Once a Teacher…..

     Once upon a time, many years ago, I was a teacher.   I went on maternity leave after my first was born with the idea that at some point I would return to the classroom.   Two years later, I had another child and the idea of going back to work was put on the back burner.  I finally realized that as an older mom, with some past medical issues, I just didn’t have the energy to pull off the demands of teaching and raising my 2 girls.  Fortunately my husband’s income is enough for us to live on.   I have volunteered in the elementary school for the past few years, but there has always the gnawing feeling of wanting to do more.  I toyed with the various ways I could volunteer in the community, and finally decided on the best fit for me.  I have become a Literacy Volunteer.

     I was a high school science teacher, but reading is a whole new subject.  I have finished the training and am only beginning this new experience.   What is enjoyable is realizing that all the training and skill I acquired during my working days has risen to the surface.   It has been there all along, lying dormant, waiting for an opportunity.  The planning of a lesson, and deciding on what methods to use, has awoken all the abilities I possessed as a classroom teacher.  It has been a reminder of why I became a teacher in the first place.   It was always to help individuals realize their true potential and to guide them towards a productive future.

     Confidentiality is required in the process.   I would never share personal information, so I will not be giving any specific updates.  My hope is that I can help people better theirs lives by improving their ability to read and write.   Those who dedicate their lives to teaching are not in it for the pay, the hours, awards, or recognition. They do it because they understand the value of an education and how it can better the lives of future generations.   They do it because they have compassion, patience, dedication, and revel in the joy of learning.   It doesn’t matter if the student load is 20, 100, or in my case 1.   An individual, who becomes a teacher, is a teacher for life. It is a vocation and calling that is more than just a job.  I have come to understand the reality of once you become a teacher, you will always be a teacher.  I am happy for the return.

Should Children Use an E-Reader?

Image by your neighborhood librarian via Flickr

Article first published as Should Children Use an E-Reader? on Technorati.

 Last week I went to Barnes and Noble.   As I approached the back of the store, I noticed a big display promoting The Nook for children.  For some reason, this didn’t sit well with me.  It’s not that I have anything against electronic readers.  I bought one for my husband on his birthday.  He often travels for work, and in the past has been at the mercy of the airport to find something to read.  With the Kindle, he can download books to read for long plane rides.  He can pack and carry it conveniently.   The difference is he is an adult.  For children, I believe actually holding a book with pages and pictures holds much more value.

When my older daughter was a baby, we had a number of board books in the house.  She would pick them up, look at the pictures, put them in her mouth, and asked to hear the same stories over and over.  We started going to the library when she was able to walk.  This opened up a whole new world of children’s authors.  Some became such favorites we read everything they wrote.  This would not have happened without the opportunity to browse the stacks. 

 My younger daughter has been going to the library from birth.  She too enjoyed the large picture books and had her favorites as well.  The library also had story hours which added to their enjoyment.  Thankfully both my girls are good readers, but I have to believe that this was caused by the love of those picture books.  Now at ages 9 and 7, the library is one of their favorite places.

Books don’t have to be expensive.  You can find them at library book fairs, thrift shops, tag sales, etc.  It is still special when child gets a new book.  It is satisfying to see them curled up on the couch reading.  It is something to hear them tell you what is happening in the latest chapter book they are enjoying. It is such an important skill and one that needs to be fostered.

I know kids love electronics.  In some cases an e-reader might encourage them to read more.  I am all for finding new ways to help children learn.  I just wonder why everything has to look like a game or be interactive.  I don’t think an electronic device will ever replace books for children, and I don’t think they should.