Learning Matters, a non-profit production company focused on education reporting, has launched a new blog by and for teachers called Why I Teach. Learning Matters “invites classroom teachers to share what brought them to the teaching profession—and what keeps them there.” The first blog entry was an essay written by Esther Wojcicki, Learning Matters’ Board Chair who is a veteran English and journalism teacher in California.
Teachers are invited to submit their 300-500 word essays by submitting them to Learning Matters. The guidelines for submissions focus on telling the full story of one’s career—
1. How long have you been teaching?
2. How were you trained? Ed school or another method?
3. Why did you initially want to be a teacher?
4. Did you have a particular teacher in your life that inspired you?
5. What was your first day ever in front of a classroom like?
6. How has your approach changed over time?
7. What do you expect from your students?
8. What do you expect from your administration?
9. Have you ever considered doing something else career-wise, and if so, what?
10. What makes an effective teacher?
11. What makes a great teacher?
12. What advice would you give to a brand-new teacher?
Teachers who wish to submit essays should also include a short bio and a photo to include with the essay if selected to appear on the blog.
To learn more and keep up with Why I Teach, please visit http://whyiteach.learningmatters.tv/
