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TEACHING is … Recommending the New Book by Marjan Glavac

By Robert RosecloseAuthor: Robert Rose Name: Robert Rose
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About: Dr.Rose has taught every grade in four major school districts in So.California. He has been successful using an eclectic and complex approach derived from solid research in the sciences. His web sites imaginativecurriculum.com and YouTube.com/icdrrose videos are filled with his books, workbooks, and videos that challenge the status quo. He has attempted to teach based on the Constitution and mutual respect and it has worked. For forty-five years in a yours, mine, and ours marriage, he enjoys a family that is demonstratively affectionate and loving. His latest book, Abuses of Power in Education; Challenging Practically Everything, Outskirts Press, 2008, is one of the main sources for the ideas he will be explaining in his blogs. He believes that students, teachers, parents, and administrators need legal power and protection to be able to have the freedom to do their job most effectively. No person or group should have unlimited power and that's why balance is as important as autonomy.See Authors Posts (19)

Teaching Is … is a colorful book with statements, questions, and commentaries about teachers, children, and teaching in general. Marjan Glavac is a Canadian veteran teacher who has seen and done it all and we shared our experiences in two one hour radio sessions. Some examples.

“Prepping your students on the importance to study for their final exam every day for a week… and then forgetting to bring the exams from home.” This would never happen in the USA because no administrator would let the exams out of the concrete bunker guarded by a SWAT team. It shows not only that teachers forget, but the stresses they’re under makes them act stupidly.

“Working very late in your portable classroom, when you hear a knock on the door: a parent has made supper for you.” That parent better be your wife or husband.Yes, it’s true there are many thoughtful parents and when you make the effort to respect their opinions and feelings and don’t treat them as inferior citizens, they’ll knock themselves out for you.

“Being remembered and thanked at the end of the year…with a handwritten note on a scrape piece of wrinkled paper.” You feel the love and it’s all worth it. You have to be sensitive to all the other nuances and expressions that students use that show how much they care. I remember in my second year one of my sixth grade girls sent me a love note and I corrected and sent it back to her.Her look was unforgettable and my action was unforgivable. I never did such a cruel thing again the rest of my fifty years.

“Convinced you have the worst class of your career, you come to class one day and find all your students have dressed up with a tie just like you.” I am constantly surprised when a guest I thought might be boring, turns out to be an amazingly interesting person. Sometimes a student or entire class that you think hates or doesn’t like you ends up being the best ever. Teaching is filled with such surprises.

“Having a student come up with a better way to solve a math problem, even though you’ve taught the same lesson for five years.” This is why I consider Marjan an extraordinary teacher. For a student to do that meant the student felt respected, returned that respect, and felt free enough to explain his thoughts. Teachers that only fill the allegedly empty vessels are not only crushing thinking and creativity, they themselves are empty.

“That incredible, indescribable feeling of relief when the last report card is written.” I had that feeling the first few years, but then I began to sit with each student and discuss with her/him about what grade was appropriate and why.  I found them (mostly) to have an excellent grasp of what they earned – or hadn’t. I would give them whatever we agreed upon. At times when I thought it was higher than my belief, they would begin to function at that level. As stated above, teaching is filled with surprises.

“You immediately understand why a student behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.” I was explaining my concern about her son’s constant use of obscenity, when she turned to him, punched him on the arm, knocking him out of his chair and said,” You little SOB, I’ve told you a million times not to cuss.” The next morning I told him I’d never tell his mother anything he did. We’d settle things ourselves.

He became a model student.

“Receiving a “Pat on the Back” from an administrator you respect, admire, and love.” It’s what more teachers need on a steady basis to give them added strength to persevere against difficult odds.

I see this book sitting in the staff room and one page be part of that day’s conversations or as a beginning of a staff meeting. It just brings out thoughtful exchanges like happen between Marjan and me, because Teaching is… many things.