Discussion in a Democratic Society

In the excerpt from “Discussion as a Way of Teaching,” it talks about the importance of teaching in a classroom, and the allowance of students to speak and discuss their beliefs. This allows students and teachers alike to have access to a broader range of opinions, and to think, defend, and maybe even have their viewpoints changed.

            I love that the teacher, Steve, admits that he came in with a specific view on the issue of DNRs, that he is happy when his students have the same views as him, but then he is surprised by opposing view points. Instead of telling students they are wrong, he lets them have their own opinions and explain their reasons why. By doing so he allowed students to grow in his classroom.

            This is not always the case in classrooms. In all my experience as a student, there are always teachers who will tell you what you believe is wrong. It doesn’t matter what school type you’ve been in, parochial or public (I’ve been in both), there is always that one teacher who, if you don’t share the same opinion, they argue against you, not allowing a discussion. I want to be the type of teacher who allows open discussion in her classroom. I want to encourage participation in these discussions and to show my students you can have different opinions with out it being the end of the work.

            As a teacher, I do not think that my personal opinion should trump those of my students. I should be able to direct discussion and keep them from arguing, but yet still be able to allow everyone’s opinions to be heard, whether or not it is the same as mine. I should not come into class with unrealistic expectations of what my students will say, but instead to allow myself to be surprised and/or impressed by what they have to offer.

Introductory Letter Assignment

Hi! My name is Makenzie Curtis. I am beginning my fifth and final year as a Music Education Major and English Minor at Eastern Washington University. I'm actually just about to start my observations in a high school music classroom, and am so excited!! Previously I have worked in elementary and preschool/daycare environments. I cannot wait to get experience as a teacher with high school students now instead. I also currently have one middle school aged student I am teaching in guitar, and hope in the next year or so I will feel like I have enough experience to expand to more students.

Although my major is in music education, I have always had a love of English, especially the literature aspect. I have always been the kind of person who can't put a book down until it is finished, being driven nuts if I have other obligations and cannot read. I have only taught one English lesson so far, and even that was done in a class I was taking. I am actually less nervous about teaching English than Music, because even though I love and am experienced with both, I feel less comfortable with music. This might be more of the fact that I do not give myself enough credit, but even so, I feel as though I can use more experience in that area.

For this course in particular, I want to get as much out of it as possible. I think that the book list we are to read is very exciting, and I cannot wait to try putting things like graphic novels into practice, especially with students who do not love reading as much as I do. I think this will give me another opportunity to work on fully understanding TPAs and curricula as a whole, and I am very excited to see where this class takes me!