-
Kant's Critique of Pure Reason is published
In 1781, Immanuel Kant wrote the Critique of Pure Reason. The text is meant to be a critical analysis of rational thought and a direct refutation of Hume's skepticism. This work is incredibly important, because it stated that there were universal notions amongst a rational minded collective. On a personal level, this work was incredibly important for me as a spiritual minded individual due to the leap of faith Kant says we must take with respect to the notion of God. -
Common School Movement
In 1830, the Common School Movement was launched by Horace Mann. The idea behind the movement was to consolidate resources for universal education for the masses. Although this movement would inevitably exclude various minority populations, it laid the foundation for the modern public school. Without this movement, I would not have been able to receive the uniquely diverse public school education that has influenced my perspective on study and pedagogy. -
Walden
In 1854 Henry David Thoreau published Walden. In my junior year of High School, I read Walden for the first time. This was a pivotal work for my studies because it forced me to question the bounds of society. I believe the first step towards abstraction is a rejection of social norms. Although I inevitably returned to many of the ideas I rejected over the years, it's important to question knowledge and societal constructions before we affirm our own beliefs as individuals. -
Interpretation of Dreams
In 1900, Sigmund Freud published the Interpretation of Dreams. I read this in 2009 in my Literary Theory Course. This works was incredibly important for me as an student because it discussed the idea of negative hermeneutics, or interpretations based on the absent cause. This text widened my scope about what could be known and where truth lies. The most important rule as an educator is the notion that very little is actually known about the world. The day you think you know everything is failure -
Brown v. Board of Education
In the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, congess declared that segregation of race was unconstitutional. This was incredibly important for America because it branded the nation as a country that prides itself on its disparities. On a personal level, if this law was not passed, I would not have met my best friend at publlic school, who has continued to ethnically enlighten me every day. -
On the Road
In 1957, Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road. This book captured me the first time I read it, and I proceeded to read it 3 more times. This is one of many novels that have shaped not only my life, but my love for literature. Without reading works that capture my soul, I would not have a love for literature. Without my love for literature, I would most certainly not be an English teacher. -
Understanding Media
In 1964, Marshal Mcluhan publish Understanding Media:The Extensions of Man. This book was incredibly eye opening and will most certainly effect my pedagogy. Mcluhan discuesses all the different types of media and the individuals receptions of various types of media. It's amazing how individuals respond to each medium presented to them in different ways. In order to include all different learning styles, I will use different mediums to transmit my message to my students. -
Derrida's Deconstructionism
In 1967 Jacques Derrida began the desconstructionist movement, which refuted the Sausserean notion of the relation of the sign to the signified. The idea that a single word could simultaneously mean one thing and the exact opposite opened up the possibility of literary analysis. This work was important for me because it showed that two seemingly distinct ideas could be related through perspective transition. -
The Postmodern Conditon
In 1979 Lyotard wrote The Postmodern Condition. This book is incredibly important for education in the contemporary world. It discusses how students should embrace the uniqueness of their education, which places an emphasis on quality teachers for forming each students educational experience. This work shows the importance of the career I have chosen, and how much care needs to be taken in educating the masses. -
Internet
In the 1980's and 90's the Internet became available for commercial use. This discovery was incredibly important for the transmission of knowledge. Without the Internet, the accesibility of information would be minimal compared to what we have today. The ability to conveniently find answers to the questions I have has shaped by educational pursuits and will form the manner in which I teach my student to access information. -
Simulacra and Simulation
In 1981, Baudrillard wrote Simulacra and Simulation. This text discusses the notion of mimesis. In other words individuals have been socialised to perceive and analyze things in a particular way that gives a false sense of objective truth. Baudrillard believes that truth does not lie in imitation, but elsewhere. I think teaching is subject to this same idea and it will be important to always change the way we perceive literature and analysis. -
Pre-K
In 1993, I began Pre-K. Without my parents instantiation of my educational career, my intelligence would be non-existent. It's incredibly important to have parental support in forming a students education. This was the first step in building my intelligence and without this critical phase, I'm not sure if I would have the same passion for knowledge. -
September 11, 2001
On September 11, 2001 terrorists flew two airplanes into the World Trade Center and another plane into the Pentagon. While this event may seem unrelated to educational pursuit it shows the importance of knowledge in providing safety and security for the citizens of our nation. Without education, not only would it have been impossible to understand the nature of the attacks, but the attacks could have been much worse. This day made me realize the importance of my education and nation. -
Mr. Welsh
in 2002, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr Welsh, my 8th grade American History teacher. He was the first teacher I encountered that seemed like an actual person and not someone just spitting information. Along with teaching me the foundations of American History, he talked about all of the jobs and life experiences he had. He really opened my mind to all the possibilities that life has to offer, and all that you can learn and teach as a result. -
Graduated from Charles F. Brush High School
