Intro
Letters To A young Teacher is a series of letters exchanged between Franchesca and Mr. Kozol. The book begins at the start of Franchesca’s first year teaching at an inner city school in Boston. Mr. Kozol is very familiar with this school because taught there himself. Through out the book Mr. Kozol makes many and frequent visits. Throughout these visits Mr. Kozol addresses concerns that Franchesca has as a first year teacher. With each visit Franchesca responds with a letter and Mr. Kozol with a response prior to the next visit. Mr. Kozol builds a relationship throughout these corresponding visits and letters. Mr. Kozol addresses her concerns in very in-depth explanations. Through these explinations Mr. Kozol offers advice, stories on his experiences, and collaboration she should seek through her co-workers. The issues that Mr. Kozol addresses vary greatly, and some are quite controversial. Through these letters you see Franchesca grows through Mr. Kozol’s advice, professional development sessions, and her co-workers. Through all of the obstacles Franchesca experiences her first year of teaching Mr. Kozol and her still share the joy of learning children experience. These letter offer advice and guidance to any pre-service teacher in preparation of her time within the classroom.Scenario Letter
Dear Mr. Kozol,
Last month began my first year as a teacher. This school year has consisted of a lot of firsts. Through all of these first I have been on quite the rollacoaster ride myself. Each comes with a new learning experience. During my time as a pre-service teacher I read Letters To A Young teacher. I grew to admire the relationship that you and Franchesca grew to form. Now as I teach my own classroom of joyful students I try to implement the guidance and expertise you once gave Franchesca. Many of the situations Franchesca found herself worrisome about I now find myself in a fret over.
As I also begin my first year within an inner city school I try to find the best solution to each individual circumstance as they come. Although, at times I worry that I am not living up to my full potential as each new concern arises. This is where I would like for you assistance and expertise. Although I am fully aware of you’re your busy schedule and understand if you are unable to make a visit. Although, our class would greatly appreciate it, if you could join us in classroom 247 at Apple Creek Schools in Knoxville Tennessee. There are 24 smiling faces who would love to greet you with open arms. Additionally, you expertise and wisdom would be greatly appreciated and I feel that it is something that we would all benefit from.
Until next time,
Miss Johnson
Last month began my first year as a teacher. This school year has consisted of a lot of firsts. Through all of these first I have been on quite the rollacoaster ride myself. Each comes with a new learning experience. During my time as a pre-service teacher I read Letters To A Young teacher. I grew to admire the relationship that you and Franchesca grew to form. Now as I teach my own classroom of joyful students I try to implement the guidance and expertise you once gave Franchesca. Many of the situations Franchesca found herself worrisome about I now find myself in a fret over.
As I also begin my first year within an inner city school I try to find the best solution to each individual circumstance as they come. Although, at times I worry that I am not living up to my full potential as each new concern arises. This is where I would like for you assistance and expertise. Although I am fully aware of you’re your busy schedule and understand if you are unable to make a visit. Although, our class would greatly appreciate it, if you could join us in classroom 247 at Apple Creek Schools in Knoxville Tennessee. There are 24 smiling faces who would love to greet you with open arms. Additionally, you expertise and wisdom would be greatly appreciated and I feel that it is something that we would all benefit from.
Until next time,
Miss Johnson
How Kozol Influenced Me Personally
Dear Mr. Kozol,
As a part of my pre-service teaching I am taking a class centered on the foundations of education. For apart of this class we are reading Letters To A Young Teacher. I have began to view this more as a professional development read. As I have read through yours and Francesca’s correspondences I have grown to find an appreciation for your relationship. Through out reading this book I too have learned so much about the rollercoaster ride of being a first year teacher. Many of these topics you two discussed are struggles that I never considered prior to this read.
As I have read about Francesca’s struggles with being a first year teacher I have considered how I would view the situation, your advice and experiences, and taken it all into consideration to form my own personal methods. Through this book I have not only considered new situations that I will encounter as a teacher I have also developed a deeper understanding of the fundamentals that can occur within the classroom. Through Letters To A Young Teacher I grew to understand that teachers foster the happiness within the classroom, and this is something teachers should not loose sight of. I would like to thank you personally for sharing your advice with not only Franchesca, but all educators. I have grown as a pre-service teacher through reading all about these experiences.
Thank you once again,
Miss Johnson
As a part of my pre-service teaching I am taking a class centered on the foundations of education. For apart of this class we are reading Letters To A Young Teacher. I have began to view this more as a professional development read. As I have read through yours and Francesca’s correspondences I have grown to find an appreciation for your relationship. Through out reading this book I too have learned so much about the rollercoaster ride of being a first year teacher. Many of these topics you two discussed are struggles that I never considered prior to this read.As I have read about Francesca’s struggles with being a first year teacher I have considered how I would view the situation, your advice and experiences, and taken it all into consideration to form my own personal methods. Through this book I have not only considered new situations that I will encounter as a teacher I have also developed a deeper understanding of the fundamentals that can occur within the classroom. Through Letters To A Young Teacher I grew to understand that teachers foster the happiness within the classroom, and this is something teachers should not loose sight of. I would like to thank you personally for sharing your advice with not only Franchesca, but all educators. I have grown as a pre-service teacher through reading all about these experiences.
