As some of you know I want to become a teacher after I graduate from school. I made this realization my sophomore year when I was tutoring an astronomy class. Standing in the study room in the library I was explaining to Miranda Hitchcock all of the material that was going to be on the test. I was writing on the board and going through everything she would need to know and she was having difficulty remembering all of the material. It was at that moment that I stopped thought and imagined myself as her sitting there. What tools and previous knowledge did she have that I could use to my advantage to have her learn something new. It was at that point that it clicked and going with a new approach I re-explained the material and she got it. The best part was I didn't have to hear her say that she got it I could tell simply by the way her face lit up. It was there that I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to teach. I wanted to see faces doing just that, lighting up with understanding, for my career. That was my calling.
Now as I near the end of my undergraduate studies and start looking towards grad school and a hopeful teachers assistantship I am starting to collect articles, book excerpts, potential lesson plans, and movies to use in my classes.
The other day I purchased
Network, a great movie about the fall of the modern news media. Other movies that I have that I think will come in handy are
Saving Private Ryan
Thankyou For Smoking
Movies that I am looking for are
V for Vendetta
Osama
Lord of War
Schindlers List
Lions for Lambs
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Charlie Wilson's War
Taxi to the Dark Side
An Inconvienet Truth
I like these films because they inspire people to think. To take waht is given to them and actually think. I feel that the art of thought is something that humans often are lacking in. I'm not saying people are stupid because for the most part people can be pretty intelligent but thought requires so much time and energy that I think people just give up and want to have things handed to them. I think that is why religion is so popular. Its not about God or a spirtual relationship. For crying out loud God is everywhere why in the name of Mary would you have to go to a special building on a special day to talk to God? The answer is that religion hands you what you need to think. "Don't worry!" It says, "Here you go. Life, death, ethics, eternity. Its all right here and all you need to do is not think about it." I'm not saying religion is evil or that humans are ignorant I'm just saying that laziness is so easy. Thats one of the staples I want to make in my classes: The Art of Thought.
Do you guys have any ideas about movies, books, or articles that I could start looking at?
Comments (13)
You should see Band Of Brothers.
Now religion it is a matter of choice of the individual. I never believed in organized religion. God sees a reason beyond our knowledge, as God sees the bigger picture than anyone of us or all of us. Imagine the universe, not just the milkyway, the whole of it. Then you can get a picture of our sun then you can imagine good old earth, micro, microscopic isn't it. And God still care for us, who are the size of bacterias in his view. Isn't that good enough to believe the awesome blessing he had given us. It is hard for many people even to think what I said. But don't go smaller go bigger in your view point you will know where we are and who we are and how we are all have a reason which no science, philosophy, or ways of life we know explained to us. We are just prisoners locked up in five senses. But God truly gave us a soul, ablitiy to reason, and the most powerful tool, imagination to think, learn and understand. I clearly will say, we humans are ignorant and more than that, stupid. Hope you understand me.
The Signature Of A True Human Is The Smile He/She Brings On The Face Of Others.
LonelyPoet
I saw only Schindlers List and An Inconvienet Truth..and sounds others were very socialize movie..I hardly wanted watch Lions for Lambs..may be try soon...teacher is wonderful job..and your deep thought help to study for student...I don't want enter any sect of christ religion but I believe God and christ religion have special fasinate spirit for life..so I'll continu about serching christ and why people sink into Jesus world...
Good luck to you, society needs thoughtful teachers. I would suggest maybe Patch Adams.
I just read this post and the funny thing is that I brought up the movie Network last night. While I was doing busy work for art history I randombly said "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" and she didn't get the reference so we watched a clip of it.
I think you would be an amazing teacher.
Well, I read the book Mr. Palomar once and it was... different from any other book I've read. Interesting.
And I would second Patch Adams.
I teach a year long coarse on the Holocaust and I would say Swing Kids, Escape from Sobibor and The Grey Zone instead of Schindler's List..the reason being first of all there is a sex scene..and believe me I am not a prude..but the scene has NOTHING to do with the movie...it is a good movie, but if you are to just pick one..there are other ones out there...I would also say Hotel Rwanda and Men of Honor are good ones..I agree Dead Poets is awesome...
I finished school for the summer....and am in the process of finding a job.....it's becoming more impossible the older I get......I'm hoping that I'll land one that pays decently....but I'm at the point where I'll accept any crumbs they toss my way. Still working on my writing.....also working on a collection of poetry and a novel- (how coincidental of us, hehe).
Glad to hear you're plugging away- can't wait until it is finished! What are your plans for the summer?
you can find most of those movies at walmart. i don't know for how much longer because our movies reset on the 19th of may. so some may not be there after then. depends.
i find it amazing when people tell me they knew exactly when they found out what they should be. i have never had a realization like that.
Dead Poets Society is a must the whole idea of the movie is being a free thinker... I also love FInding Forester very good stuff... V for Vendetta rocked... Saving Private Ryan is one of my all time favorites... Schindlers List is so sad but I believe its just about as historically correct as a movie will allow... It sounds like you are forging what will make a very successful teaching career congrats friend I too am planning on being a teacher some day...
It's wonderful when you gain that insight into a "calling." I had the experience myself. I spent 4-years doing pre-law. Graduated. But then during the very week of graduation, I spent a few nights in the hospital and had an epiphany. Didn't want to do law. Wanted to be a doctor. To work in a hospital alleviating the suffering of others. It was quite liberating and scary at the same time since I had just spent 4 years preparing for something entirely different.
Well Wes Bishop I feel quite honored not only to have been present, but to have been the lit-up face that made you realize you wanted to become a teacher : ) your story brought back some really nice memories.
I'll tell Jax what you said....next time I see her. It's been so long since I've seen her, but I think she might be comming to my shower.
I'm sorry to hear about you and your girlfriend, but it's good you're still friends.
My parents said they saw you the other day at work, they said you have blonde hair!!! So Cambridge's most eligable bachelor has blonde hair, huh? I think you would look pretty cool as a blonde : )
So you and John are going to crash my wedding : ) What does John think about that?
I'm so excited and proud of you, you're going to make such a great teacher! Dr, Hirshi would be so proud too....[*shoulders sink* MMMM....COOOOOL!!!!!] I miss astronomy and your last minute tutoring before the test. We had some good times in that class : )
Well I hope this post finds you well...take care and don't be a stranger!!!!!
*~*Miranda*~*
Hello friend. Dropping in to see if you're still "disappeared". How's that book coming along? Mine's come to a screeching halt. Writer's block always seems to strike at the most inconvenient times. Hope all is well with you.