Idea Squelchers, The Education Edition

When I was in undergrad I daydreamed about what it would be like to realize my dream of becoming a teacher. Unfortunately a semester of student teaching quickly helped me face reality. Teaching was far from what I expected (in both positive and negative ways). The last five years of my career have literally changed my life. I love my job but I must say there are certainly aspects of the classroom that can really take the fun out of teaching. Here are my top six "Idea Squelchers" in Schools...

1. But that is not politically correct.
We have all heard this statement, especially come Christmas time. It is frustrating to me that I must discuss how others from around the world celebrate the holidays while I feverishly remember to not dare mention the word Christmas. To avoid this my kindergarten team has resorted to focusing on winter themes rather than holidays because it is just easier to plan a unit integrating gingerbread men and snow flakes than it is to avoid stepping on anyone's toes.

2. There is just no money in our budget this year.
Although my mama always told me... "money isn't everything" it sure doesn't hurt. Not in a marriage and most certainly not in a classroom.

3. I have always done it that way...
If I had a dollar for every time one of my ex teammates said this to me I would have a lot of dollars! Just because you did something your students enjoyed once doesn't mean it is the end all be all in the world of teaching. Teaching should be about sharing ideas and developing old ones to consistently improve your lesson plans. Let's face it... in teaching there is really no such thing as a truly original idea!

4. No matter what I do they will never learn.
This one is just plan ridiculous. Every child may not be able to learn at the same rate but they can learn and they will if they have a teacher who believes in them. What is the saying... "if you shoot for the moon you will land among the stars?" Pretty powerful motto for a classroom teacher don't you think?

5. That sounds too complicated for a _____ year old student.
As a kindergarten teacher I have heard this remark several times throughout my career. It always baffles me how educators can be their students' worst enemies. Have faith in children. They have the determination I only wish I could have half of the time.

6. I did not see that on the Standard Course of Study.
Just because something isn't listed on a profile card doesn't mean we cannot integrate it into our current lesson plans. Making learning interesting and fun is half the battle. Sicking to scripted text book lessons can take the fun out of learning. It can also take the fun out of teaching!

Idea squelchers can really such the life out of teaching (and life for that matter!). As educators we must look past these as we trug along offering our students our very best. As I write this list I have to chuckle. You see in the first seven days of school I have already heard five out of six on my list. The only reason I have not heard number six yet... today was our first official day of kindergarten and we didn't get too far past how to line up to go to the bathroom.