Will You Terrill Story...? (The Vow)

Instructor asks...
Will you Mr. Terrill Story, take this student (and every student in the future) to be your lawful wedded student, to teach reading in the content area you have so chosen, or will chose in the future, to create an atmosphere where the student first feels accepted for who he/she is currently, a place where the student feels safe to explore who they want to become, a place where mistakes can be made and learn from them, a place where you are open to discovering new things, even if they are not on the agenda for the day, a place where you can be vulnerable and realize that even adults don't have all the answers and are still learning, a place to celebrate and grow in life and the educational process?

If you so accept this challenge, answer by saying, "I do."

Terrill says...
I DO!
______________________________________________

I have thoroughly enjoyed this class and the challenges tossed my way. I was apprehensive in the beginning, because like most people, I don't have room for one more thing on my plate. I like to eat when I am at the table, so a full plate is common for me. The "virtual" part of this class has allowed me the ability to fit it into my schedule no matter where I was located, hence at one point I was in Kansas, Colorado, and at the hospital with my son (but chose not to log in - thanks Dr. Steffes). There are some really great tools that were added to my toolbox from this class. Dr. Steffes helped tremendously in utilizing those during our class time. I am a visual and hands on learner, so as we reflected on the content in our reading material, and she applied it to the actual classroom (even virtually) it helped solidify several of the things I hope to implement as I am given the great opportunity to help encourage and educate the current and future students coming my way. I already love to read and my three children are readers. Hopefully that's one thing as a parent I did correctly. I read to them a lot! The day each of them individually chose to read the book "by themselves" was a great celebration - because they could do it, but also a sad day for me - because I loved reading to them. My heart is warmed when one of them will refer back to a series of books, or a specific book that we have read together. The BFG is one of those we read, and my daughter recently discoverd that they are making a movie out of it. She said, "Dad, remember when you read those to me? We have to go see the movie together!" (OF COURSE I SAID YES!) I realize however, that every child has not been read to, or like reading. Every child has not had a good experience with books or education. There are many reasons for that. (a different blog) We are then left with the challenge to work around or through that reading content with them. We have to discover how to "awaken" their minds to "engage" in the process, while also keeping the "readers" alive. This course Teaching Reading has helped me discover a few things to hopefully crack open a tiny little space that will open up for some new ideas or concepts to seep into that lovely soul.

Thanks for walking this journey with me. Blessings to your journey!

-Terrill