"Touro University California is a university under Jewish auspices founded upon the universal values of commitment to social justice, intellectual pursuit, and service to humanity. As such, Touro University California is dedicated to the following:
Consider how the work you have done during this program fits within Touro’s values and how you are going to take what you have done into the world to make a change. Will you share your work with your principal or colleagues? Will you post about it on twitter? Or will your focus be making a change within your classroom or something else? What practical thing will you do to be of service?" Touro University is special to because it has strong ties to Chabad. I call the Chabad of Solano County my spiritual home. My rabbi and his wife have been an amazing source of encouragement as I traveled on this journey to expand my own education and strengthen my skills as an educator. I don't have enough words to express how much I appreciate their friendship and support. I am committed to adhering to the Jewish values set so long ago by Touro not out of obligation but because, if you read them carefully, you realize that the values are the framework for an ethical and conscientious attitude toward teaching. Educators should "respect the value and dignity" of all students, teachers, parents, staff and administrators. In the melting pots that our classrooms have become, we should "accept and appreciate diversity." We should put our students first, since they are the future. We should strive for authentic collaboration with other educators; learning and sharing with each other in the pursuit of fulfilling goals that benefit all students. Will I share what I've learned with my colleagues? Of course! Like Ms. Jona Sandau has exclaimed for the world to hear, "It does take a village!" There is no such thing as an individual Superteacher. One link does not hold up the bridge. It takes all of us, working together, to tackle any challenge that rears its intimidating legs up at us. I don't plan to stop reiterating the importance of explicit writing instruction. People may label me "The Crazy Writing Lady," but I will continue to educate myself and teach others what I learn. You will find me in conferences, classrooms, online and on panels advocating for better writing instruction in schools. I'll start my mission within my own classroom. Ironically, during my research, I found several articles claiming that the art of writing was dying. Soon emojis and gifs would eliminate the need for text-rich compositions. I plan to prove them indisputably wrong.
2 Comments
Brandon DeJesus
7/9/2019 09:17:03 pm
Tess, this was such a beautifully written blog. "if you read them carefully, you realize that the values are the framework for an ethical and conscientious attitude toward teaching." Could not has summarized my feelings more accurately. You really captured the essence of the values that Touro highlights and framed them in a way that really connects to the job we do!
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Tess
7/9/2019 10:41:43 pm
Coming from you, that means a lot. Thank you, my friend, for your encouraging words.
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Tess Giner
This is my 25th year as a public school teacher. I've taught every grade between Kindergarten and 12th grade. I hope to encourage my students to love writing and reading as much as I do. Archives
July 2019
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