On page 10 of this reading assignment, Tomlinson says, "we teach responsively when we understand the need to teach human beings before us as well as to teach the content with which we are charged. It is important to begin with the conviction that we are no longer teaching if what we teach is more important than who we teach or how we teach". What does this mean to you?
This specific question made me think of the quote that was given on the first day of class. "Differentiation is about teaching teachers how to teach children not just content". This thought stayed in my head all week because to me it is common sense. From day one in the program we have learned that in order to be an effective teacher we need to know our students and accomodate to all of their needs not just "stuff" their heads with curriculum. If you have a student who is constantly wondering when their next meal is going to be, they're more focused on that and aren't going to worry too much about school but instead, surrviving. Our student will respect us and be willing to do well in class if we in turn respect and care about them. The day that the content becomes more important rather than the student should never happen. I'm not saying content isn't important, just that lives are molded and changed through guidence and love not curriculum.
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But what about "the test?" What about merit pay? What about you principal's "performance evaluation?" How do you stay being a teacher with a focus on children?
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