“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” (Marcus Garvey). History is in everything. Writing this paper is history. Everything we do becomes history. That’s why we all must learn our own history and origin. Without it we are all lost. There is so much history, just in America, it can’t be taught by one generation. There needs to be teachers of history in every generation. Making sure their peers know of ancient history and the history of yesterday. Teaching history is what I am meant to do. First, I have to be taught how to teach, acquire skills, and get experience before I can teach a class of my own. Becoming a history teacher is a process just like any career. Education is the first step in this process. I am choosing to further my education at Florida Gulf Coast University. I will be majoring in Secondary Education-History. This is to teach me how to teach history. I want to stay in Florida, so I only need my B.A. in Secondary Education. Getting your B.A. takes about 4 years. Although some schools do require you have your Masters too. On average, a Master’s degree takes about two more years. In today’s day and age, it is best you get your Master’s degree. “Start out more specific with your Bachelor’s, then go broader with your Master’s” (Dominic Pardi). Before I can even start learning about my specific subject, there are some general classes I have to take. I’ll need to pass six hours of Communication and Mathematics, six to nine hours of Social Sciences and Natural Science, and nine hours of Humanities. Florida Gulf Coast requires I have a total of 36 hours in the general classes. After I pass the General Classes, I start Prerequisites. The Prerequisites I’ll be ... ... middle of paper ... ... live comfortably on. When deciding my career, money is factor because I need money to live but being happy and doing something I will love is an even bigger factor. I’d much rather be happy and poor than rich and miserable. When I interviewed Dominic Pardi, a World History/ Economics high school teacher at Indian Rocks Christian School, I asked him, “If you could do all over again, what he do?” He said, “I would do exactly what I’m doing now.” When I asked “Why?” he responded, “Because I love what I do!” Every teacher I have ever talked to genuinely loves there job. I have always heard being a teacher is a very rewarding job; I want to feel that. I want to make a difference in someone’s life; make an impact and maybe one day a student of mine will realize they want to be a teacher because of what I taught them. Money or no money teaching is the perfect fit for me.
“Why Western History Matters” is an essay adapted from a speech Donald Kagan delivered to the National Association of Scholars, and was reprinted in the December 28, 1994, issue of the Wall Street Journal. Throughout Kagan’s essay, he describes the essential need for the college course, Western History. He does so by examining older cultures and explaining why they were quintessential to the past and to our future development as a society. I strongly concur with Kagan’s standpoint of the necessity of history, and the realization of how exactly our flourishing society came about. History is a key constituent in determining who we are; for to determine who we are one must first know from whence they came. In the words of George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.
What more is the point of learning and understanding human history than obtaining the knowledge and structure between what is right and what is wrong? We continuously believe that we as humans have the ability and intellect to learn from the lessons taught in our past in order to enrich our future. In comparison to the time frame that is human history the one hundred year period of time we discussed in the second halve of this semester is nothing but a slight blimp on the map that we have traversed. Yet, throughout our recent readings we can easily assimilate into the idea that although time may pass, and that we may attempt to learn from our history it is simply in human nature to repeat the mistakes that we have
Time persistently progresses forward unimpeded. With each elapsing second the present moment changes into the past and creates history. History is filled with a plethora of events, people, and concepts that have left an enduring influence. Society has developed many components which became foundational to Western culture from the Mesopotamian civilizations to the emergence of the Romans. The contributions of a variety of cultures shaped the course of Western history.
As students in this modern age many go blank if one asks, “who was our founding father?” This will shock many historians how students in this generation are not finding that History is an important part of our education. In schools we need to learn how Alexander Hamilton had written the federalist paper. When Vincent Van Gough committed suicide as he had painted many beautiful paintings or even being taught about World War II. Learning about the past is an essential aspect when growing up. So that when we grow older citizens of our nation will not let history repeat itself.
Zinn, H. (2007). Why Students Should Study History. In W. e. Au, Rethinking Our Classrooms, Volume 1 (pp. 179-181). Milwaukee: Rethinking Schools.
History is dedicated to those who went before us, so that, upon reflection, we can learn from them, without repeating their mistakes, experiencing or inflicting their pain. This quote, attributed to an anonymous source, showcases the deep understanding that all people should have. Without this direct insight, a generation will be ignorant to the hardships of their past, and will end up in a cycle of failure. This is why history is so vitally important to our society; because we must look back in order to keep moving forward. History should be studied because it is essential to individuals and to society, and because it harbors beauty (Stearns). It is not some meager thing to sit on a shelf and ignore, but a bountiful treasure trove of wisdom. Sadly, it seems that our generation has become so engulfed in the highlight of the here and now that we have neglected learning about our ancestors. Educators of history, whether it is American, European, or another, are the key to helping students progress not only as scholars of the field, but as worldly human beings. Without the proper knowledge and guidance, history repeats itself. How do history teachers shape students to educate them about the past and keep the mistakes of our predecessors from happening again?
