Environmental Stresses - Educational Successes

From birth children are natural learners. They have to learn how to drink from a bottle, than upgrade to spoons and eating solid foods to crawling, walking, talking, potty training, riding bikes, writing, spelling, etc. Their environments have a huge influence their abilities to learn. Children have to find comfort in their environments in order for them to really receive a good education. If a child does not feel safe in their learning setting, their ability to learn is tainted. When comfort is established other sources such as outside environmental stresses can take a toll on a child and alter their desire to learn and their redirect their focus. According to the article, Creating an Effective Physical Classroom Environment, it states that “every teacher knows that a safe, clean, comfortable and attractive classroom can stimulate learning and help build a classroom community. (TeacherVision. 2011)” The article addresses the fact that this can be a challenge for a teacher due to limitations they may have including, crowded classrooms, insufficient storage space and the age of the school building. Creating such an environment for students goes beyond the inevitable; many students come from distraught home settings and have been victims of unpredictable circumstances that have made their schools their safe havens, so the classroom environment becomes an extremely vital place for them.

 In particular, students that was affected by Hurricane Katrina experienced tragedy, heartache, distress, but somewhere in the mist of all that pain a blessing was revealed. Of course this natural disaster was indescribably disturbing, life changing and harsh in all ways possible. However, there was a blessing in disguise, in the sense that students were able to cease a great opportunity in finding a school that best fits their educational needs (Goodman. 2005). I can understand how this blessing can be overlooked for children because it is devastating for any child to lose their school, their teachers, their friends and to some students their safe haven from there destructive lives at home. It is not easy for students to comprehend the starting over concept; however in the end they can reap many benefits.

The article, Education Child of Katrina, really grasped my attention, because I was curious to know how this disaster effected the children’s education.  I like to think of myself as an optimist, always trying to find a blessing in the eye of a storm. Although the children affected by Katrina, had to relocate and had to experience the lost of everything they have ever known, I believe that for many of them starting over was the best thing that could have ever happened to them. Yes it is hard, yes it is challenging, but yet there were blessings. Many of the children were able to start anew and receive a better education, they were able to eventually have a stable home because parents had to step up and take an active role in caring for and tending to their children.

 Growing up in NYC and experiencing the tragedy of 9/11 was interesting. I use interesting because I honestly did not know what the World Trade Center was (truly a shame, I know).  I did not have any family or friends directly associated with this event; however many of my classmates had family who were victims to the calamity. I was in 10^th grade English class at the time the planes struck the towers. After the announcement was made, I saw devastation on my fellow classmates faces. Even though it had little influence over me, it pained me to see how this tragedy affected those surrounded by me. For us students to experience a historical tragedy like that gave us a new level of understanding of history. At least for me, I became more susceptive to paying attention in history class and really tried to develop an understanding of the historical events.

As a future teacher I will try to my best to cater to the needs of my students. I will try to create a safe haven environment considering all possible settings in which my students will be coming from. I will try to create a place of confront so that my students can feel free to be who they are without feeling pressured to be someone they are not. I will consider the events of our community and try to implement a serene atmosphere where my students focus will remain on things of the classroom and their desire to learn will not be succumbed by the events of the world.

References:

Goodman, J.C. (Oct. 2005). Educating children of Katrina. NCPA. Retrieved from http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba534/

TeacherVision. 2011. Creating an effective physical classroom environment. Retrieved from tp://www.teachervision.fen.com/classroom-management/decorative-arts/6506.html

Multiculturalism and Social control

Immigration has been a major issue America has been facing for decades. The amount of immigrants has continued to rise despite the various cautions the government has implemented. Since immigration has increased the amount of immigrant children attending public schools has increased creating a rise in diversity in schools.  Because of the diversity of the students the curriculum in history has taken on a different approach and has caused some sort of social control.

Teachers are now placed in a situation to where they have to twist the curriculum or the way they teach history in their class. Since history involves various cultures and ethnicity it has to be taught in a way that students are allowed to form their own opinion of the historical events and at the same time develop an understanding of the material. In the article Multiculturalism in School Curriculum a teacher speaks on the various approaches that she uses to teach her students history. In particular, “when teaching the Progressive Era (part of the traditional curriculum), my students work in pairs to write and present an interview on one person from the time period. I provide students with information from a variety of perspectives and from a variety of races and genders. The students are allowed to form their own opinions and arguments. My job is simply to provide them with the information and be objective.” I appreciate this approach because it doesn’t isolate immigrant students. It offers the opportunity for students to become acquainted with each other and learn all at once.

