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- 05/12/2021
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Adam Blake - 5. Chapter 5
I did select the school Mom suggested. It took me the first year to select a major but I decided to be a teacher. Not in the sense of a normal teacher but one that dealt with students who had a difficult time grasping concepts as they were taught from a strict teaching position. When I talked to my advisor about this he tried to tell me it’d be frustrating and I’d burn out. Then I told him about Jerry, Dan, and Emory. I think he then understood where I was headed. He supported me, even had me visit the local high school during my sophomore year to work with some of their students. One of the students asked me about my high school. I explained about Jerry, Dan, and Emory. A little girl in the back of the room, “Did they call you Mr. Blake?”
“No, they called me Teach.” I was proud of that name, it meant something to them and as well as to me. I think they helped me to make up my mind to be a teacher.
I never took a summer break, I studied at school and when I wasn’t studying, I was helping someone to learn. When word got around, as they do in small towns, a lot of parents, teachers, and students came to ask for my help. I think my advisor realized that there was a need for a teacher like me and from that point on he was behind me 110 percent. I got my doctorate in an unorthodox manner. The school did not offer a Ph.D. program, you could earn a Bachelors's or Masters's degree. My advisor developed a program for me and when I had finished my dissertation, they called in professors from adjacent universities to judge what I had presented. The paper wasn’t an issue, it was the defense of the paper that was an issue. Some of them thought a liberal view to education would end up with a student who wouldn't be well rounded and would have difficulty earning a place in society. That was easy to discuss in that society was becoming more specialized and that humanities had an important role to play. By addressing each students learning need, one can open their minds and allow them to pursue their dreams. Our teaching methods simply say every student learns this way and that isn’t the case. I had my football players to use as an example, no names supplied.
We took a break after two hours for refreshments. My advisor said part of the problem is that they are not happy with our school doing this. “You are breaking ground and sometimes you hit a rock that needs blasted loose.”
I just laughed as we entered the room to begin the second round. They took the position that the teacher’s role is to present the material and unless the student asks for help, to continue as is. I wasn’t sure if they were testing me or believed that. I disagree with that proposition. "The teacher’s role is to insure every child in the classroom learns the material. She must have an army of methods to reach students. We have lists of genius that if we had the rigid teaching method that you propose, would never have develop. That sir would have been a waste of humanity. I have seen students who were characterized as being unable to learn, turn around and become excellent students. The only difference was the method used to reach them. In my opinion, there are no dumb students, only teachers who are not trained to be able to reach those children. Sirs, that would be a waste of a most valuable resource that can never be reclaimed.”
I sat down and waited. Everything was quiet. I thought I went too far but I knew I was right. If they didn’t want to give me the degree it was ok. I still would continue to teach as I saw the need.
My advisor came over and whispered in my ear. “You can leave. I’ll let you know the outcome.”
I stood up, nodded to the panel, and left the room. My friends were waiting for me, “Adam, what went on in there. We could hear you shouting.”
“I’m not sure. I was a little angry. I’m confused, are they upset because of what I wrote or because the school has awarded the possibility of a Doctorate.”
“If you get the degree you’ll be the first.”
“Hopefully not the last”
“Come on Adam you need a drink.” My friends led me to a bar close to the school. They knew I didn’t drink but they insisted I have something, so I had a glass of white wine.
I think we talked about everything except school. One of the fathers of the kids I worked with saw me, “Hello Adam, is everything all right?”
“Yes, John, just had a meeting with some professors and need a quiet time. How is Andy doing?”
“He’s doing very well. With the techniques you taught us, his schoolwork has improved. I think he may graduate with a decent school record. I didn’t think that before you came along.”
“John, I included Andy as an example in my thesis, I hope you don’t mind. He was Student AB if you ever get to read my thesis.”
“I’ll look for it, Adam. Thanks for what you did.”
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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