We published this article, written by two Oakland teachers, in our most recent newsletter. They were trying to capture a very real and very ironic problem for teachers: overworked as they are, how often do teachers get to teach themselves. If this resonates with you, teacher or not, please let us know in the comments.
When Was the Last Time You Read a Book?
By Sarah Rose Oyfstand and Aram Mendoza
When was the last time you read a book?
I spent two weeks of my summer participating in an intensive professional development with teachers from my school along and dozens of other bay area teachers from various social justice oriented high schools. The seminar was excellent – everyone walked away excited to start the year with new ideas and methods for helping our students learn how to read and discuss difficult texts. During the closing circle, a teacher from a progressive school in Oakland stated, “I resolve to read during the school year, just like I’m expecting my students to read.”
A simple yet provocative statement. During the lunch hour a handful of teachers sat and discussed the fact that as educators we have a hard time carving out space for intellectual and political development in our own lives. One teacher reflected that, “during the summer my partner doesn’t want to watch any documentaries or movies that get our intellectual juices flowing because it’s summer, and that’s the time to take a break. But during the school year we also don’t want to watch things that provoke us to think too much because need a break from the classroom and just want to decompress.” The majority of the teachers echoed the sentiment.
How many times have you heard something similar? Be honest, when was the last time you read a book? When was the last time you read a book that wasn’t a novel? When was the last time you were in a study group?
