JPED研究院 | 我正在做一件能够影响未来教育的事情

欢迎来到达罗捷派研究院~

If you can do what you do best and be happy, you're further along in life than most people.

只要能把自己的事做好，并让自己快乐，你就领先于大多数人了。

--莱昂纳多·迪卡普里奥

教师作为工作在一线的教育者，对于教学、教研、德育等工作拥有绝对的话语权，JPED 研究院将为大家定期推出外教+中教对于教学相关工作的感悟。

今天，我们将为大家推出达罗捷派研究院的第二期推文-来自达罗捷派历史/艺术教师Mr.Brown的分享，带你了解一个土生土长的美国女孩儿，发现自己所爱、选择自己所爱、坚持自己所爱的故事。

 <我正在做一件能够影响未来教育的事情> 

Shani Brown

达罗捷派学院历史老师/艺术老师

美国威廉玛丽学院本科毕业，获得TEFL （通用英语教师资格证书）、HSK3（汉语考试第三级别）证书，英语及汉语都达到教学水准。曾任美国公立高中弗吉尼亚高中历史和政治老师及学校升学顾问导师，在美国私立中学有近10年教学经验。2016年出任中国迪士尼英语外国教授。

01

我将会追求我真正热爱的专业

“中文？！“历史？！“我永远不会忘记当我宣布我将不再学习枯燥的经济学及极其困难的计算机科学时，父母的困惑和他们坚决抵制的情形。但我仍然决定追求所爱。

“你的专业(历史专业)未来能从事什么行业？”我的妈妈问道“你能用那个专业(历史)做什么？”

“Chinese?!” “History!?” I’ll never forget the puzzled yet adamantly resistant responses from my parents when I declared I would no longer be studying boring economics, or the incredibly difficult computer science. I would be pursuing what I loved. 

“What will you do with that major?” My mother continued “What can you do with that major?”. 

Ms.Brown与家人

Ms.Brown-毕业照

几个世纪以来，上大学一直是美国人普遍的升学选择。但是对我和许多其他非洲裔美国人来说，我们的血统仍然受到奴隶制和几个世纪以来种族不平等的不良影响和毒害。我的许多同龄人，包括我自己的父母都没有接受过大学教育。因此，读大学对于我们来说，不仅是为了个人的成就，更是为了家庭和种族。成功不仅是一种动力，更是一种责任。对我来说，没有失败这个选项。

Going to college has been the American way for centuries, yet, for myself and many other African-Americans in the U.S, our bloodlines are still poisoned by the ill effects of slavery and centuries of racial inequality. Thus many of my peers, myself included, came from households where their parents did not graduate from college. Hence there was an added motivation, moreover a duty, to succeed not only for personal victory, but also for family and our very race. Failure was never an option. 

Ms.Brown与朋友们

入读威廉玛丽学院（俗称“公立小常春藤”）后，我主修商业和计算机科学。我永远不会忘记，有一天，我正在上计算机科学课，目不转睛地盯着我的教授讲课，同学们正在快速的记录笔记。我心想：“天哪，我不喜欢这门课！这不是我想要的”。我走出教室，在那天更换了专业(历史专业)，再也没有重返过计算机科学的课堂。时至今日，我依旧没有后悔那天的选择。

Upon attending the College of William and Mary, commonly known as the “little ivy”, I majored in business and computer science to appease both of my parents. I’ll never forget, one day, sitting in a computer science class staring glassy eyed at my professor lecturing away. My colleagues were frivolously typing away at their notes. I thought to myself, “Dear God, I hate this class!…This is not for me”. I walked out and never returned to another computer science lecture, ever. I changed my major that day and I have never regretted the decision. 

