Blog: Wednesday, January 13, 2010Welcome to my world,,,,
I am not sure if I have time to blog in this world at this point in time, but I want to learn this Fusion program, so here goes. First, I am going to attach my "personal statement": it is a sort of one page history of my educational philosophy and it details how I have found myself here at SMS in Room 2, teaching 7th grade language arts.
“It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another,” Emily Webb concludes in the final scene of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. The earth is “too wonderful” and human beings don’t “realize life” enough. The Stage Manager says that some do, the saints and the poets. I don’t pretend to be either, but I try to pay attention to clocks ticking, dogs scratching, the sun rising and the moon falling.
Having just completed my student teaching in Western Washington, I first walked into Clark Fork High School in March of 1978. The Central Office had advised me to go out and meet the principals of all the schools so that I might get a foot in the door as a substitute. Principal Lowell Carlson invited me into his office and announced: “I need an English teacher.” His English teacher had just resigned and options were bleak at finding someone so late in the year. We talked for two hours and he sent me back to Sandpoint with an intent to hire letter. Years down the line, he told me the district administration had been hesitant because I was so green and the situation was not an easy one; as it turned out, my experience in Clark Fork was fortuitous. I became a member of the community and was able to grow and contribute to the strength of the school for nine years.
Fast forward to the year 2008. Emily was right. When I left Clark Fork, I wanted the experience of working in a larger school. I wanted to work with others in my field, to gain insight from peers. I taught in an open classroom setting with a 2-hour language arts block at Sandpoint Middle School, and then plunged into the overseas environment, working in small and large schools in Guatemala City, Istanbul, and Damascus. Ancient culture fascinates me, art and architecture, but more important than place for me are people. After six years on the move, I found myself making a quilt and growing a garden. I wanted to feel more connected; everyone leaves after two years overseas. I wanted to again be part of a stable community. I came home and found the door open at Sandpoint High School. I worked as a senior and 9th grade English teacher, advised the Cedar Post, and became involved with the Panida Theater, serving for several years as president.
I believe in challenging myself. It is a given: there is always more to learn. School reform is essential, and I want to help craft the model. The middle school is a pivotal arena for change, assessment, and growth, and Sandpoint Middle School has wonderful opportunities at this moment. I have a Master’s degree in administration and am now serving as the district’s secondary literacy coach in addition to teaching 7th grade language arts. I also served 2 years as SMS assistant principal prior to the financial cutbacks. More curious than ambitious, more cooperative than competitive, I have the energy and the mind to “realize life” and help students and staff to do likewise, to look and really see themselves and one another. Perhaps life is a sacred poem, and we just need to become better readers.
| Posted by Deborah McShane at 12:05 PM |
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