I've been thinking about this blog for the last couple of weeks. It's been sitting here, devoid of words, since I created it about two years ago. My original intent was to have a venue where I could share ideas with my teacher friends from Russia (so many of them!). Eventually, I hoped that these ideas would become the foundation for an article for a scholarly journal about methodology and pedagogy.
Now, I'm thinking that this is the place to collect snapshots of daily life as a teacher in both the US and in Russia. My friends work hard; most of them teach private English lessons in addition to their many duties as English teachers at schools in Russia, in both large cities like Kaluga and Voronezh, and small communities like Betlitsa and Hoholski, as well as spaces in between, like Ivanova. My hope is that we can record (in words and with photos and images of student work) what makes thrilled to be teachers, what overwhelms us, as well as what excites and frightens us. In short, we can discuss what it means to be a teacher today. Insights should be offered, tips can be shared. Reflection should be an essential component, too; after all, our past definitely shapes who we are today and in Russia, many of the women I know lived half their lives under the Soviet regime and the other half in a country slowly adapting to democracy.
Late August and September are ideal times to begin such an enterprise. We all feel that eagerness and optimism that a new school year brings. We are tanned, rested, and ready -- this is an American expression -- and poised to tackle a new year. Let's do it! Davai!
Now, I'm thinking that this is the place to collect snapshots of daily life as a teacher in both the US and in Russia. My friends work hard; most of them teach private English lessons in addition to their many duties as English teachers at schools in Russia, in both large cities like Kaluga and Voronezh, and small communities like Betlitsa and Hoholski, as well as spaces in between, like Ivanova. My hope is that we can record (in words and with photos and images of student work) what makes thrilled to be teachers, what overwhelms us, as well as what excites and frightens us. In short, we can discuss what it means to be a teacher today. Insights should be offered, tips can be shared. Reflection should be an essential component, too; after all, our past definitely shapes who we are today and in Russia, many of the women I know lived half their lives under the Soviet regime and the other half in a country slowly adapting to democracy.
Late August and September are ideal times to begin such an enterprise. We all feel that eagerness and optimism that a new school year brings. We are tanned, rested, and ready -- this is an American expression -- and poised to tackle a new year. Let's do it! Davai!
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