In the spring of 2007, I graduated High School. This was an incredibly important day for me because it allowed me to finally enjoy the fruits of my labor. I did not realize how much I had actually learned until I went to college and had a wealth of knowledge to contribute. -
Nichomachean Ethics
In 2007, I took my first philosophy course. The first work we read was Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics. This book was incredibly important for me because this was a time when I was uncertain about which occupational path to take. The idea that laid the foundations for my occupational philosophy is the notion of knowledge as an end in and of itself. In other words, knowledge is something to be pursued for itself and not for anything else. -
Alex Schmidt
In 2007, I met Alex Schmidt, my college roommate. Both of us decided to become English majors and we took multiple classes together. This was incredibly important for discovering my passion for literature and theory. We would discuss ideas for hours on end. It would be safe to say that I learned more from the conversations we had than from any professor in my 5 years at The Ohio State University. -
English 367
In 2007, I took my second English class. For our last assignment, we had to watch season one of The Wire and write a critical analysis. This was the first assignment where I was able to use a different medium and write about it. There is a common misconception that analyzing television is not as constructive as analyzing a novel, but I disagree. I hope I can use different mediums to excite the minds of my students. -
English Major
In 2009, I declared English as my major at The Ohio State University. This was a major turning point in my life, because it narrowed my educational intent and formed the way in which I interpret literature. My goal is to transmit my unique style for interpreting literature to my students. It's not until students understand the correct method for interpretation that they can enjoy the beauty of literature and its effects on humanity. -
Professor Davis
In 2010 I had the pleasure of taking one of Professor Davis' classes at The Ohio State University. I ended up taking a total of 4 with him. His approach to literature is the exact manner in which I like to study literature. It involves the reading of social essays in relation to the literature. In other words, presenting the reader with another text as a means of understanding a primary text. He has shaped the way I will teach literature to my future students. -
The Ohio State Library
In 2010, The Ohio State University Library opened. This was incredibly important for forming my education because in my first two years it was very difficult to locate particular texts. Once the library opened, the English department had its own section within the library. It was nice to peruse the floor and search for various things to learn about. I spent hours there in my finals years as a student. -
Neil Labute
In 2010, I had the privilege of watching my best friend act in Neil Labute's The Distance From Here in New York City. After the play we went out to eat with the director and analyzed various scenes from the play and how they temporally contributed to the plot. This was another event that showed my passion for my field. I think without passion in the field you are teaching, it would be impossible to be a successful teacher. I plan on bringing my passion into the classroom to get students excited. -
Paul Gilroy's Lecture
In 2011 I was presented with an assignment involving a brief lecture. I chose Paul Gilroy's The Black Atlantic as a supplemental text for interpreting Caroll Phillip's Crossing the RIver. When I sent my powerpoint to my professor, he had planned a lecture that mirrored the one I planned. He asked if he could defer to me on the lecture, which I gladly agreed to. My 15 minute presentation laster 45 minutes. This was a major moment with respect to my decision to teach. -
Milestone 229
In 2011, I began working as a chef at Milestone 229. I was uncertain if I wanted to be a chef or a teacher, so I decided to be a student and a chef to see which I liked more. Along with learning to cook, I found myself giving English lessons to a Mexican named Polo. Every day I would write grammar rules on the board with our prep list. It was here that I realized that I wanted to teach people, regardless of the subject matter. -
Senate Bill 5 Repealed
In November of 2011, Senate bill 5 was repealed, which allowed for collective bargaining for state appointed officials, including teachers. This political moment was increidbly important for all those wishing to pursue a career in education. Money is a major issue to consider in deciding a career and without collective bargaining, teacher salaries would be effected. -
Barrio
In June of 2012, I was offered the Executive Soud Chef position at Barrio in Columbus a week before I was supposed to move to Cleveland to begin graduate school at John Carroll University. This was a defining moment because I also have a passion for culinary arts. I made a personal choice to continue my education to be a teacher, which elucidates the drive that I have to do this profession. -
Started Graduate School at JCU
In June of 2012, I began my next educational journey, graduate school. This was a major decision because I had other occupational opportunities. I knew that I had knowledge that I wanted to transmit to younger generations, but i realized that the methods of transmission are everything and content is simply part of it. -
Graduation from Ohio State University
In March of 2012, I graduated Ohio State University with degrees in both Philosophy and English. This was an incredibly important moment in my educational career because it showed the benefits of hard work and persistence, namely, knowledge. In 5 years, I acquired a wealth of knowledge that will help me as an educator on a personal and professional level -
Ebonics and Culturally Responsive Instruction
In 2012, I read a piece by Lisa Delpit that suggested that constantly correcting children who speak ebonics is limiting their educational pursuit. My immediate response was that standard english is the model of our society so of course we must correct them always, but there also needs to be a balance between accepting culturally distinctive qualities, such as language -
On Beauty
In 2005 Zadie Smith wrote On Beauty. This is an important work in my latest theoretical dilemna between the use of ebonics in a classroom setting. Smith oscillates between the use of ebonic in the dialogue of her characters and standard english in the thoughts of the narrator. It's an example that both can be mastered.