Voice

I think that the hardest thing is for someone to be able to not only articulate their voice, but be confident in what they say. We live in a society where paradoxically Americans advocate free speech, but individuals are continually demanding that we silence the opinion and independent thought of our young adults. They are taught to fear their voice, and we as scholars in academics are shaped to believe that an independent voice in writing is wrong.

Academically, I have been trying to find balance with my own voice and what is traditionally acceptable in scholarly writing. I want to be honest and real about the things that I like to write about such as race, gender, and sexism. But sometimes that becomes difficult, especially when I have to sensor how I would say certain things.

It is obviously a problem that many writers have had to overcome, and I am still trying to strike a balance between the expectations that are inherent in scholarly work. I think that first we must continue to critique and reinvent the English cannon. Opening spaces and allowing people to express their thoughts freely without judgment rules and social norms. I think it is when people are trying to be careful and silence their voice that as participants in society we begin to cultivate this intolerance for others’ ideas, beliefs and opinions.

The perfect teacher

Blog prompt: What makes a perfect teacher?

I honestly believe that realistically there is no such thing as the “perfect” teacher. Only what we as students perceive that teacher to be. Some may say that the perfect teacher always had a game to play or a teacher is someone who really cares about their students. I think that it depends on the learning environment, the students, and the teaching philosophy. Because the teacher may have great charisma as a speaker, may have been a horrible teacher. Or the teacher who was really harsh in their teaching style but expected a lot from their students may actually be the best the teacher.

I personally believe that a perfect teacher should always have balance. That teacher should have a passion for what they are teaching, and most of all care a great deal about their students and care what their students learn. I respect teachers who are honest. Who say, “I know not everyone wants to learn this concept today, but you will learn it.” I think the perfect teacher always has a great sense of humor and has a willingness to teach subjects from different perspective.

Who knows????

To be honest I really did not have anything to be confused or puzzled about in class. When I first started the class, I was really confused about TOPIC and the purpose of ICON, but through class discussions and reading I now realize that both systems are effective in some ways and lacking in others. I guess the only serious question I had was how can instructors effectively get the kids in our classes to be interested in the material that we as instructors are teaching them? And if that student truly is not interested in the material and submits inferior work then as Instructors do we have the right to fail them.

I mean in reality can instructors really save all of the students that come through our comp classes. And do we really need to. I put forth the premise that we really cannot. And in reality it is not our job or responsibility to do that. We as instructors can only do so much, and if we show our students that we care about them and are willing to help them learn then students should meet us half way as well.