interacts with them, draws energy and direction from them, and offers reasons to plunge into classroom life.” I truly loved what he was saying with this quote because it reminded me of a teacher I had for my first year of high school, as a freshman. The teacher I had certainly appeared to hate teaching and didn’t interact with any of the students. The teacher just taught us, I truly hated science because of her class. It had no excitement to it and I felt died between those few hours in her classroom, feeling do uncomfortable. From that science class I learned how not to be when I become a teacher. Soon enough I stopped liking everything that had to do with science.
Another reaction I had to his teachings is the fact he cared about his students and learned from his own experiences in the classroom. Ayers also gives a great view in handling a classroom with diversity in students, especially in chapter three, ‘Creating an Environment for Learning’ and chapter four, ‘Building Bridges’. In these two chapters we see how student are to feel comfortable with others around them and how it’s helpful for students to work together. In various ways we can show students to work together by taking care of a pet, which shows them to truly have responsibility and to be caring. (Chapter 3)
o Make a list of your core beliefs about learning (at least five) that will inform the creation of your future classroom environment.
1. Building on the strengths of the student’s interest, Students are valued.
In chapter two, Ayers expresses how the “details of one child can strengthen our understanding of every child”. To have a successful student in the future we are to take part of their lives and use their interest to hook an interest into the classroom and comprehend the classroom vibe as a teacher. It’s an opportunity and privilege to be able to encourage big dreamers at an early age.
2. Respect
In chapter seven, we see the teacher having a difficult time to get the lesson comprehended by the student. I learned teachers have to figure out and know different ways to get a problem solved but also letting the students know its okay for each different student to have their own pace of learning. With respect, there can be a sense of serious consequences in making fun of other students. For instance if someone learns respect in the class and it’s implied students will try not to get in trouble with the teacher at all.
3. Creating Community
In chapter three we read about how it’s important for students to have a comfortable space in school to feel like school is another home. Having another home and place to mature students will have people to count on in class. An environment where each student is able to learn from each other is, “where the flow between family, community, culture, and classroom is seamless”. Where it could be okay to cry in class and where everyone will be okay with being who he or she is in a school environment. (Chapter 2, page 101)
4. Build an open relationship with parents
I would like to be a helpful teacher, to do everything in my power for my students to learn everything and move to success. I can conquer more as a teacher in a student’s lives by informing parents about their difficulties and offering extra help.
5. Build Spaces in a classroom to flourish
Spaces are necessary for students to learn from each other and the teacher as well. Everyone will be able to express themselves. Spaces in the classroom will build wisdom, answer any curiosity, wonder and astonishment of the student. (page 44 - 45)
o What are three elements that have to be in your classroom for it to be a place you don’t want to leave?
Continuing with the thought of building spaces in classrooms it’s would be valuable and very helpful to have rug, library, a computer and a space where students can create and write. A rug is useful to communicate with everyone; a place where it can be comfy and the students will be visible to the teacher. A library will also be helpful; to encourage the students to read, learn, and share with other classmates and a place where love for reading can be expand as well. A computer would also be useful to search for an interest they have and grow more knowledge. Having a space to work around is essential when working on their work on their own to create something new and unique. By having a space like that students can develop their interest in becoming what they want, bein simply intellectual.
o Have your views of teaching and learning been affected by Ayer's beliefs? If so, how?
My views on teaching and learning have been affected by Ayer’s beliefs in great ways. Before I didn’t know the importance of engaging students in class at all, now I know its very important for student’s to actually learn and want to learn. I also know now there are a lot of questions in student’s minds. I learned that as a class it’s okay to discover and explore questions that are unknown. I also thought the teachers had to have all the answers but I learned in chapter four that some answers can be discovered and answered together as a class. The teacher should not always just give all the answers to the students but help them grow their knowledge to actually think and analyze the situation.
o Would you recommend his book to others that want to pursue a career in teaching?
I would absolutely recommend this book to others that want to pursue a career in teaching. I actually recommend this book to be read when someone has an interest in becoming a teacher because this book takes you inside a classroom and shows you the life of a teacher, and how to be an effective one without working off the grade curriculum.
