Visiting the schools and watching the students show off their talents and academic skills in each classroom was extremely helpful for me. Before I did not know if I wanted to remain teaching or focus more on counseling. This experience helped me realized that I can make a difference in my students’ lives and always be prepare for a new challenge in life.
Honestly, when I think about the course amount of work and reading, I would not change anything because the blogs were based on what was read and how I felt about urban schools and how to prepare myself in the urban settings. One thing, I would like to change is most of the readings. For example, instead of reading from scholars’ point of view of urban schools settings, how do the students who experience going to an urban school. I would like to see how they and what they would like to change about his or her schools.
Well I am more of a hands-on and observer learner. In all honest opinion, I enjoyed being in the classroom, but at the same I enjoyed visiting schools and being more in an elementary classroom environment. This experience would help even more if we visit more schools. Sometimes, it is not enough and then we could write more about it in our blogs. Overall, great class and wonderful teacher!!! Thanks Professor
Friday, June 13, 2008
Final Reflection: My experience in CURR 423/523
The first day of class, I really did not have any expectations. I kept an open mind and prepared myself for a new challenge. I did not expect visiting different urban schools and interacting with students from the schools; however my views were changed about teaching in an urban setting. In this class, I have learned and have been challenged. In one school in which I attended, the superintendent is retiring and this teacher took the time out of the lesson and asked how the students felt about change. This teacher let the students voice their opinion in the classroom. As a future teacher, I know at times I will forget let my students’ voice their opinion, but this teacher has taught me, it is alright to let your students express themselves.
The biggest challenge I faced was not knowing enough information about urban schools. This class has improved my understanding and gave me knowledge of what is going on in the urban district. Seeing the best of both worlds, but attending a suburban school district, I did not know the problems urban schools faced. I have visit urban schools, but have not sat in the classroom to experience what other students have experience. The greatest accomplishment in which I have accomplished is listening and opening my ears to this experience. I was fortunate to visit the schools to let them teach me things I did not know.
Teachers need to develop an open mind, patience, and prepare themselves for change. With this journey I tend to “borrow” some teaching techniques from the other teacher, but reinforced my own teaching techniques.
Once again, I was fortunate enough to attend this class and visit the different schools
The biggest challenge I faced was not knowing enough information about urban schools. This class has improved my understanding and gave me knowledge of what is going on in the urban district. Seeing the best of both worlds, but attending a suburban school district, I did not know the problems urban schools faced. I have visit urban schools, but have not sat in the classroom to experience what other students have experience. The greatest accomplishment in which I have accomplished is listening and opening my ears to this experience. I was fortunate to visit the schools to let them teach me things I did not know.
Teachers need to develop an open mind, patience, and prepare themselves for change. With this journey I tend to “borrow” some teaching techniques from the other teacher, but reinforced my own teaching techniques.
Once again, I was fortunate enough to attend this class and visit the different schools
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Cultural Project
Culture is what brings society together. Without culture, there is no diversity and people are unable to learn about each other. Culture is very important, especially in the classroom. It should be enforce in the classroom because students are able to learn about one another and ignore the negative stereotypes on each culture. Where and why culture is important in our society?
Culture plays a different role in race, sexuality, language, class, and religion. It is important because students are able to explore what role does culture plays in each category. In religion, a student is able to understand the different types of religion, instead of being close- minded to their own. Not just students, but society itself. For example, a student who has Christianity beliefs may not agree with another student who has Islamic belief because the way the student who has Christianity has been raised. In the classroom, although religion is part of culture, but is not really permitted in the classrooms, the teacher can set up an activity in which to show each student what is unique about their religion. This is way too refrained from altercation and the students are able to understand each other.
Another role culture plays is race. Race is not often discussed in the classrooms because the topic can be extremely sensitive; however it is part of culture. For example, when Black History Month is being taught in the classroom, most students feel uncomfortable by asking questions; however it is the teacher’s job to explain the history behind it. If it was not for the diversity in society, the students would have been so close minded.
