I am often asked why I teach and why I decided to teach Social Studies...well the answer is easy. Initially in college my goal was to get into business and hopefully make a lot of money but taking business classes never made me happy. During my first year of college and in high school I always loved my history and geography classes plus I had a great experience running a youth basketball camp in high school for my senior project so for one reason or another I felt a "calling" to teaching. And to go along with that I do feel strongly that the things I teach and what we learn about the world is very significant, but others do not always see it that way.
A challenge I frequently get from students when teaching geography and history is "Why is this important?!?". Well my response to that is understanding the world is now more important than ever. With advances in technology the entire world is more interconnected than ever before. Other countries around the world are emerging as direct competitors to all students and workers alike in the United States (and that will not change):
Shift Happens Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q
Read this Article: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2056610,00.html
So as everyone in the world becomes closer, more connected, and more countries produce large and educated work forces, it is CRITICALLY IMPORTANT that the United States prepares and takes on the challenge. In no way shape or form am I promoting an us-against-the-world mentality but changes in the world order must be acknowledged. It will require effort and understanding by everyone and a great first step is becoming familiar with the rest of the world. In order to figure out where the world is going we need to undertand what has happened and what the world is currently like. No longer is living in the past of unchallenged American dominance acceptable. The new global society needs to be embraced and Americans need to understand the world around them to survive. My favorite radio show host, Colin Cowherd, always says "Live in the is, not in the was". And I cannot think of a better way to sum up this blog entry. Welcome to Global Studies and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
