Can Educators Learn from Martyrs?: An Example of Four and the Lessons They Taught Us
By Ken Messersmith
8/23/07
My summer-reading list included the autobiographies of Mohandas Gandhi and Malcolm X, as well as a book about John F. and Robert Kennedy called Brothers, by David Talbot. Part of my motivation for reading these books came from a desire to understand the process of social change and how, perhaps, that process can help us change schools.
It is clear from reading these books that all these men had the remarkable ability, motivation, and energy to bring about change. Each had a clear vision of what they wanted to do, and each was skilled in getting others to follow.
Each used distinct methods to move toward his goal. Gandhi’s methods were unorthodox and required passive resistance. The Kennedy brothers tried to work from within the system. Malcolm X clearly advocated action but did not have the same access to tools within the system as the others.
Not one of these men was completely successful in bringing about the changes he desired -- but each achieved some level of success. I would have to argue that Gandhi was the most successful in his efforts. He played a key role in India’s struggle to break the bonds of colonialism. Malcolm X and the Kennedys were less successful in part because they had a shorter time frame in which to make an impact -- each man was destroyed by resistant forces before he could fully implement his changes.
What can we learn from the lives of these men and their methods for changing the thought process of society? Can we apply their methods to bring forth changes in our schools? I’m interested in your thoughts on this topic.
Teachers as Martyrs
Ken,
I was a teenager when John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King were making history. Gandhi was before my time but I have read the works of these great men and used their lives as an example to my students. I think that they made a difference because society was ready for a change. They came along at the right time.
In education many people believe that there is no need for a change. As educators we see first hand what is needed to help our students. In a perfect world every child would have a computer. Teachers would all be NBPTS certified and every child's needs would be examined and individually planned for but our world is not perfect.
I use the example of each of these men when I teach my students. I tell them about the impact of each of these great men and I stress how important the students' contributions will be to society but until society becomes aware of the need for change it will be slow to happen.
Teachers as Martyrs
Many educators do not see a need to change themselves, much less society. I have been out of the classroom for 20+ years and have recently begun teaching again. Many of my colleagues are astounded that I am beginning a Master's degree in Literacy and Reading at my age (53). I feel it is my obligation to my students to continue my education and find new and better ways of teaching. It is imperative that teachers change as their students and society change.
Our world certainly is not perfect, nor are we as teachers; however, doing nothing differently will produce no change at all.
Teachers as Martyrs
I am responding to Connie. Connie! I am 60 years old and I am getting my 6th year online! I was out of the classroom for 21 years and came back at the same age you did. I will be doing this forever. So I agree with you that we should keep learning and changing with the world.
Good for you !
I think that is excellent that you care enough about your students success to continue your education to in turn, better them.
I have only been teaching for 4 years, but I've noticed that some of my older collegues continue to teach the same way they did 30 years ago, and whether we like it or not, we are not dealing with the same breed of students that one may have had 30 years ago, or even 10 years ago for that matter!
There are certain moral values that I believe should never change, but as times change people change, and part of being an effective teacher is recognizing such.
Older Teachers
Connie,
I am 54 years old. I have been teaching for 31 years and last year I went out for the National Boards. I took college courses to prepare me for one incredible year of professional growth and my colleagues were proud but amazed. Most are looking forward to retirement and I am looking forward to a masters in reading (I have a masters in special ed.) and a doctorate in the future. I believe there are teachers and their are people who teach. I am a professional and so are you. We have to let our colleagues work towards retirement.
I was interested in the title of this discussion so I decided to check it out. While all these people were well before my time, I believe it is important to teach the students of America that they are the future of the world and that they can in fact make a difference. I too have used examples of strong leaders both political as well as business leaders who have made a world of difference in the world around them.
My list consist of U-2, Bill Gates, Princess Diana, Mother Theresa, and even the works of former presidents Clinton and Bush following the horrific Tsunami that hit Asia. In addition to that I have used shows such as Extreme Makeover.
While I use these examples in my school, I tell my student that they too can make a difference in the world in around them, as long as they become involved.
Teachers as Martyrs
I love your reading list. I do a Hero project with my tenth graders every year that is similar. It is a research paper based on an international hero. The list changes but at least twenty of the same people are always on it. The students really figure out what are the character traits that heros have in common and come up with a defination for a hero. This is a research paper and oral presentation so they research their assigned hero and share this information with the class.
I have found that my students learn a lot form this project and I always do.
Teachers as Martyrs
Connie, I am inspired by you. I recently encouraged one of my friends who was certain that she was too old to go back to school for her Master's to do so. Guess what? she just started her Master's in Literacy and Reading like you. I don't think it is over until we are all pushing up the dasies. I don't think we ever stop learning.
Teachers as Martyrs
I have been inspired by the works of the people mentioned in your article as well as the Dali Lama and the Tibetan culture as a whole. I was hooked as soon as I found out that Tibet was once a fierce warring culture and then, almost overnight, became peaceful.
What I would like to add to this conversation is a practical, down to earth perspective. There are people who do great things on a grand scale and do them in the public eye and then there are people who quietly do great things on a small scale. I believe teachers do great things on a small scale. Maybe no one will notice except for the people directly affected by the great thing that was done for them. I am fine with that. That really works for me! I do not want to be in the public eye. But maybe I am doing great things in the life of a person who will grow up to do great things on a grand scale!
Teachers and Martyrs
Although the individuals mentioned in your reading list lived and died before I was born, I know a little about the impact they had in the world. What we can learn from these individuals is that no matter what or where you come from, you can make a difference. As we compare the times of those individuals to current times, its very hard to say whether their methods would be appropriate now. Since change is constant, we must constantly find new ways to make changes in our schools, that will benefit the students, staff, and administration. Social changes affects us all in some shape or form. Although Malcolm, Mohandas, John and Robert had their separate views on the world, their views on social change and equality were the same.