Culture is very important in my life. As a Haitian-American woman, embracing my culture will help my students understand that it is alright to be different, but still can achieve their goals. Growing up in suburbs, most cultures were embrace through performances at my high school. Every year, my high school performs a heritage play for Black History. In this performance students are involve and learn the history of Black History Month; however I have visit other schools in the urban setting and the urban setting has embrace culture more than the schools in the suburban setting. There are programs for every nationality, and race.
Culture in my classroom may have an affect between the students and teachers, but students and teachers need to learn and embrace each other culture. It can affect the teacher because a student may ask a question in which the teacher is uncomfortable or unable to explain. Most times, the student is feeling his or her question is not answer. Culture can have an affect between the students and teachers.
Culture plays a different role in race, sexuality, language, class, and religion. It is important because students are able to explore what role does culture plays in each category. In religion, a student is able to understand the different types of religion, instead of being close- minded to their own. Not just students, but society itself. For example, a student who has Christianity beliefs may not agree with another student who has Islamic belief because the way the student who has Christianity has been raised. In the classroom, although religion is part of culture, but is not really permitted in the classrooms, the teacher can set up an activity in which to show each student what is unique about their religion. This is way too refrained from altercation and the students are able to understand each other.
Another role culture plays is race. Race is not often discussed in the classrooms because the topic can be extremely sensitive; however it is part of culture. For example, when Black History Month is being taught in the classroom, most students feel uncomfortable by asking questions; however it is the teacher’s job to explain the history behind it. If it was not for the diversity in society, the students would have been so close minded.
Culture is very important in my life. As a Haitian-American woman, embracing my culture will help my students understand that it is alright to be different, but still can achieve their goals. Growing up in suburbs, most cultures were embrace through performances at my high school. Every year, my high school performs a heritage play for Black History. In this performance students are involve and learn the history of Black History Month; however I have visit other schools in the urban setting and the urban setting has embrace culture more than the schools in the suburban setting. There are programs for every nationality, and race.
Culture in my classroom may have an affect between the students and teachers, but students and teachers need to learn and embrace each other culture. It can affect the teacher because a student may ask a question in which the teacher is uncomfortable or unable to explain. Most times, the student is feeling his or her question is not answer. Culture can have an affect between the students and teachers.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Change of Heart
Visiting Maple Ave and University High School has really changed my viewed of teaching. I must admit I was feeling hesitant about my career options in my life. My career options were social worker or teacher. At first, I was scared and nervous because my biggest fear in the classroom is what if I cannot get through one student. Is my purpose to become a teacher? I am sure that is everyone’s fear, but it was something that was bothering me constantly. Then, I received the opportunity to visit these two schools and came to realize that I can make a difference in my students’ lives. It is my purpose in life to be in the classroom and show my students “The wonder world of Education.”
I came to realize it will take determination and hard work, but it will be something that I worked hard to bring my students to where they belong. I enjoyed this experience. Comparing my experience visiting an urban setting and growing up in a suburban setting, I enjoyed my experience more in an urban setting. Observing each school, the students are giving amounts of different opportunities such as clubs, internships, and other variety options. I can only speak for my high school, but we did not receive these opportunities. When most people hear that you went to the school in suburbs, it is not what it seems to be. I believe the Urban Schools are willing to make a difference for their students and once again this experience has given me a different outlook in making a difference in my students’ lives.
I came to realize it will take determination and hard work, but it will be something that I worked hard to bring my students to where they belong. I enjoyed this experience. Comparing my experience visiting an urban setting and growing up in a suburban setting, I enjoyed my experience more in an urban setting. Observing each school, the students are giving amounts of different opportunities such as clubs, internships, and other variety options. I can only speak for my high school, but we did not receive these opportunities. When most people hear that you went to the school in suburbs, it is not what it seems to be. I believe the Urban Schools are willing to make a difference for their students and once again this experience has given me a different outlook in making a difference in my students’ lives.
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