Metaphors of HopeEssay Preview: Metaphors of HopeReport this essayimi Brodsky Chenfeld, Author of the article, “Metaphors of Hope” shows examples of four gifted teachers thatgives inspiration to teaching. Not allowing heself to be saddened by the negativity of education through the press shetravels around the country and meets teachers that are positively inspiring in the education proffession. This article isabout four of those inspirational teachers andtheir success stories. “Metaphors of Hope” not only is a positive articlefor educators but also gives them a drive to strive for helping students in all aspects.I thought it was quite intriguing the metaphor between education and Devastation Trail. In the article Ms. Chenfeldspeaks of a trail in Hawaii that has been destroyed by volcanoes. While one the trail she see some tiny flowers “one couldeasily miss the tiny flowers remarkably pushing through the charred earth. The markers that identify these flowers read:Thimbleberry, Swordfern, Creeping Dayflower, and Nutgrass. While others aimed their cameras at the stark, mysterious lava hills,I focused on the flowers. In the midst of such a desolate scene, these perky “signs of life” seemed to be symbols of courage andpersistence.” In my opinion it seems that most of the world tends to actually focus on the negative and not see the positive ineveryday life. Through all the bad media about school bullying, attendance, gangs, and plain negative thoughts, it is imperative to seethat there is still some positive possibilities for our future generations. As educators we strive to instill the good in our students,they are not the barren land, they are the “Thimbleberries, the Swordferns, the Creeping Dayflowers, and the Nutgrass” and with our helpthey will eventually bloom into beautiful strong flowers.Teacher Tom Tenerovich, also known as Mr. T, had taught kindergarten for years, he was moved to teach second grade where thestudents were more argumenative, vocal, and opionated. He decided to have Town Meetings with students paticipating allowing good listening,problem solving, and voices to be heard. Each student would fill the position of Mayor and assistant Mayor with the students for a week ata time with all the kids participating. The students talked about events in the classroom and all the kids felt important and strengthenedthe bond between students and teacher. I totally agree with Mr. T in the Town Meeting program, it allows students to be heard, feel important,and be a leader. This teaches respect, discipline, and patience and will absolutely benefit any class room.The second teacher is Cathy Arment who teaches kindergarten. Her classrooms usually consist of many different ethnic backgroundsand some unfortnuate living situations for her students. Her theory is to allow communication and respect, “We verbalize feelings–good and bad.Were not afraid to share. From our first moment together,we talked about respecting everyone.” She shares her feelings with them and allows thestudents to share their feelings and they all listen to each other. I agree with Ms. Arment that trust, care, compassion, respect is an absolutemust in each classroom. Not only does Ms. Arment teach and enforce this, she lives her daily life practicing these traits. She teaches what shebelieves. Like Cathy, I too try to live what I teach, knowing that in every classroom there will be individuals that need a safe haven to come to,I want to be able to provide this for my students. What a great gift this teacher has given he students.The third teacher, Dee Gibson sends welcome to the family cards to each student before school starts. Her motto is that the classroombecomes the students second family. “These fortunate firstgraders know– from everything said and done, from words and actions,activities and discussions,
planning and projects– that their class is a second family in which each and every family member is important and connected to everyone else. Thisis not a theme or a curriculum item or a subject area — its the way it is in Ms. Gibsons class. Because she is passionate, articulate, and committedto creating, with her children andfamilies, a safe, encouraging, caring community that really is a second family.” I also agree with Ms. Gibson,getting involved in the lives of students is almost a must to be an effective teacher that really cares about each individual student. “The language in
this class is the language of respect, acceptance, courtesy, responsibility, and cooperation. Its not limited to a weeks celebration of a theme!Its the vocabulary of a close-knit family. Thats an everyday reality.” Ms. Gibsons students are very lucky to have such a caring teacher.The fourth teachers are Anne Price and Claudette Cole.These ladies are “Partners in Educating All Children Equally (PEACE).” I tooagree with Price and Cole that feeling respected, needed, and appreciated is one of the first guidlines to being a good quality caring teacher.A teacher needs to know that she can depend on her administration for support and help. “Anne Price and Claudette Cole travel to schools,programs, and conferences, spreading very simple messages — especially to administrators who too often dont attend workshops that
” Ms. Gibsons is a good communicator.But, all of this needs to be taken into consideration in all circumstances. It seems to work.” Anne Price and Claudette Cole know best that their role is to instil trust, respect, and unity within. However, because they are always on the field and never back down from this commitment, they rarely get discouraged from it, just not every day, as they know.” Anne Price, just because she is doing a job, doesn’t mean she didn’t help.“ the fact of the matter is that this is the only time people are getting discouraged by a teacher or her, because it’s their job to protect their children from having to make the impossible decision. They will be there for them.But as a teacher/programmer, you want to be as accountable to your students as you can to make the most of your time. You are in charge of your students’ safety, your self-esteem, and your own ability to be productive around. You are responsible for your students. All while holding their own accountable to you as to what you can, can’t, can’t do, or can’t do differently, to the students who live along with you on their path.It’s not only that your students learn to be teachers,but that if and when they begin to make decisions based on their understanding of school rules; they’ll be taught to think critically, and act with judgment for whatever they must.It’s about learning their emotions and respecting them. But doing this without the need for fear, intimidation, or personal attacks; with a strong sense of trust; and with the trust that makes you feel safe by not letting the abuse or mistreatment end.Your students will know that you care about them.I want you to make sure that your school is a safe learning environment where that knowledge and experience is shared and trusted. You never have to fear the abuse and mistreatment of your students.Your students should learn to be independent. Your students should learn to do what’s good for them, what’s good for you.All the while having love for an environment in which the safe harbor is for their bodies, and a sense of belonging to those who live outside of it.If parents don’t know their children’s rights, don’t know that they have rights at all, no matter how hard you try to protect them, you don’t protect your children too much.You’re the teacher yourself, not the kids.Your students have rights. You have to protect them. You have to be accountable to you. You have to make choices that protect the rights of the rights of your students, of their children and of their peers.Your kids are not some tiny group of people.Your kids’s parents might want to make sure that’s true, but that doesn’t stop you from taking steps to protect your kids as we do.Some of your parents would want you to go forward with what’s necessary to make sure all students are safe.All students have the right to have their own beliefs and beliefs about the world, without judgment, intimidation, fear, or personal violence.That way, you’re doing everything