I was asked the other day what subjects I taught. Which had me thinking-I have a multiple subject credential which essentially means I can teach all subjects grades K-5. That being said, I would not call myself a math or science teacher by any means. I also have a single subject credential in English so I can teach ELA at the high school level. Please don't ask me to read Charles Dickens or Thomas Hardy. I taught art for a number of years and my Bachelors is in Film and Media Studies/Media Production under the general term "Humanities.' And I've done a lot of theater. And video. And video editing and production. My official title at school is Educational Technology Support Teacher.
So, what subjects am I comfortable teaching? In my dream world (or my former real world Australia), I would not teach a subject. I would team teach an interdisciplinary topic. The topic would involve a novel, film, society, the arts, historical context, and for fun I guess we could build something to throw in some math. But fun math. Or if you are creating a video you do have to do some math with FPS and such. I think you see where I am going here.
Is this STEM, STEAM or for us religious educators STREAM? I don't know. What I do know is that when I suddenly had to switch gears and learn this way I became a better educator, and a better learner. I wanted to keep learning new things on a wide range of topics. I think the Australians are onto something-and this was I am embarrassed to say (only because it means revealing my age) over 25 years ago.
We also now have the ugly Common Core debate. Many educators, especially those of the arts, criticize these standards for leaving out the visual and performing arts. I think the CCSS if taught correctly, could provide a student with an education rich in both the visual and performing arts. But that would require a discussion and a shift I am not sure that teachers are ready for and certainly not parents who are looking for high test scores. Such is the dilemma administrators face and what frustrates creative educators like myself who want to change education NOW. We want the Oompa Loompa NOW!!!
My answer to the question would be, "Subjects? I do not teach subjects. I encourage creativity and curiousity. What do you want to know? Let's explore together."
So, what subjects am I comfortable teaching? In my dream world (or my former real world Australia), I would not teach a subject. I would team teach an interdisciplinary topic. The topic would involve a novel, film, society, the arts, historical context, and for fun I guess we could build something to throw in some math. But fun math. Or if you are creating a video you do have to do some math with FPS and such. I think you see where I am going here.
Is this STEM, STEAM or for us religious educators STREAM? I don't know. What I do know is that when I suddenly had to switch gears and learn this way I became a better educator, and a better learner. I wanted to keep learning new things on a wide range of topics. I think the Australians are onto something-and this was I am embarrassed to say (only because it means revealing my age) over 25 years ago.
We also now have the ugly Common Core debate. Many educators, especially those of the arts, criticize these standards for leaving out the visual and performing arts. I think the CCSS if taught correctly, could provide a student with an education rich in both the visual and performing arts. But that would require a discussion and a shift I am not sure that teachers are ready for and certainly not parents who are looking for high test scores. Such is the dilemma administrators face and what frustrates creative educators like myself who want to change education NOW. We want the Oompa Loompa NOW!!!
My answer to the question would be, "Subjects? I do not teach subjects. I encourage creativity and curiousity. What do you want to know? Let's explore together."