Thank you once again,
Miss Johnson
My Favorite Chapter
While reading Letters To A Young Teacher there are several chapters that stood out to me, but a particular favorite was chapter nine. This chapter holds the element that I feel college does not prepare you for. Within the chapter Mr. Kozol talks about a question he had been pondering on from Franchesca, in response to her question he references a prior experience. Although he admits from the start that what mature, or necessarily professional. Although, this is what I find to be realistic scenario. There are always days that will getting the students attention is challenging and seems near impossible, all your daily routines and tricks are not cutting it to get the students attention. I am sure we are all thinking about that time in-between Thanksgiving and Christmas when the students are ready for a break. At this moment in time Mrs. Gamble took a risk with her students, she preformed an impromptu dance, filing the students with gracious amusement. Instantly regaining all of her students attention. This is only one scenario example, but in teacher there are several things that you cannot teach or read from a book about. You have to act within the moment. That moment is where you can make or break your teaching potential, it is all within how you respond to the scenario. These are the moments that I love within the the book. These times that I am inspired by the advice that Mr. Kozol gives. Advice like this is the advice that I plan to take with me and apply within my own classroom practices! Scenario & Classroom Visit Letter
Dear Mr. Kozol,
First I would like to thank you for taking the time to visit our classroom. The kids talked about you for days and are constantly asking when you will be back again. Recently within the classroom I have been struggling to not “teach the test”. I am constantly in meetings learning about the standards and how to best prepare the students for the text, but at the end of the day how do I separate myself from teaching the test? I am struggling to loose sight as I constantly design lesson plans, but then question if I am truly teaching the lesson in the best way for the students to grasp the standard being taught. Once a week after school we have a team meeting where for two hours we talk about standardized testing. In addition to these meetings we have one day a month where we are pulled from the schools to attend a professional development day that are generally centered on standardized testing. I feel like I am continuously investing my time into learning about standardized testing, but at the end then of the day they preach not to teach the test.
I find this to be a vicious cycle that as a new teacher I am struggling to loose sight of the best thing to do. I know that these are ever changing times and that standards are taking over in the classroom, but how do I find the middle ground and avoid teaching the test to my students? These are all questions and concerns that I would love to hear back from you about. Even better if you could join our class once again to give insight on what to do within the classroom to avoid teaching the test. I would greatly appreciate your time and consideration. I am looking forward to hearing back from you.
Best,
Miss Johnson
First I would like to thank you for taking the time to visit our classroom. The kids talked about you for days and are constantly asking when you will be back again. Recently within the classroom I have been struggling to not “teach the test”. I am constantly in meetings learning about the standards and how to best prepare the students for the text, but at the end of the day how do I separate myself from teaching the test? I am struggling to loose sight as I constantly design lesson plans, but then question if I am truly teaching the lesson in the best way for the students to grasp the standard being taught. Once a week after school we have a team meeting where for two hours we talk about standardized testing. In addition to these meetings we have one day a month where we are pulled from the schools to attend a professional development day that are generally centered on standardized testing. I feel like I am continuously investing my time into learning about standardized testing, but at the end then of the day they preach not to teach the test.I find this to be a vicious cycle that as a new teacher I am struggling to loose sight of the best thing to do. I know that these are ever changing times and that standards are taking over in the classroom, but how do I find the middle ground and avoid teaching the test to my students? These are all questions and concerns that I would love to hear back from you about. Even better if you could join our class once again to give insight on what to do within the classroom to avoid teaching the test. I would greatly appreciate your time and consideration. I am looking forward to hearing back from you.
Best,
Miss Johnson
Brooklyn - have you thought about who you would correspond with yourself in the future? Do you have a sounding board - what is it about the letter writing you find to be worthwhile and valuable?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, before this book I never thought out who I would correspond with. Although there are several points where Kozol came back to this importance several times. Since he kept going back to this point I thought about it in relation to myself since it is obviously essential. Speaking for me personally there are three professors at Ball State who I will undoubtedly keep in contact as resources and also for their expertise. My parents are also both teachers and I talk with them regularly about my expereienes and reflect over the lessons I taught. Kozol talks about the importance of not making connections with just your colleagues that were your age, but also the older staff. The older staff has more experiences that you should seek, not just your colleagues that are your own age.What is a sounding board? I have never heard of this term before.
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