Thinking and Teaching With Purpose

Since the early 20th century, one reason that many students attend educational institutions has changed from a desire for knowledge and the power that comes with it to, simply, because they have to be there. In “Education: The Great Obsession”, author Grace Lee Boggs argues that the purpose of public education needs to change if we are going to inspire and educate kids, particularly those who have been marginalized. Boggs brings forth the idea that there are ‘winners’ and ‘losers’, and that whichever one you are is based on such factors as race and socio-economic status.  She says that, in order to keep the ‘losers’ in line, “…the myths of education as the magic weapon to open all doors, particularly the door to higher earnings and unlimited consumption…have been propagated”.  In other words, American students are told that in order to make something of their lives, they must stay in school.  To unpack this idea, it’s important to consider the social implications of such a system.

Welcome to my blog! My name is Ally and I am a seventh-grade teacher of English Language Arts in Massachusetts.  I am heading into my fourth year of teaching while simultaneously pursuing a M.Ed. in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning.  Since completing my bachelor's degree I have been looking forward to returning to school as a student, and cannot wait to see how I grow as an educator in this program. When I'm not teaching or planning lessons, I enjoy spending time in the gym or outdoors.  Creating a well-balanced lifestyle has always been a goal of mine, so I strive to stay both physically and mentally fit.  I also like to bake and try new recipes, to the benefit of my friends and family. Of course, as I am a millennial, my Netflix account also gets plenty of use. There's nothing like an episode of The Office after a long day of teaching. I believe that as a teacher it is important to have a sense of humor but to also be thoughtful.  I look forward to sharing my t