This blog is designed to allow reflection and discussion on various topics associated with the USA College of Education and 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile, Summer Enrichment Program. We encourage you to provide feedback on your experiences during the program.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Article Reflection
You have been given four articles to read over the course of the program. Were the articles relevant to your experiences thus far? What are some take-aways you received from the articles?
So far the articles have been powerful, interesting to read, and extremely convicting. In most ways I think they have been extremely relevant to several experiences that I have had. One big thing I have taken away is that my relationship with my students is the most important thing. Also, I recognize that even if I walk into a classroom with the greatest lessons and "good intentions" that will not make me a successful teacher. I have to be more and do more than that.
Yes they have been great... I wrote "If the statistics are right, myself, a white woman teacher, must know how to learn about her students and how to get them to want to learn. This is not something we can learn in a classroom, this is something that we must be exposed to in real life. This goes for all minorities. If we were to be placed in Bayou La Batre, we would need to know about the Vietnamese or if we were placed around the farms, we might need to know about the Latino culture. The idea of teacher relationships, culture, and preparedness is the key point in most of the chapter." This was a major part of what i have learned.
Andrea, I think you make a good point. The truth is, it can be tough to teach any culture different from our own unless we are committed to learn about that culture. It is not about agreeing or disagreeing, but it is about having an opened mind and determined to give 200% to each and every student! By participating in all aspects of the summer program, including reading the articles, you are showing your willingness to learn. :)
The articles have been quite eye-opening, and yet encouraging. It has been said that insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Therefore, I do not want to continue a pattern of a non-productive white woman teacher if I am ever placed in a different cultured school. I think it is important that we learn how to approach cultures and relationships appropriately. I agree with Andrea as well, we will learn from experience. Probably the most important part is the realization that teaching and walking in culturally different relationships the RIGHT way is a battle more than worth fighting.
The articles have been relevant to the experience with my students. They have inspired me to make sure that I am learning not only about the content areas that I teach but also about my students. In fact, learning about my students and making the curriculum relevant to my students is a must in order to really teach my students. If I do not take the time to learn from my students, I am actually harming my students. As a white woman teacher, I have to be comfortable discussing relevant issues such as racism and sexism in my classroom. I also must make sure that I am basing my standards upon research and data and not misconceptions about students.
The articles have went hand in hand with this experience. Reading them has made me step back and think about things in a different way. It has helped me think about what kind of teacher I want to be, and helped me start on the right track to becoming that teacher.
The articles have been great, as they helped to reinforce what we were seeing on a daily basis. I hope the program continues to use progressive material that challenges what we have always assumed, that which often holds us back from being effective teachers in environments that are different from where we came from. I think these articles have continued to reinforce that culture is environmental, and should not be viewed as superior or inferior, only different. As well, I think that empathy is the most powerful tool that a teacher can hold, and these articles have pointed this out.
The articles have encouraged me to look at myself more critically. I believe it is difficult to help students face issues we do not face ourselves. These articles have encouraged me to be more culturally aware and take a deeper look at the curriculum as it is presented. I agree with the article when it refers to how deeply teachers expectations effects students. I want to set high expectations for all of my students and work to help them meet those expectations.
The articles have been really helpful! They are really interesting and I enjoy reading them. My favorite one is Chapter 7: White Women's Work:On the Front Lines in Urban Education by Stephen D. Hancock. I enjoyed reading the viewpoints of other teachers on how they feel working with students from urban areas.
The articles were absolutely outstanding! I learned so much from them. My favorite article was "Lower expectations are the highest form of Racism." I enjoyed reading about how the author could recall a former teacher that made a difference in her life because I could relate to that. But I didn't just have one teacher that made a difference for me, it was several! I loved how she explained that all children want to be loved no matter where they come from. I'm sure all of us can relate to that!
So far the articles have been powerful, interesting to read, and extremely convicting. In most ways I think they have been extremely relevant to several experiences that I have had. One big thing I have taken away is that my relationship with my students is the most important thing. Also, I recognize that even if I walk into a classroom with the greatest lessons and "good intentions" that will not make me a successful teacher. I have to be more and do more than that.
ReplyDeleteYes they have been great... I wrote "If the statistics are right, myself, a white woman teacher, must know how to learn about her students and how to get them to want to learn. This is not something we can learn in a classroom, this is something that we must be exposed to in real life. This goes for all minorities. If we were to be placed in Bayou La Batre, we would need to know about the Vietnamese or if we were placed around the farms, we might need to know about the Latino culture.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of teacher relationships, culture, and preparedness is the key point in most of the chapter." This was a major part of what i have learned.
Andrea, I think you make a good point. The truth is, it can be tough to teach any culture different from our own unless we are committed to learn about that culture. It is not about agreeing or disagreeing, but it is about having an opened mind and determined to give 200% to each and every student! By participating in all aspects of the summer program, including reading the articles, you are showing your willingness to learn. :)
ReplyDeleteThe articles have been quite eye-opening, and yet encouraging. It has been said that insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Therefore, I do not want to continue a pattern of a non-productive white woman teacher if I am ever placed in a different cultured school. I think it is important that we learn how to approach cultures and relationships appropriately. I agree with Andrea as well, we will learn from experience. Probably the most important part is the realization that teaching and walking in culturally different relationships the RIGHT way is a battle more than worth fighting.
ReplyDeleteThe articles have been relevant to the experience with my students. They have inspired me to make sure that I am learning not only about the content areas that I teach but also about my students. In fact, learning about my students and making the curriculum relevant to my students is a must in order to really teach my students. If I do not take the time to learn from my students, I am actually harming my students. As a white woman teacher, I have to be comfortable discussing relevant issues such as racism and sexism in my classroom. I also must make sure that I am basing my standards upon research and data and not misconceptions about students.
ReplyDeleteThe articles have went hand in hand with this experience. Reading them has made me step back and think about things in a different way. It has helped me think about what kind of teacher I want to be, and helped me start on the right track to becoming that teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe articles have been great, as they helped to reinforce what we were seeing on a daily basis. I hope the program continues to use progressive material that challenges what we have always assumed, that which often holds us back from being effective teachers in environments that are different from where we came from. I think these articles have continued to reinforce that culture is environmental, and should not be viewed as superior or inferior, only different. As well, I think that empathy is the most powerful tool that a teacher can hold, and these articles have pointed this out.
ReplyDeleteThe articles have encouraged me to look at myself more critically. I believe it is difficult to help students face issues we do not face ourselves. These articles have encouraged me to be more culturally aware and take a deeper look at the curriculum as it is presented. I agree with the article when it refers to how deeply teachers expectations effects students. I want to set high expectations for all of my students and work to help them meet those expectations.
ReplyDeleteThe articles have been really helpful! They are really interesting and I enjoy reading them. My favorite one is Chapter 7: White Women's Work:On the Front Lines in Urban Education by Stephen D. Hancock. I enjoyed reading the viewpoints of other teachers on how they feel working with students from urban areas.
ReplyDeleteThe articles were absolutely outstanding! I learned so much from them. My favorite article was "Lower expectations are the highest form of Racism." I enjoyed reading about how the author could recall a former teacher that made a difference in her life because I could relate to that. But I didn't just have one teacher that made a difference for me, it was several! I loved how she explained that all children want to be loved no matter where they come from. I'm sure all of us can relate to that!
ReplyDelete