Reflections - Death/Life, Education, Reading

This blog is going to be comprised of me rambling about certain things that I have been thinking about lately. I decided to talk about three different things, even though there is a lot floating around up there. During my commutes, I have plenty of time to think and I sometimes turn off the radio and let my mind wander.

I was thinking about those movies and shows where people have been told they only have a certain amount of time to live. Why is it that everyone is so self-centered when they find out they will only be on the earth for a little while longer? Shouldn't that be a time to think about mending relationships, telling others about your faith, and just being recklessly compassionate towards others? It seems like every show I watch people decide to travel the world, buy lavish gifts for themselves, eat foods they have never had, do something reckless and exciting like bungee jumping, sky diving, etc. How many people do you see giving all their money to charity? What about people spending their remaining money to go overseas and help build schools, houses, or collect food for underprivileged children? I hope these thoughts will at least cross some people's minds if this ever happens to them.

I've been also thinking about gender issues in Elementary Education. You hear about these behavior problems and talk about teachers acting as parents during the school-days toward these children. If teachers are supposed to act like parents, where are the fathers in schools? Who is going to show these young boys how to act like men? Who is going to protect those young girls from making mistakes with the stupid boys? Yes, women have been doing a wonderful job in the teaching profession. It is important to have a nurturer during this time of development so that the self-esteem and person worth is understood and valued. Yet what is it saying to our young boys if they don't see any men teaching in their schools? There are some men, but overall the statistic is startling. Males comprise about 16% of elementary teachers (Strizek, Pittsonberger, Riordon, Lyter, & Orlofsky, 2006). Does anyone else find that peculiar?

Finally, I've been thinking about my thoughts and attitudes toward reading. I remember growing up always seeing a book in my sister's hand. My mom and my dad would sit at the table or chair and be reading. They would tell me to read a book and I would always say, "No, I'll just go watch T.V." It really wasn't until Junior High when I discovered Louis L'amour and the Left Behind Series that I become interested in reading. Since then, I have found and read books that have really made me think and have brought me new perspectives on issues. It has also helped to improve my vocabulary as well as writing. It makes me sad when I hear of future or current teachers that say they do not like to read. I can't comprehend why you would want to be a teacher (especially at the Grade-school level) if you don't like to read. Isn't that like the main thing we are trying to teach them? I think reading is amazing because it's like a movie going on in your head and you can revisit it any time you want. Good books will stay with you...especially when you're young. I re-read several children's books this past semester that I remember reading in gradeschool, and they are so much more meaningful now. Dr. Seuss for instance is way more profound than I ever thought.

Those are some of my ramblings. I hope you have a great rest of the week!