威廉玛丽学院-全美历史第二悠久的高等院校

02

为什么选择威廉玛丽学院？

威廉玛丽学院位于弗吉尼亚州威廉斯堡，距离弗吉尼亚州詹姆斯敦只有5英里。威廉斯堡散落着美国建国以来的种种历史痕迹，是美国第一个永久定居地，在历史和文化研究方面表现优异。世界即课堂，在威廉玛丽学院学习历史让我每时每刻都在感受历史文化的魅力，培养了我对这门学科(历史专业)更加浓厚的兴趣。

It is only natural that The College of William and Mary excels at history and cultural studies as it is located in Williamsburg, Virginia; a site only 5 miles from Jamestown, VA, the first permanent settlement in the United States. Williamsburg is scattered with remnants of the founding history of my nation. Thus studying history at William and Mary was exciting because it was literally everywhere, and fostered an even stronger interest in the subject for me. 

美国历史名城-威廉斯堡

在威廉玛丽，我找到了我人生中的第二份热爱——教学。在学校，我注册并加入Sigma Gamma Rho联谊会，这是由七位女性教育家创建的黑人联谊会。在这里，我不仅感受到教育精神，更了解到教师在社会中的重要性及关键作用。在美国这样一个教育行业和教育工作者都被低估的社会，这是一件值得被载入史册的事件。但联谊会也暴露了我（所代表的种族）在经济和种族教育上与其他种族的差异。这使我大部分的社区服务时间都是和当地的高危青年及移民一起工作。

It was at William and Mary that I also found my second love, teaching. I chartered and joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., a historically black sorority founded by seven female educators. This sorority not only engendered an educational spirit but also showed me the important and crucial role of teachers in society. This was monumental, especially in a society such as the United States where education and educators are undervalued. My sorority also exposed me to the economical and racial disparities in education in the U.S. I spent the majority of my community service time working with at risk youths and immigrant populations in the local area. 在威廉玛丽学院的时光塑造了今天的我。我学会了相信自己，坚定自己的决定。我学到了很多关于国家和人民的历史知识。我认识到：教育不仅仅是孩子及其家庭的事情，站在更高的层面上来看，教育应该是整个社会共同关注的事情。我清楚的知道，这段求学经历将指引我在未来的日子里不断前行。

My time at William and Mary helped shape who I am today. I learned to trust in my decisions and myself. I learned a wealth of knowledge about the history of my nation and my own people. I also learned the importance education plays not only in the individual lives of children and families, but on a larger scale, society. I knew moving forward that this experience would be something that directed and guided me for many years to come. 

03

教育是我的使命

大学毕业后，我决定用一年的时间为我的社区和需要帮助的人进行服务。于是我作为一名全职教师参与到美国军团项目中，在不同的社区为当地的儿童和成人授课。在此之后，我搬到了亚历山大市，为刚刚移民过来的学生教授高中历史课程。对我们班的大多数学生来说，英语是他们的第二或第三语言，所以他们需要同时学习英语和历史。这段时光对于我来说，是富有挑战性又及其有意义的经历。通过这两次工作经历以及我在威廉玛丽就读时的感受，我明确的知道教学是我的使命。同时，通过我的教学经验，我还能够辨别和指出当前教育实践的不足。我逐渐明白，只有通过坚忍不拔、勇于变革、勇于创新的精神，教育才能真正实现现代化。

After college I decided to dedicate one year of my life to serving my community and those in need. I served in the AmeriCorps program as a full-time teacher, working in various communities, educating children and adults. After my service in the AmeriCorps program I moved to Alexandria City where I taught high school history to recently immigrated students. For most of the students in my class, English was their second or third language; so many were learning English and history simultaneously. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience. Through my work with Alexandria City Public Schools and the AmeriCorps program as well as my invaluable experience at William and Mary, I knew that teaching was my calling. Through my teaching experience I was also able to discern and pinpoint areas where current educational practices were lacking. I knew it was only through perseverance, openness to change and a daring spirit that education could be modernized. 

