School's Almost Over

I have just one more final in educational psychology then I can focus on my final project for my master's in journalism. I'm excited to have the time to devote to this project. Lately I've had a major break mental break through and the concept for this project is finally solidifying.

With help from some friends pointing me in the right direction I've have found lots of evidence that supported my intuition regarding Local Education News (LENs). This could seriously revolutionize the organization of news.

I've been neglecting this blog only but I've been working on this project nearly non-stop. This past semester I've not only take the ed. psych. class but also a "social foundations of education" class. Both sadly have made me realize why I didn't enjoy high school.

I hate to generalize teachers into one group or another. In fact many of my close friends are teachers and I have a lot of respect for them and their work. But most of the undergraduates that are studying to be teachers fail to earn my respect.

Many of the students who want to teach are reluctant to learn themselves. They didn't buy the textbook, they didn't like to read or study. They had limited experience of the world outside their limited existence. Most settled for teaching because it was "easy." Many were dogmatic in their thinking.

In my educational law class, all who are currently teachers or administrators talked during class. Ironic. The ed. psych class only lasted half of the alloted time. As if to say learning is not that important, just teach. All of these classes were a series of pep talks lavishing praise for the student who wanted to be teachers. Ahh, the noble profession.

While blasting teacher's is an easy target we should wonder what is it about the profession that other more intellectually inclined avoid it. In other words, what social conditions lead people who dislike education itself to teach?

Granted there are other problems than simply the poor qualities of teachers but it was truly eye opening to see the sad state of the teaching profession. I thought journalist were taught poorly.

I've also done a few classroom observations and plan to do many more. But that recently requires an $40 F.B.I. background check. Previously it was just a state police and a child abuse clearance. Oh the simple days. One day I guess I'll be able to write that off on my taxes. But first I need an income.

I wish some one else would run with this project and take the risks. I've got a daughter to raise and this risk is truly scary. I'd rather work a menial job and get paid sometimes. Sometime.