Idealism

This past week of placement, hanging out before school with some of the teachers we were having a discussion about being that teacher - that role model, that teacher that can change the world. All of these teachers have been working for at least ten years and say they once had that dream, when they were in teachers college, but in reality it's just not happening.
I sat there and took in their words, listening carefully as they discussed one of my favourite movies Freedom Writers, and Saving Silverman, and movies where the teacher is a hero, where the teacher influences the children's lives immensely.
I walk around with that vision of being that teacher, my entire life has been based around being that teacher, i imagine my life as that teacher. Through my teacher I want to change the world, I want to help those children who need it most, I want to reach out to those children who feel lost, and make those who do not like school find some sort of interest in learning. I want to give everyone a chance to succeed.
I have been told before that my visions are too idealistic. The same thought always come to mind, John Lennon's "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
In my International Education class we had a guest speaker present his experiences in teaching in Aboriginal schools, and now in a Montessori school. He discussed the realities and politics that come along with teaching, but also the passions of the teachers that make learning excited. He said to always hold on to your idealistic vision, your teaching dream. Pursue that dream. There will be hard days and there will be amazing days, but carry your vision with you.
Taylor Mali's video, What Teachers Make is one of my favourite videos. For me, talking from an idealist perspective, in snaps back the realists vision into the bigger picture of the difference they're making.
The teachers began their conversation because of some disappointment in a couple of the students attending that school. The disappointment was not a product of a lack of effort from the teachers, but more of a defeated sensation. They were frustrated and lost on how to reach these particular students. Taylor Mali's speech presents the small things that teachers do that lead up to the bigger picture, the idealistic vision.
Watch the video of What Teachers Makes. This version is a production the beautiful words.

Without people dreaming, we would achieve so little. Hang onto your visions, don't let anyone or anything stop you. Pursue your dreams. Wish it. Dream it. Do it.

Conflict of Technology

Today at work I was verbally insulted and abused by a customer. As the sales associate I am allowed to do nothing, but stand there and smile politely.
However, as this man continued to yell at me I realized that this was an act of anger due to a lack of knowledge; a lack of knowledge of technology.
This issue was his chip on his credit card did not work, our store policy and payment system does not allow us to override chips due to security reasons. This man swore that it would work and I was not listening to him and I should believe him that it would work. However, he was not listening to me in my telling him of the way our system works. But that is besides the point. This man was mislead about the technology.
This had me thinking - I understand the technology of chip readers and magnet swipes and the payment systems, but all because I work in retail. If I didn't I would know how they work, but not really understand how they work.
This is a piece of technology used everyday, for many of us, multiple times a day. Yet, what do we really know about it? What do we know about how the payment system responds to our card? Reaches the bank? We all just stand there waiting for that "Approved. Remove Card" message.
How are we supposed to learn about this technology, or fully understand this technology?
I cannot fault that man for yelling at me, I am sure he is a lovely guy. He was just arguing for something he believed in and the way he thought the system worked. He did not know any different, or understand why we, as a store, cannot do what he was asking and override his chip.

I find this relates back to a comment I made earlier about teaching our students about social media. They all know how to work the machine, but they don't know how the machine works. Technology is something that needs to be taught, to everyone, at any age.