Ms.Brown任职于美国军团项目

奥普拉·温弗瑞女士曾说过：“我们不能通过保持现状而成为我们所需要的人。”

Oprah Winfrey was once quoted as saying "We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”

在我找到生活中的使命，我将继续前行。我了解到我的城市、我的国家，以及世界上，有越来越多更好的发展机会。移居中国教书是我人生中又一个关键的决定（我想你已经用了“里程碑”这个词）。这是一次难忘的生活体验，我沉浸在另一种文化中，对世界有了更加全面的理解。（对于这个决定我永不后悔，这其中的缘由就留给时间去解释吧）

Although I had found my calling in life, I was not happy staying stagnant, and I knew there were more and better opportunities for growth in my city…my country…and yes, in the world. Moving abroad to teach in China was a pivotal (I think you've already used the word monumental) decision in my life.  It is an unforgettable life experience, which has allowed me to immerse myself in another culture and emerge with a more global understanding of the world. (I would stay away from talking about how I would never regret it; I'll explain later)

Ms.Brown了解&学习中国文化

04

让我成为我自己的JPED

当我第一次来到JPED时，我已经参加过北京其他几所高中的面试。我记得在其他学校面试时，无论是面试问题、设置还是态度都如出一辙。然而，JPED是不同的。我记得因为在去昌平的路上迷路致使我面试迟到了。当时，我感到非常匆忙，担心他们因为我没有到学校而取消面试。当我慌乱地走到门口，遇到了一位非常讨人喜欢的年轻女士---段女士(原达罗捷派副校长，现为达罗捷派联合创始人)。炎热的夏天使我汗流浃背、呼吸困难。我相信我当时的状态糟糕透了，可段女士对此表示出理解和关怀，缓解了我的情绪。她带我去咖啡馆，给我时间让我冷静下来，喝一杯清爽的饮料。段女士关心地问：“你还好吗？“我挣扎着喘口气。这是一个简单的问题，我却一直记在心里。“因为无论是在中国还是美国，在面试的过程中，我都是一个”候选人“的角色。这个词语将人群从本质上划分成了两类人，一类是不在这里工作的人，另一类是在这里工作的人，这在一定程度上分离了你的一些个性和独特性。可在与段女士的短暂互动中，我并没有出现这种感觉。她让我觉得自己很重要，尽管我只是来参加面试，但我并不认为这是一场简单的交流。这次面试是和一个真正想要了解我的人在用心交谈。这种感觉一直延续到我在JPED学院执教的每一天。这不仅是存在于教师和学生之中的一种精神，更是文化。

When I first interviewed with JPED Academy, I had already interviewed with several other high schools in Beijing. I remember the uniformity of the interview process in the other schools. The questions were the same, the set up was the same, and the attitudes were the same. JPED, however, was different. I got lost on my way to Changping, and arrived late to the interview. I remember rushing, no running to the school for fear they would cancel the interview. I got to the gate flustered and was met by a very pleasant young woman, Ms. Duan. I was sweaty from the summer heat and breathing quite hard. I’m sure I was not a pretty sight, yet Ms. Duan was so pleasant and understanding. She took me to the cafe and gave me time to cool off and a refreshing drink.  With concern and empathy Ms. Duan asked “Are you alright?” as I struggled to catch my breath.  It was a simple question, but for me an impactful one. In the world of interviewing not just in China but in the US as well, I was a “candidate”. The idea of just being a candidate, to a certain extent detaches some of your own individuality and uniqueness and filters you into one of two groups, people who don’t work here, and people who do. However, that brief interaction with Ms. Duan, made me feel like I mattered, even though I did not work there yet. The interview was a conversation with someone who truly wanted to know me. This feeling has continued throughout my entire career at JPED Academy. It is a spirit that not only inhabits the teachers and students, but it is the culture of our school.

Ms.Brown与JPED的同事、同学们

Ms.Brown积极参与校园活动，勇敢挑战投篮

Mr.Brown·2019年达罗捷派圣诞集市唱跳节目

与我过去的执教经验相比，我可以诚实地说，JPED让教师能够做自己，他们能够作为一个单独的个体去运作、教育和成长。他们不希望把学生当做标准化产品一样批量生产出来，而是拥抱和培养每个老师独有的品质和能力。我在JPED工作的第一年，我的想法也在发生转变。据我所知，在美国的许多学校，甚至我所任职的中国学校，老师们常常被告知他们不能做什么，但是JPED却从告诉我“我能做什么“开始，这种信任和信心，使老师们保持持续的成长并取得成功。

Compared with many other teaching experience or opportunities I have ever had, I can honestly say that JPED allows teachers to operate, educate and thrive as the individuals that they are. They do not attempt to mold people into boxes; rather they embrace and grow the qualities and abilities unique to each teacher. My first year with JPED was transforming. With many of the schools in the US and even my previous school in China, teachers were often told what they could not do, but JPED started my teaching career by telling me what I could do. That type of trust and confidence, can only breed successful teachers. 