I can truly say this reading was beneficial. I like the fact that Ayers gives his belief and convictions in obvious ways that is understandable to everyone. I really liked everything he had to say. I even put a post-it with a heart on top of a comic box (page 97). Ayers stated something very genuine, “Greatness in teaching, engages students, interacts with them, draws energy and direction from them, and offers reasons to plunge into classroom life.” I truly loved what he was saying with this quote because it reminded me of a teacher I had for my first year of high school, as a freshman. The teacher I had certainly appeared to hate teaching and didn’t interact with any of the students. The teacher just taught us, I truly hated science because of her class. It had no excitement to it and I felt died between those few hours in her classroom, feeling do uncomfortable. From that science class I learned how not to be when I become a teacher. Soon enough I stopped liking everything that had to do with science.
Another reaction I had to his teachings is the fact he cared about his students and learned from his own experiences in the classroom. Ayers also gives a great view in handling a classroom with diversity in students, especially in chapter three, ‘Creating an Environment for Learning’ and chapter four, ‘Building Bridges’. In these two chapters we see how student are to feel comfortable with others around them and how it’s helpful for students to work together. In various ways we can show students to work together by taking care of a pet, which shows them to truly have responsibility and to be caring. (Chapter 3)
o Make a list of your core beliefs about learning (at least five) that will inform the creation of your future classroom environment.
1. Building on the strengths of the student’s interest, Students are valued.
In chapter two, Ayers expresses how the “details of one child can strengthen our understanding of every child”. To have a successful student in the future we are to take part of their lives and use their interest to hook an interest into the classroom and comprehend the classroom vibe as a teacher. It’s an opportunity and privilege to be able to encourage big dreamers at an early age.
2. Respect
In chapter seven, we see the teacher having a difficult time to get the lesson comprehended by the student. I learned teachers have to figure out and know different ways to get a problem solved but also letting the students know its okay for each different student to have their own pace of learning. With respect, there can be a sense of serious consequences in making fun of other students. For instance if someone learns respect in the class and it’s implied students will try not to get in trouble with the teacher at all.
3. Creating Community
In chapter three we read about how it’s important for students to have a comfortable space in school to feel like school is another home. Having another home and place to mature students will have people to count on in class. An environment where each student is able to learn from each other is, “where the flow between family, community, culture, and classroom is seamless”. Where it could be okay to cry in class and where everyone will be okay with being who he or she is in a school environment. (Chapter 2, page 101)
4. Build an open relationship with parents
I would like to be a helpful teacher, to do everything in my power for my students to learn everything and move to success. I can conquer more as a teacher in a student’s lives by informing parents about their difficulties and offering extra help.
5. Build Spaces in a classroom to flourish
Spaces are necessary for students to learn from each other and the teacher as well. Everyone will be able to express themselves. Spaces in the classroom will build wisdom, answer any curiosity, wonder and astonishment of the student. (page 44 - 45)
o What are three elements that have to be in your classroom for it to be a place you don’t want to leave?
Continuing with the thought of building spaces in classrooms it’s would be valuable and very helpful to have rug, library, a computer and a space where students can create and write. A rug is useful to communicate with everyone; a place where it can be comfy and the students will be visible to the teacher. A library will also be helpful; to encourage the students to read, learn, and share with other classmates and a place where love for reading can be expand as well. A computer would also be useful to search for an interest they have and grow more knowledge. Having a space to work around is essential when working on their work on their own to create something new and unique. By having a space like that students can develop their interest in becoming what they want, bein simply intellectual.
o Have your views of teaching and learning been affected by Ayer's beliefs? If so, how?
My views on teaching and learning have been affected by Ayer’s beliefs in great ways. Before I didn’t know the importance of engaging students in class at all, now I know its very important for student’s to actually learn and want to learn. I also know now there are a lot of questions in student’s minds. I learned that as a class it’s okay to discover and explore questions that are unknown. I also thought the teachers had to have all the answers but I learned in chapter four that some answers can be discovered and answered together as a class. The teacher should not always just give all the answers to the students but help them grow their knowledge to actually think and analyze the situation.
o Would you recommend his book to others that want to pursue a career in teaching?
I would absolutely recommend this book to others that want to pursue a career in teaching. I actually recommend this book to be read when someone has an interest in becoming a teacher because this book takes you inside a classroom and shows you the life of a teacher, and how to be an effective one without working off the grade curriculum.