tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939909775405220345.post8410251575899511633..comments2024-03-01T10:16:11.283-08:00Comments on AmericanStudies: February 14, 2014: I Love My JobAmericanStudierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483077716534996778noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939909775405220345.post-72078855861336205872014-02-14T10:42:25.074-08:002014-02-14T10:42:25.074-08:00"Another thing I love about this job is that ..."Another thing I love about this job is that it provides, indeed requires, constant opportunities for reinvention and growth." - Ben Railton<br /><br />See, Ben? There you go - again - talking about people 'reinventing' themselves - like WEB Du Bois used to do in his work. <br />I've been trying, but I'm still not exactly sure what that means reinventing one's self...must be one of those 'learn while doing' kinds of lessons in life.<br /><br />Keep me posted.<br /><br />Roland A. Gibson, Jr.<br />FSU IDIS MajorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939909775405220345.post-73315311281084275992014-02-14T10:33:52.604-08:002014-02-14T10:33:52.604-08:00Well said, Roland!Well said, Roland!AmericanStudierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06483077716534996778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939909775405220345.post-64445910433853833652014-02-14T10:30:51.402-08:002014-02-14T10:30:51.402-08:00Wow...Isn't the internet great?
I wanted to s...Wow...Isn't the internet great?<br /><br />I wanted to send out a special valentine's dedication to my dad - also a teacher like you. <br /><br />Real men can talk about their love for their fathers, too... can't they?<br /><br />Happy Valentine's Day, to one and all :)<br /><br />Roland A. Gibson, Jr.<br />FSU IDIS Major<br />------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Dan Fogelberg – Leader Of The Band Lyrics<br /><br />An only child <br />Alone and wild <br />A cabinet maker's son <br />His hands were meant <br />For different work <br />And his heart was known to none <br /><br />He left his home <br />And went his lone <br />And solitary way <br />And he gave to me <br />A gift I know I never can repay <br /><br />A quiet man of music <br />Denied a simpler fate <br />He tried to be a soldier once <br />But his music wouldn't wait <br />He earned his love <br />Through discipline <br />A thundering, velvet hand <br />His gentle means of sculpting souls <br />Took me years to understand <br /><br />(Chorus) <br />The leader of the band is tired <br />And his eyes are growing old <br />But his blood runs through my instrument <br />And his song is in my soul <br />My life has been a poor attempt <br />To imitate the man <br />I'm just a living legacy <br />To the leader of the band <br /><br />My brothers' lives were different <br />For they heard another call <br />One went to Chicago <br />And the other to St. Paul <br />And I'm in Colorado <br />When I'm not in some hotel <br />Living out this life I've chose <br />And come to know so well <br /><br />Music break <br /><br />I thank you for the music <br />And your stories of the road <br />I thank you for the freedom <br />When it came my time to go <br />I thank you for the kindness <br />And the times when you got tough <br />And, papa, I don't think I <br />Said 'I love you' near enough <br /><br />(Chorus) <br /><br />I am a living legacy to the leader of the band<br />-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939909775405220345.post-30605119369864738672014-02-14T06:02:38.063-08:002014-02-14T06:02:38.063-08:00Thanks for this wonderful comment!Thanks for this wonderful comment!AmericanStudierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06483077716534996778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939909775405220345.post-72980066595922409502014-02-14T04:51:47.583-08:002014-02-14T04:51:47.583-08:00There's probably no profession on the planet t...There's probably no profession on the planet that you can love as truly as teaching (in your case, professing? I kid). Yet daily I am told by the news media, by my state and federal government, and even by ill-informed friends on facebook that I and my ilk are well meaning but utterly defunct bureaucrats who take money to do little more than babysit. While I have to listen to the attacks, jump through the hoops and block idiots I am able to go into a job everyday with people whom I genuinely love, and love me back.<br />Two weeks ago a student called me "mom". Now that wasn't the first time. Since I'm one of the more progressive teachers at my school I tend to attract all of the scholars of color at my school (my guidance department tracks, and unfortunately race is a tracking factor, I love that even 60 years after desegregation of schools there is still segregation, but what can I do other than teach to the best of my ability). The black student have always called me mom, which is a sign of respect and frankly I love it. But this student was different she actually forgot that she wasn't talking to her mother for a full two seconds. When she realized it she apologized and I told her it was okay and the class had a good laugh. But I've been realizing slowly over the last two weeks that I made a huge mistake not putting children into my life. That girl is the perfect example of a daughter, she lovely, kind, funny, pretends to be a werewolf (hey, do it!), and is hard working. She's probably also tempermental, prone to laziness and won't pick up after herself, but that's just my point, I will never know.<br />As a teacher I only get to see the good because I put on these glasses every morning that help me see the beauty and loveliness in each of my students. I see them as wonderful, unique, funny, challenged kids who desperately want to know that the adults in the building love and value them. So while I may never get to be a mother, I get to be a teacher which is probably better (got to keep my figure, which is finally down to a double zero, thank you very much!)<br />We can take risks, make connections and interact with people in a manner that no other profession offers. And that once in a lifetime event of being "mom" for even two seconds makes all the Fox News attacks worth it.<br />Thanks for always being an inspiration to the teachers in your classroom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com