Throughout the semester, we have read many articles, watched insightful videos, and discussed meaningful topics pertaining to education. Many of the topics we have discussed tie into the idea of facilitating equity in our schools. Despite the multitude of different topics we have discussed, there are three works that stick out to me the most.
The first video that has created a lasting impact on me is the video titled "Precious Knowledge" that we watched and took notes on for one of our Video Analyses. This video is powerful to me because it demonstrates the importance of including intersectionality in school, particularly regarding culture. The video emphasizes how the Ethnic Studies Program in Tucson, Arizona, gave students a learning environment in which they felt comfortable as well as a sense of belonging. Furthermore, the program gave students the opportunity to break away from a curriculum so founded upon Eurocentric ideas and instead be engaged with topics the students felt connected to on a more personal level.
A second topic I found interesting and impactful this semester is the article titled "Troublemakers" by Shalaby. The article highlights how misbehavior in children is all too often marked as simple defiance, or as the child's choice to be "bad." The education system separates and judges children as either "good students" or "bad students" with no other considerations. Instead, it is crucial that educators look deeper into the cause behind behavior and recognize that each student is going to react differently to the given context.
Finally, the last article that had a heavy impact on me is the article titled "Aria" by Rodriguez. This article emphasizes how schools push the idea of Americanization onto families and forces many to take on a public versus private identity in regards to culture, language, etc. This article impacted me especially because of my placement at Asa Messer Elementary School this semester. Many of the kids in my class speak Spanish as a first language, and reading this article made me wonder if their families have felt a similar push as Rodriguez did to sacrifice their private individualities in favor of public, more Eurocentric identities that align with what America considers "ideal" in terms of intersectionality.
I love that you added your personal experience from your placement. I think with all of these readings, we've seen some author in the classroom that we relate to and it's so eye opening as someone who wants to go into education because you really see the type of teacher you do and don't want to be.
ReplyDeleteHi Olivia! I also was strongly impacted by "Precious Knowledge" as I am a secondary education- History major. It is so important to have students want to learn, and that teacher had so many of his students wanting to learn, and I feel as if that is what impacted me the most.
ReplyDeleteI like how you talked about Aria relating to your placement. Its so interesting to relate our readings and videos back to our real world experiences and be able to understand things better.
ReplyDeleteHi Olivia! I agree with Michelina's comment. It is so important to have students who actually want to learn, and doing that means creating meaningful learning experiences!
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