Reflection on Campus Presentation: Going Green

Tonight (9/23) I attended a key note speaker presentation which was the first of a three-part series about sustaing a just and healthy society. The speech was given by Claude Mertzenich. The topic for this lecture was specifically about new chemical reactions and processes for pollution prevention. Going "green" has become social movement in today's society. It's purpose is to influence the political process by lobbying, activism and education in order to protect the environment and the earth's natural resources and habitats. Prof. Mertzenich was very educated on this topic and his lecture was very interesting. I am not exceptionally interested in chemistry, so parts of the lecture were somewhat over my head. However, the overlaying topic did get me questioning the overall implications for future teachers. I believe it is a teacher's responsibility to educate their students not only in history, math, english, science, etc. But it is crucial for a teacher to get kids engaged and interested in the world around them. Going green is a big social movement in the modern world. I hope to be a teacher that is able to convey the importance of environmental conservation. The trick is getting kids intrigued and helping them to care about taking care of the world in which they live. It takes public awareness to make changes in the world. I believe passion is something that must be ignited at a young age. Teachers have a responsibility to educate students in more than academics, but also to instill in them the desire to make a difference. We must teach pollution prevention, rather than reaction to problems that we create. We must inspire kids to dream and to take pride in their world so that they carry the knowledge and confidence to step forward in the future as educated and informed human beings.

Week 1: Lions for Lambs

I really enjoyed the movie, "Lions for Lambs". I thought it was very thought provoking. That part where Robert Redford is attempting to "sell you to you" to one of his most gifted students. I think the hardest part of being a teacher is not the lesson plans, the tests, keeping order in the classroom, organization, or grades. Rather, I think the hardest part is being able to make kids care. How do we stimulate kids? Getting kids excited is the real challenge. I think the most important thing is to keep them challenged. If a student is being challenged so that he or she does not understand the material, then he or she will become bored. Moreover, if a student is not being stimulated by material that is challenging, he or she will also become bored. We must meet each student at their individual academic level. Differentiating material is key for teachers at all age levels to keep kids interested. But the one thing that I loved the most about the movie, was that Robert Redford was attempting to inspire his students to dream. He challenged his students not just academically, but he also sought to develop their character. I believe this is the most important role of teachers.