Today was professional development day (or PD as the principal of my school referred to it). Quite honestly, I was not impressed with the sessions. While I appreciated the chance to sleep in, I think that the seminars were a little unnecessary.
The first that I went to was titled “Creative Insubordination.” It was basically four years of PBU education classes, although it lacked the practical methods aspect. I appreciated everything that the speaker had to say which included the need for teachers to teach creatively under current standardization procedures. However, his method of achieving his point was a little lacking and instead students just spewed their opinions about the educational system in a humanistic manner.
I believe the speaker brought up a very valid and even biblical point: he emphasized the need for teachers to allow their students to fail and get back up. That is, students should not be afraid to make mistakes in the classroom, nor should teachers try to subdue the creativity of the student through averting mistakes that students make.
The second session that I went to was better because it was interactive. Not only this, but it was taught by an African-American woman who was trying to teach white students about how to teach colored students. The title of her seminar was “Teaching Urban Students of Color Using Multiple Intelligences.” I don’t think that the Multiple Intelligences aspect came into play, but it was good to have a greater knowledge about the urban students I will be teaching as well as to receive this advice from one who is colored and has experience to share.
Other than my negative opinions about the sessions, it was a good, stress-free day to spend with friends.
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