Parker Palmer Reflection Week 2

I do not entirely agree with Palmer's opinion of the conventional classroom. Contrary to his description, students do make observations, are more active in their learning and community is important in the classroom. Of course, the text was written more than 20 years ago and the climate of today's conventional has changed. That is not to say that the type of classrooms he described no longer exist. I am positive that it does. But I think that today's conventional classroom includes more of the “truth” that Palmer wished for.

However, in response to the question, “Is there objectivism present in my classroom and in my teaching?” yes and no. When I consider math and science, I have to admit that I have a strong sense of objectivism that Palmer referred to. Palmer (1993) wrote, “The idea of objectivism is that the knower is a “blank slate receiving the unadulterated imprint of whatever facts are floating around out there” (p.35). The “blank slate” mentality is exactly what happens, especially in those content areas. I am not certain if that is so bad. Math is about facts and logic. Is there anything to be subjective about? Regarding science, while it is true that there is more lecturing in this area, but students also learn from observation. It is still the “reports on the reports of other explores” but it goes beyond the just listening to those reports. Science includes confirming, observing and thinking about the ideas of others.

I did not have any teachers like Abba Felix. I went to school during a time when teaching was all lecture and no discussion. We sat in rows, never did any group work and learning was all about the fittest. I remember in one class where we sat in rows according to our grades. Thinking about it now, I cannot imagine what the person who was in the last seat felt like. My early education was exactly like the conventional classroom that Palmer referred to. When I was in third grade, we had to memorize this poem. I have no idea why but we could not go to recess until we did. That was more than 30 years ago and I can still recite that damn poem, “Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?”But it was also a time when school lunches were delicious with big fluffy rolls with a pat of butter, no single child that I can remember with a peanut allergy, diabetes or with Celiac disease. So my mom could bake cupcakes for the class. But anyway, I digress. I am not upset about it, because I did learn a thing or two. I know that was way things were done then, it was the best practices at the time. We've come a long way since then.

Regarding things that get in the way of my passion, I could go on and on. Most of the things are out of my control and I am trying to focus less on those things (time, curricular restraints, administrative duties) and more on those in which I have some control. Which leads me to the biggest obstacle which is myself. Specifically, it is the conversations that I have with myself that get in the way. Those conversations surrounding how there is not enough time to teach or I wish we had more computer time or simply wishing I had more instead of concentrating on what I do have to work with. From those talks, I find myself less passionate about reading and writing which is what drove me into teaching. It becomes a chore as opposed to a pleasure. Hurumph!