Social Justice in Education

I think that it is very important for educators to realize that everything they say is actually heard by someone, and even if they didn't mean for it to be remembered, it will be. Children will take in whatever they find could be useful. And if a students feels like a teacher is picking on them by saying something because of their race, class, ability, language, appearance, sexuality, or gender then that thought could stay with them for their whole life.

As a teacher is it important to never take sides, even if you yourself are uncomfortable with something or someone in your classroom. Everyone deserves a proper education and it is education alone that can help us all make this world a better place.

Western vs. Non-Western

I have only lived in one town my whole life. I have only been able to experience one school systems way of teaching. After reading about some of the other educational philosophies from around the world I'm not sure I would ever want to go to school anywhere else. I think that the U.S. has the most laid back teaching styles, while still being educational.

I don't understand how Essential-ism would ever work. It's goal is the acquisition of culture or cultural literacy for personal use. Wouldn't teachers want to teach something that would be useful to more than one person. It also says that the role of the student is to "receive knowledge; demonstrate MINIMUM competencies". Why shouldn't they have to show what they have 'learned'. How would a teacher know that they actually understood what they spent so much time talking about? How is that rewarding at all?

I believe that the U.S. is made up of so many different people and cultures that there is no one defined teaching style. But if you take a closer look into certain areas, you can see the similarities. You can't just have one generalized teaching style and still an effective teacher. You have to be able to demonstrate a little bit of all the educational philosophies in order to be effective for all students.
 

I thought that this was a fun little graph that shows all that it takes to get through to all students to help them learn and grow.

If you click on this photo it will enlarge

Multicultural education

Whenever I think of Multicultural Education I think of the movie Dangerous Minds with Michelle Pfeiffer. I was only 6 when it came out but once it was on cable I would watch it almost every time they played it. I love the story behind it.

Basically Michelle Pfeiffer stars as the main charactor, an ex-marine turned high school teacher, who works at Parkmont High School in California. When she first started teaching she finds herself confronted with a classroom of tough, sullen teenagers, all from lower-class and underprivileged backgrounds, involved in gang warfare and drug pushing, flatly refusing to engage with anything.

The students had a hard time relating to her and she didn't know how to get through to the kids either.  She then starts trying to understand their lives and come up with a curriculum that they understand and are willing to complete.

I just felt like it was the best example of a teacher who really cared about these kids, when even their families didn't. She made some of them want to change their ways even though it would be really difficult for them to step out of their societies norm.

If you haven't seen the movie then check out the Wikipedia page for some plot of Dangerous Minds

Slap Bracelets Banned!

I was just born when slap bracelets were all the rage, however when I was in 4th and 5th grade they came back for a little bit, before teachers realized what they were again and they got banned. It was such a fun thing to trade bracelets with you friends, match them to your outfits and just play with them during class. I never really saw the harm in them. Until now.

OoOoOh! So many possibilities.

What I didn't know, nor experience, was children slapping them SO hard on their wrists or their friends wrists to the point where they needed stitches. I just read this article that was published in the New York Times on October 11, 1990 titled "Principal Puts a Halt To Slap-Bracelet Fad". The article talks about the West Orchard Elementary School in Chappaqua, N.Y. where officials said a pupil who had removed the cloth covering required three stitches in her hand after she was cut with an exposed bracelet edge. Ouch! Why would anyone do that to themselves?

Well it may have not been on purpose. The article does into depth about how "the metal is inferior, low-grade caliber steel with poor-quality fabric. The sealing is also inferior. The steel can either break through or snap through and cause injury.''

Looking at it now I can definitely see why schools would ban them and some retailers would take them off the shelves. Children are very curious and even if you teach them and tell them the proper way to use things they will most likely test things out for themselves eventually. It's how we learn.

This made me think about how I would approach the situation had I been I teacher back then. What would it take for me to go to the Principal with the issue? Would it be something that I could change for everyone? Am I strong enough to take the blame for all the children's things to be taken away from them?

New York Times Article

Why teach?

After reading the article "Why Teach?" by Herbert Kohl I couldn't help but to think of my past elementary school teachers. They were all so loving and kind. They truly love being around children all day and helping them form their own identities. All my teachers would help each child individually and never single them out if they couldn't answer any question. Elementary school is supposed to be full of fun and learning, in my perspective.

I think a lot of people teach because of their own experiences. Whether they are good or bad. I can see how easily some of my past teachers could have inspired me to become a teacher myself.

I read an article on the Teacher Support Network website  that stated "The most compelling reason to become a teacher is the desire to work with children. Some point to a "calling," a yearning to help children learn, watch them grow, and make a meaningful difference in the world." I feel like that would pretty much sum it up for every teacher out there.

If you would like to read Kohl's "Why Teach?" article here is a link for it:

http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/28192_4.pdf

Teacher Support Network:

http://www.teacherssupportnetwork.com/corporate/KnowledgeCenterArticle.do?id=5

Hello, Hello, Hello!

Hey there readers! I am so glad that you have navigated your way to my blog. This is my very first experience writing a blog, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. The reason for this blog is for my Premise of School class. Over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing my experiences with you. I will be doing observations in a local elementary school classroom and can't wait to see what the kiddos have in store for me!

As I said in my "about me" I am a Business Management major and I am taking this class to fulfill a free elective. I will be graduating from Salem State University in the Spring of 2012. I love to read, do arts and crafts and see my friends when I have downtime from school and work. I also love to travel.

This is a picture of The Lone Cypress that I took on a recent trip to California.

I wanted to take this class because I love children and the joy they can bring to you.  Every experience that a child has can lead to who they will be in the future, so I believe that it is important to guide them through life experiences to the best of your ability.

 My mom, my sister, and I when I was about 3 years old.