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| I want to share a part of me I have bottled inside since 1996.Perhaps my experience will cause others to stand up for what they believe in, re-evaluate old ways, introduce new ideas, and rid the education system of stereo-types who become robotic conformists in a stagment attempt to save all children when they win the battle, while losing the war.I should write my book from this ....I have taped conversations, letters, diaries, but more than that...I have a better understanding of myself.I AM A DRIVEN ACTIVIST FOR THE KIDS....and when I become irritated at the way systems do not utilize creativity in the classroom, I remember this experience and KNOW that I am where I am, because of WHERE I have been.When I did my student teaching.I went in with enthusiasm galore.I brought all my African artifacts to class, and had the thug /drug dealing kids writing and reading poetry.It was a high school in a southern town.The teacher over me was a burned out relic and in the beginning she said, "this is the best and it goes down hill from there..."Well, in my mind, I interpreted that as "these are the ones who will and these are the ones who will."To make a long story short......she became jealous.She told me to not be creative and "save it for your classroom."She said I should not be over helpful with the students.....just do it (teach) by the book.She said I should not share my writing, or experiences with the kids, or talk about individuality or diverse issues.Consequently, I had walked into a racial wasp nest and did not know it.?One kid?named, Ricardo, told me, "We are the thugs, Ms. LaFaye.You got us reading and writing poetry and we like it.Why you care so much?and you?re white!"?I wonder if he remembers me as much as I do him.?I still cry when I think of all this.I was unknowingly creating a learning environment that had become an underground link that made kids ask to get into my classes.They were coming to school on time, happy, and asking, "What are you going to teach us today, Ms. LaFaye."The low-end kids performed for me and grades sky- rocketed.This teacher accused them of cheating, but when retested by her in other formats, they still passed with flying colors cause they KNEW the material.Funny, I was just being me....ENTHUSIASTIC ME!??HA I even told the kids to be "kind" to her....imagine that?I told them that sometimes the ones who deserve love the least, need it the most.The department wanted me to do my student teaching over again and be stricter, by the book."stricter?"I said, "Hell, No! I was doing what I had been taught to do already.I was TEACHING!"I even contacted the State Education people....but as one lady explained to me, "a student teacher has NO legal rights or protection?no matter how good they are.She added that I should "pursue my teaching career and become an activist for kids" which I did.The NAACP local president?s? son was a student of mine, and I went to his church.They got their lawyer to meet me, which the first thing he said was, "Wow, you?re white. |
| They got their lawyer to meet me, which the first thing he said was, "Wow, you?re white.No wonder you are stirring things up."?The school had told me not to return and I could not come into the school again.The kids had a walk out and refused to come to school, and when they were told I had abandomed them, they knew I had not.?Many called me? and while I?told them to return to class?that I would be all right,?I could not explain why this had happened.To keep things quiet, I was?placed in an independent study; made to change my degree to straight English and not get my teaching certification to graduate me on time.The principal of the highschool was the man who had to award me with an honor for Omicron in my university when I graduated.?Many of the students came to my graduation cheering me on.What did I learn?That I was stripped of getting my education certification when I graduated over a jealous teacher and told to "find another profession."That people want results, but are content in their discontentment.That I was a scape goat for the hierarchy of small town conformists.That the KIDS will never forget that THIS teacher cared for each of them and taught to their individual learning ability.That THE LETTERS I have that they wrote to me will forever remind me never to forget the passion, the power, the DIFFERENCE a single person can make.?That some teachers are BORN and innately DO when others won?t or are afraid to.That I am a good teacher .... and something they couldn?t take from me was my enthusiasm and creativity.Did the experience make me bitter?Actually, it made me BETTER.But it changed me, made me diligent and charismatic in EVERYTHING I do.Would I do things differently if I could do them again?NO WAY........experience teaches what watching will not.I believe in rules.?I can follow rules when they are productive.However, I will always work for the child...the student....with passion, enthusiasm, and YES!LOVE!?LIBERAL AMOUNTS OF LOVE!?a movie....no, real life drama...FROM PAGES OF MY LIFESo, to all those kids....I REMEMBER YOU, each and everytime I look into the eyes of my students I teach now.And I will always believe, you will never forget a blonde haired, blue-eyed southern gal who loved with a love that spilled over into ever crevice....enthusiastically."Insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting different results."Einstein.?Stop the insanity.Educate, stimulate learning with love and enthusiasm.?We are the winners ... we were always the winners because we would not quit or be satisfied with no less than our best results.I am still enthusiastic.I will always be created.I am,TERI LaFAYE March 29, 2008 LaFaye |
| I will always be created.I am,TERI LaFAYE March 29, 2008 LaFaye |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 July 2008 )
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