Letter to Hirsch

Dear Mr. Hirsch,
I am writing this letter in response to some of your educational theories that I read. First of all, I want to commend you on taking the time to research cultural literacy and it's effect on our economy. It seems truly interesting to see if there is a direct correlation and I do believe that there is. I do however, disagree with some of your theories on these educational issues. I do believe as you say that the more literate we are as a society, the better off we will be economically. It's the process of how we achieve literacy and learn meanings of words that I disagree with. I believe that there is not one universal method of how to teach and how to learn. People are diverse and as a result have different learning styles. Some people can memorize words and retain as you say "brute knowledge", but others will try to make meaning and associations with the word in order to retain it. Furthermore, it is not just the job of the teacher to give knowledge solely to the students in my opinion. I know we have standarized tests to pass and this is what our schools are judged on, but we must not forget that are jobs should also include how to help students socially and be productive members of society. I think that if we are just going to learn like robots, we are not going to produce many productive individuals. Students must receive a well rounded education in my opinion and must not rely solely on learning facts that can help them pass standarized tests. The truth is that in education today, the students are actually learning more facts but just through better and more creative/ progressive methods. We are better off as teachers trying to make the knowledge whe want to pass to our students meaningful. Rote learning is often accompanied by forgetting the information 1 hour after the student has taken the test. The truth is that there was no real connection to the information made so it truly is harder to retain this type of rote information. Mr. Hirsch, I think that you are truly innovative in education today, but I hope I can get you to consider other options when approaching these subjects. Thanks for your time!

Sincerely,
Michael Menditto

standards

Looking at the State standards, I realize that there is a need for them. I think that the state standards give a guide for teachers to plan their lessons and assess their results. It is important for teachers to know what levels of proficiency the state has deemed necessary for each core standard. It is also important for teachers to differentiate their lessons and assess their students using multiple intelligences. Quite often teachers have a certain style of teaching. If they are to follow these standards, they can create a well rounded style, and in turn give students a more comprehensive education.
I would be the first to admit that any good teacher will end up meeting these standards without even knowing them. However, after teaching for 13 years and I can honestly say that is more idealistic for most teachers. Whether you are a novice or expert teacher, you still need to tailor your lessons appropriately to state regulations. I think that these standards give you that ability to build them in to each lesson. In my case, the textbook I use for my class labels the standards that each chapter and lesson incorporates. This is also very helpful because we are mandated to include the core standards into each of our weekly lesson plans. I believe that in my case I am so used to using them on a weekly basis that I would not want to do without them. I will say though at first, I did not believe I needed to use them and was very close-minded. i am glad that I adjusted my thinking and accepted these standards because they are not going away.

This I Believe:

Philosophy: This I believe that all educators have the power to help mold the youth of this nation.

This I Believe:
1. That we must unlearn many aspects of how we approach education.
2. That we must make an effort to use time more wisely in education.
3. That we have control over many things in education.
We have control over the way we prepare our lessons, the way in which we communicate our lessons, the intensity at how we teach.
4. That there are many factors that we have no control over such as IEP's, Core Content Areas, Core Content Curriculum Standards, and state testing.
5. That we must approach each day as a new beginning and passion for our jobs as educators.

Hello All Curriculum Classmates!

Hi my name is Mike Menditto and I am a graduate student in the Educational Leadership Program at Montclair State University. I am currently a teacher and coach at Emerson Jr. Sr. High School in Bergen County. I am from Emerson, NJ and have the pleasure of teaching where I went to High School myself. Other than teaching, I enjoy sports, fitness, food, movies, and socializing with friends. My family is the most important aspect of my life. I have a wonderful mother and father, along with my older brother Rob and younger sister Stephanie. My sister lives in South Jersey and my brother lives in Texas.
My ultimate career goal is to someday be a Superintendent of a school district. I will of course look forward to climbing the leadership ladder starting as a Supervisor or Vice Principal. I am taking this course as a requirement to finish my master's degree and graduate in the spring '09 semester. This course seems very interesting as well as fun. I am looking forward to working with all of you throughout this course.