Being educated about edcuating

Exploration Two:

Each question that I uncover an answer raises a different perspective and more questions. It remains true that English Educators are a difficult lot to pin down. I did have the opportunity to watch them at a workshop though! My observation that they range from Gypsies to Stuffed Suits remains the same. What surprised me was how cliquish they are.
It was a formal luncheon and everyone was kept firmly in their place. Each round table was covered in white table cloths, with generic centerpieces. The lines were proverbially drawn in the sand. It reminded me a lot of high school where the classes compete against one another in pep-rallies. Although they were more restrained then that; the tension was palpable. They were work shopping a new program that allows students to collaborate on pieces from the comfort of their own domiciles. It works on the web BUT has severe limitations and issues. I had to giggle because the whole workshop was about technology and the group was incredibly impaired! The room was not cooperating and they couldn’t get on-line. The instructor was a TECH Communications instructor that made a joke about it was a great job because she didn’t have to admit to being English major. WHY?
I’ve also heard guest lecturers in Dr. Payne’s class make disparaging remarks about being English Majors. Why? What is the shame in it? I don’t understand. English is the axis in which every other part of our society turns. Without a common language or the ability to break down other language hierarchies nothing works. Text books, user manuals, Medical Documentation, poems, novels, newspapers... Heck! Even movie screen plays have origins in English. Why then do they make those remarks?
I’ve also unburied a cool truth. There are a growing number of truly gifted English Educators out there. The disgruntled educators that felt safe in tenured positions—are discovering they aren’t. School Districts test scores, and Parents are demanding the best for their buck. It gives me hope that this trend of cookie cutter education is going to be reigned back in.

I am still searching for answers to successful teacher’s personal philosophies and practices. I am excited to be digging and searching.