校园嘉年华活动

与Mr.AVF共同带领学生们表演

05

展望未来教育

说起教育，我就忍不住回想我所经历的教育。尽管我是个怀旧的人，但我仍然不希望未来的教育还像童年那样。是的，我的教育经历帮助我获得成功，但世界在改变，人们在改变，以前的教育固然成功，但并不意味着它适用于未来世界。我感谢我们学校正在试图设计和创建一个旨在服务于所有人的创造教育模式。我在美国长大，看到太多当地的教育和教学方法两级分化。教育只适应一部分学生，而那些不能适应的学生则会被定义为“问题生”或者“无能生”。当今世界，有那么多东西在进步、在变革、在革新、在科技化，为什么我们的教育不能做出改变呢？

When I think of education, I cannot help but reflect on that of my own. Despite my nostalgia, I hope that education in the future will never be like that of my childhood. Yes, it helped me become successful, but the world is changing. People are changing, and what worked before does not mean it will continue to work forever. I appreciate our school for attempting to create and design a program that seeks to create education for all. Growing up in the United States, education and teaching methods were polarized. They fit one type of student; any student who could not adapt to that teaching style was a “problem” child or had a “disability”. In today’s world, so many things are advancing, modernizing and changing, why is it that we feel education should not change? 

我想说JPED的普通学生…嗯，不是普通的，没有一个孩子可以被定义为”普通“或者”一般。JPED致力于创造一所极具包容性的学校，它是服务于每一个学生的。学生可以与学校一起出发，在成长过程中见证世界的变化。学生们的进步以及在行动中学习的轨迹都会被一一记录。从一开始我就和我们的创始届（现11年级）学生一起工作和成长。可以说，我这辈子从未有过这样的机会，陪伴一群孩子成长。这是一次奇妙的旅程，我和他们分享了太多的故事和经历，他们每一个人对我来说都极其重要。我们的学校为教师提供了参与创造以学生为中心的这种新式教学模式的体验。作为一个教育者，我很荣幸家长、学生和JPED给我这样一个宝贵的机会。

I can say that the average JPED student is… well… not average. However, in general there is no “average” or “standard” student. Our JPED strives to create an inclusive school for each individual student. One of the privileges of starting and growing with the school is you get to see things change, students growing and learning in action. I have worked with our starting class of 11th graders since the beginning. I can say I have never had that opportunity in my life, watching a child grow and develop. It has been an amazing journey. There are so many stories and experiences I have shared with just my current 11th graders that I cannot focus on just one. Our school is very student-centered and it affords the opportunity for teachers to participate in creating a totally student focused learning experience. I am honored that the parents, students and JPED have entrusted me with such a precious opportunity as being their educator. 

JPED教师必读书目-《平均的终结》

《平均的终结：如何在崇尚标准化的世界中胜出》是哈佛大学前沿课程、TED超受欢迎的演讲。

作者托德‧罗斯是哈佛大学教育学院教授，他结合个人成长的经历，并采访、搜集了大量生动真实有说服力的案例，介绍了平均标准主义是如何诞生的，又是如何深刻影响了社会的进展和人们的生活，有力地论证了这一思想带来的危害，提倡回归人的本性，弘扬个性，尊重个体。

在JPED的三年中，我看到我们学校正在积极努力创造一个富有创新精神和以学生为中心的学习环境。我经常回顾我以往的教学经历，这使我更期待属于JPED的未来创新教育理念更好的推动中国和整个世界的教育变革。

Over the course of my 3 years at JPED Academy, I have watched our school strive in our endeavors to create an innovative and student-centered environment rich with learning. I often reflect back on my previous teaching experiences as they have shaped who I am today, but I also look optimistically forward to the future of innovative education at JPED, in China and the whole world.

来到JPED的第四年·青龙峡团建