Bill Ayers’ chapter “Working in the Gap” really sums up our work this quarter quite well. We have learned about the many challenges facing our educational system, our students and ourselves as teachers, but we have also spent a lot of time (in Maxine Greene’s words) imagining how it might be otherwise. Ayers tells us that we must learn to “work the gap . . . between what is and what could be . . . searching the cracks for spaces to enact something more” (137, 138). We could get bogged down by the obstacles, but we must keep our eye on the vision to “transform, empower, enlighten, awaken and energize” our students. There are so many contradictions in the world of education today, including the serious cross-purposes discussed in Stan Karp’s article “Why We Need to Go Beyond the Classroom,” but Ayers urges us to live within those contradictions with hope as our fuel to keep forging ahead, to “press now for an education worthy of a democracy” (141).
Luckily, as Jane keeps reminding us, we don’t have to work it alone. Both Ayers and Karp stress that we need to forge alliances and work together at getting involved wherever we can, imagining solutions and fighting for their implementation. We have to be determined not to fall victim to isolation.
At first I was intimidated by the thought that teaching was not something that we could learn -- that is, something that had an end point of accomplishment. But now I am inspired and excited by Ayers’ description of teaching as dynamic and never-ending. Each year will bring new students and each day new opportunities for growth. One of the most exciting parts of the journey I am finding is how much we will learn from each other as we stay connected through collaboration in-person or online via blogs or forums. We’re going to have to depend on each other and I can’t think of a greater cohort to be a part of. So here’s to us as we finish up our first quarter -- we’re off to a strong and united start!
Luckily, as Jane keeps reminding us, we don’t have to work it alone. Both Ayers and Karp stress that we need to forge alliances and work together at getting involved wherever we can, imagining solutions and fighting for their implementation. We have to be determined not to fall victim to isolation.
At first I was intimidated by the thought that teaching was not something that we could learn -- that is, something that had an end point of accomplishment. But now I am inspired and excited by Ayers’ description of teaching as dynamic and never-ending. Each year will bring new students and each day new opportunities for growth. One of the most exciting parts of the journey I am finding is how much we will learn from each other as we stay connected through collaboration in-person or online via blogs or forums. We’re going to have to depend on each other and I can’t think of a greater cohort to be a part of. So here’s to us as we finish up our first quarter -- we’re off to a strong and united start!
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