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The constancy of self-reflection and professional growth—in various forms
We dug into the archives to find tidbits from previous issues of the ATA Magazine that are worth another look, either because of their relevance today, or as a reminder of how far we’ve come. You decide.
Can you match the following excerpts with the year that they were originally published? The years you have to work with are 1920, 1939, 1987 and 2012.
1. Daily challenge
Our daily challenge—or opportunity—should be to reflect on where we were, where we are and where we are headed. Someone once said: “Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” I find this statement becomes truer with each passing day. Our world is changing rapidly, but for students, today is their reality, and we are the key to helping them (re)discover who they are and where and how they fit into the world.
Your guess:
2. Book club
Professionalism also demands that we better ourselves academically. We find that the sub-local will again answer our demand. It can be made a book-review club or an open forum for discussion of classroom problems. The free interchange of opinions and advice cannot help but be of value. It gives an opportunity for self help. Past-president LaZerte’s course in the psychology and supervision of reading will be of great assistance in this aspect of sub-local work.
Your guess:
3. The elusive PUMPSI
Lean, hungry PUMPSI (Pedagogic Upwardly Mobile Promotion-Seeking Individual) professionals look the desired part in greys, charcoals and dark blues. Stick with the civil servant look, but don't overdo it: you are not in mourning. Your car should be like-wise conservative. No Porsches or Mercedes (too intimidating) and no bottom-of-the-line domestics, either. Try midsize Chevs or Pontiacs—just the ticket—nothing too presumptuous. Just a reminder: Hollywood mufflers, roadrunner horns and Boeing-type air scoops on the hood are definitely out. So are exotic paint jobs displaying Mad Max/Rambo/Conan themes. Get the idea? Good.
Your guess:
4. Professional spirit
The exodus of teachers from our cities who are taking summer courses or post-graduate work at educational institutions in eastern Canada or in the United States augurs well for a revived professional spirit. It also shows clearly enough that most teachers are willing to enlarge their professional or academic attainments if they can find the means to do so.
Your guess:
