As we begin the next semester we are reminded about the idea as teachers we are teaching both face-to-face and virtually. In different parts of the country, our teachers are facing different obstacles. Ultimately, our job and passion is to educate our students. We have to motivate them and get them engaged in the content. With that said, the beginning of 2021 for history teachers started with a bang. Using that concept, we as teachers need to look at current events and bring the historical aspects to them, thus getting our students interested in the content. Some students will be interested for the wrong reasons but it is our job as educators to show all sides of the argument, event or document. Then we must step back and let our students decide where they stand.
When I was in the classroom, I would tell my students they would not be able to see which political party I supported. The reason for this is that they have to make decisions for themselves as informed citizens. My reason for teaching is to cultivate students into a group that researches the topics, looks at all sides of a topic and then makes the decision that works best for them.
We are facilitators that teach the students where to look for information, how to sort out the biases and then look at what mimics their life. In doing this we create lifelong learners. We are helping them develop the skills they will need to look at any topic. Yes, there are things that every teacher is required to teach as far as content. We are laying foundations for many ideas that they will have to look at and learn more about in their future.
As history or social studies teachers, we have the spotlight on us. The light has been growing the past year or so but now many of our students are more interested in the content we teach. While we have them engaged, we can show our students the importance of our content. Many students do not realize the importance in history until we have shown then the connection. Then they realize history affects them and their future.
Michelle's History Graphics 