Weaknesses

As explained in the "Strengths" blog, Grant and Gillette claim there are ten main actions that all teachers need to experience to be effective teachers. Unfortunately, I have to admit there are two categories in which I have no experience up to this point in my life. They are subjects that are undoubtedly important for all teachers; however, they are categories I have not given much though to in the past. These two actions include "Develop ways to 'recharge your battery'" and "Practice Democratic Principles."

I would like to think I have developed ways of "recharging my battery" during my four years of my undergraduate programs. Unfortunately, I cannot think of specific experiences. There are not specific activities I like to do to relax, there are not places I go to build my confidence or to think. I am an impulsive person and tend to do what I feel is best in the moment. If I am working on a large paper and find myself frustrated there's no telling which activity I would choose to give myself a break. Sometimes I found myself visiting a few good friends. Others, I found myself on a nice long solo walk (so long as it wasn't too cold outside). If the paper was particular frustrating, I might also suddenly find a bowl mint chocolate chip ice cream in my hands as I turn on one of my favorite television shows or movies. Roller blading was always a good option, as well as taking a nice dip in the pool or hot tub. Basically, I have lots of ways of "recharging my batteries" but they are unpredictable even to myself. I have not had much experience choosing one specific activity that always makes me feel better; however, there is a chance that playing roller hockey might be this activity. This will probably be determined in the next couple months.

Next, I look at "Practice Democratic Principles." I have grown up in a family that has a strong military tradition. Every generation in my family has had at least two people in some branch of the U.S. Army. In fact, before making the decision to attend Goshen College, I heavily considered joining the Air Force as a videographer/photographer. My uncle is currently a member of the Air Force. I spent a week touring the facilities, speaking to commanders and interviewing members to determine if the Air Force was the right choice for me. Eventually, I let indecision make my decision. I took a year off rather than joining the Air Force and during that time I found, and fell in love with, Goshen College. That was the only reason I knew the Air Force was not right for me.

Even though I did not go into the Air Force, I am still a Patriot. A term that many times conflicts with the views of Goshen College (a pacifist orientated college) and a good majority of it's students. Just after I started at Goshen College my Uncle was sent to Iraq to fight in the current war. Two days later I was sitting in a chapel at Goshen College, listening to a speaker tell those in attendance that anyone fighting for our country in this war were ignorant. He explained that we needed Peace soldiers. They would take the place of war soldiers and would talk to those in Iraq instead of fire guns at them. An anger blared inside me. I do not approve of the war we are currently in, but I couldn't help but ask this man "What happens if your peace soldiers get shot at? What happens if they are treated meanly? Are they really going to walk in and just take as many bullets as it takes until there is peace?"

I support my country. I support my family. I support my uncle. As a teacher, I will not force military ideals on students; after all, I chose not to go into the military. But, I want to make my students aware of the world around them. I want them to see a war and the soldiers and decide how they feel about it as individuals, rather than being told how they "should" feel. I want them to become political citizens. I will encourage questioning and reasoning so that students do not continue to vote blindly like many Americans in our society do today. I want students to think critically and apply that to how this country is run. They can chose to respect the president, the war, our soldiers, but what they really need to learn is the democratic principal of freedom of speech. Everyone can believe what they want but what we really need to do is respect each other's personal views and choices. These are the main Democratic Principles I believe all students need to learn and I will do my best to teach these principles. No one should have to feel the anger I felt the day my Uncle, as well as many members of my family, was called ignorant.