It is often said that those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. It is true that technology has changed civilization and wars have shaped the earth, but, loosely speaking: the duties of man, the importance of knowledge and our morals are still almost the same as they were since the dawn of civilization. For the last 8,500 years man has harvested, learned and practiced righteousness. Yet, man is always progressive. We seek to find the most efficient means of working, learn as much as we can and search for what is meaning of “good”. Man has learned a lot from the past successes and past mistakes making written history possibly our greatest invention. What has happened in written history that we might have overlooked or forgotten? What can we see happening to our nation now that should be avoided due to past failures? And where have we progressed? Our time is compared to many times in history but in this paper we will compare it to Europe in the Middle Ages. How are the Middle Ages in Europe like the U.S. today and how is it different? How is this good and how is this bad?
It also could be that these teachers have more of an interest in U.S. history than world history. In either case, time and money are factors in getting prepared to teach world history. Many history teachers who are not well versed in non-U.S. history do not have the time, resources, or funding to educate themselves on world history. As far as the education of the educators goes, I do not think that the college curriculum has enough emphasis on world history, as in my own experience what is learned about world history is limited and very few courses are required in order to graduate and be qualified to teach a subject on such a large scope as world history. Funding is an additional problem as the Department of Education allocates much more to U.S. history than it does to world history, with the figure of $680 million for U.S. history professional development and nothing for world history.
Through my own experiences, and as enforced by others' opinions in the profession, I have found that teaching is one of the most rewarding careers. Not only are you placed in the position of instructing and guiding children and young adults through the life long learning process, but you are able to give back to the schools and communities which have supported your early education and experiences that opened you up to a bright future. In becoming an educator, I hope to someday share the knowledge and lend the helping, supportive hand that I was once given, allowing students to formulate their own perspectives of the multicultural society and world around them. Teaching is a career I have been interested in pursuing throughout high school, and as my experiences and study in the field expands, I feel that my desire to teach will grow stronger and develop more soundly.
Now that I have told you what has led me to this decision I would like to tell you exactly why I have chosen to become a teacher. I want to become a teacher not because of the salary nor because I want weekends and holidays off; rather, I want to become a teacher because I truly have a passion for making a difference in others lives. I feel that teaching is perhaps one of the most fulfilling roles in life. Becoming a teacher to me means helping to shape another person by teaching and instructing them.
When choosing one's profession, there are always two important questions to ask yourself. Is it what you love doing, and is the pay going to be enough to support you? For me, the second question has never had much of an impact on my decision, along with most others who are educators or wish to become one. Teaching is not a job that one chooses to be rewarded for by the pay. It is a job that is chosen for the rewarding feeling of knowing that it is the most effective, and most enjoyable way one can change the world; therefore, if teachers are noble enough to sacrifice such a huge aspect just to better our future generations, then don’t you think they should be paid what they deserve?
Though our history may bring back horrible memories of the ?grimmest dimensions of human nature? (Limerick 472), it is necessary to have a good historical background. History gives us the ability to improve future outputs, satisfy our unending need for knowledge, and understand how many policies and regulations have come to be. Without history mankind would be very primitive and ununified. Our complete molding of the world today is almost completely dependent on the fact that we study our history. Without history present day humans would be nothing more than cavemen.
The first main reason that I have chosen teaching as a profession is because I believe that it’s continuous rewards will help me to lead a happy and fulfilled life. For example, teaching young children is one of the few jobs in which you can give and receive hugs on a daily basis. Children have an innocence and a passion for knowledge that I find amazing and I do not feel complete unless I am around them. Teaching will help provide this fulfillment for me every day. Also, teaching is a job in which it is ok, and even encouraged, to laugh each and every day. I feel that this is important for a person’s well-being and I think that it helps to keep people young and alive. I feel that in many other professions the day-to-day routine would become monotonous and boring, and I do not think that I would live a truly happy and fulfilled life unless I could be around children. I feel that a classroom provides many unique and dynamic opportunities every single day and I find that very appealing. Also, I am a very relationship-oriented person and I feel that I will enjoy building unique relationships with each child. I plan on knowing every child as thoroughly as possible because I feel that this will help me to be better at my job.
Teaching is a daunting task that I do not intend to take lightly. Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine for several years. I always knew that teaching would be the career for me, especially when I began working in the school system as a substitute secretary. I loved working in the school environment; coming in contact with children everyday made me realize how much I would enjoy teaching a classroom full of students.
Future teachers will all have to reach a certain level of education and certification. Educational requirements can vary greatly depending on the state, but all states require completion of an approved teacher training program and a bachelor’s degree. Many states may require a minimal GPA and additional technology training including, a set number of education and subject credits. A small number of sates necessitate a master’s degree taking up to two years more of schooling than a bachelor’s degree. Other requirements could be student teaching which a lot of colleges offer. Usually for a semester student teachers will work beside an experienced teacher by observing and helping children in ...