Teaching English Now

Even as I inch closer to the decade mark of being an educator, the dynamic and structure has completely changed from when I started. Any teacher knows that the structure of the school however has not changed at all.

My classes have been an ever-changing puzzle that I am expected to solve every school year.

In my youth, I despised school and had a list of teachers that were never truly supportive or honest for that matter. I was a smart kid, but I was never challenged in the ways that I needed. I was learning on my own by watching documentaries, bonus features on my favorite movies, and experiencing life.

My life experiences were not ideal for anyone. Drug addiction and eviction plagued many years of my youth, instability, mixed with opportunities from more stable parts of the family. I worked jobs and was always needed despite never having time to process my thoughts or errors of the heart. My upbringing has taught me a lot, but it did come at a price. Fortunately, It did help me see through “fake” teachers and find real mentors in my later years.

My life experiences and learning path is what led to the educational profession, and why I struggle with the structure of it all now. I am confident in saying that I have been masterful in getting to know my students and making an impact as a mentor.

The real struggle is trying to keep up with the whiplash-worthy changes in how students and people consume information.

I was fortunate enough to have no technology growing up, then being an “adult” in an age of technology taking over the world. I love tech and use the resources I have to make amazing lessons and expand my knowledge. I am intelligent and have a true teacher mentality, but I have come to an interesting point in my teaching career.

How do I encourage and help my students learn true independence in their learning as I did, but in a world that will never be the same?

-Mr. J

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