To some extent schools are used as a means for social control. Although some teachers may argue that they are unbiased when it comes to teaching, in most cases they allow their perspectives to slip through the cracks.  Everyone in every form wants to have control. The school system is the best environment to exercise such a control. I believe that the way the curriculum in set up is to allow the smart students to excel and the not so smart kids in the same spot. The standardized tests that are required to determine whether a student moves on to the next level or stay behind is a controlling spectrum. Teachers are required to teach the necessary subjects on these tests at a certain pace. Not every student can comprehend a specific topic in the same pace or manner as the next student. So many students are left in the dark because the teacher is required to teach a certain amount of material in a certain time frame.  This develops a social structure to where the smart stays on top and the students that are need of more attention and time are left behind.  

Schools are now designed in a way that students are placed in classes determined by their level of intellect. In the book Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Gatto, he states “students were sharply divided from one another in rigid class divisions justified by standardized testing. Separation into winner and losers became the ruling dynamic. (p.200)” This separation is also a controlling spectrum. Immigrant students that have English as their second language suffer the most because they have to learn the language and then be able to comprehend the material. If those students are not strongly willed to exceed they will not progress in their education, this is not because teachers do not care, but because the way the system is set up to control every aspect of student learning and teacher teachings. I have witnessed this growing up in the public school system. We were separated to the extent of the bilingual students were in a completely separate class. To some extent I can understand the need for the separation which allowed them to learn at a pace and language that was beneficial to them, but then again it isolated them from other students that could have helped their transition. A medium needs to be established so that all students (citizen or immigrant) all receive an equal level of educational understanding and no child is truly left behind.

References:

Gatto, J. (2009). Weapons of Mass Instruction. New Society Publishers

Waxler, A (2008). Multiculturalism in school curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.teaching-tips-machine.com/multicultural_education.htm

Multiculturalism

           Multiculturalism is defines as the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level (2011). It is amazing to see how many different views there are on the topic of multiculturalism. Some people believe that a multicultural society shouldn’t exist; some think that studying and teaching multiculturalism is unnecessary and others believe that acknowledging that multiculturalism exist means changing history.

          In an article by Samuel Taylor, he wrote about the changes multiculturalism plays in the school’s history department.  He states that history is simply a point of view illustrated by various story tellers. I can visualize how history can be a point of view because there are always two or more sides to a story and then there are the facts. History is taught from a certain person or person’s perspective. The article stated that the degree of importance of certain historical events will differ amongst the races. What is important to one race may not be relevant to the next. For example, slavery is relevant to blacks but it holds no significance to the whites because their lives would have little if any, historical changes if slavery didn’t exist. It also states how teaching multicultural history is a major challenge. Because American history not only involves America and Americans, but it also includes the history of other races, nationalities and cultures this makes teaching history a challenge. It opens the door to uncertainties on which point of view should be favored without causing confusing or tension amongst students. In teaching history not every perspective can be taught. It was stated in the article that numerous varieties of history textbooks have been published to accommodate a particular culture in a particular school or district. The schools that are highly populated with blacks would have history textbooks that cater more to black American history, and so forth. I think that all students need to learn about all cultures history because to some degree we are all connected through our roots and each of our races and cultures have come into contact and has inspired one another on some type of level at one point in time in history, rather that encounter was pleasant or not there is still a message or lesson to be learned.

            It is not a surprise to me that the white nation still wants America to be considered ‘White America.’ I am not even surprised by the extremes in which these nationalist go through to get rid of other races. According to an article by PJ Tobia, he pinpoints how there are massive amounts of people that cannot stomach the idea of America being a multicultural nation. There are so many people that are still hoping for the past to catch up to the future and bring back the idea that whites are the superior race and no other race should have any equal or higher authority over them. The article states how these individuals are content with having other races and cultures living on the American soil, however they are not suppose to be share the same social statuses. They are supposed to be caterers and miners for the whites; they believe there should be no equality amongst them and other races. I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone has the right to dream whatever dream they want. I feel that we were all born equal because we were all born sinners in which are offered the same opportunity to get into heaven. Some people are just stuck in their ways of the past in which they pass down to their children to continue a cycle that will never end; therefore children born in this generation are living their lives with views and understandings of the past which disables them from embracing the new diverse nation.  This cycle can never end if fear remains a factor; fear that the white history will be forgotten. History is documented in so many books with so many different views that it is impossible for any of it to be forgotten. I believe that people are content with living with views from the past; they allow their comfortable state of mind to paralyze them and keep them from moving forward and embracing the new way of living.

            All around the world multiculturalism is taking place and is being accepted. America has embraced it more so than other nations such as the Europeans, the British, and the Turkish have. In the article, Why multiculturalism is wrong, states how other nations such as the Netherlands will not allow multiculturalism to take place in its nation. Although the Dutch and the Chinese people have migrated to the Netherlands they have not been welcomed with open hands and are not allowed to indulge in the traditions of the Netherlanders. The Dutch or the Chinese people are not allowed to learn languages that are not of their culture. Chinese people are only allowed to be taught Dutch, even the children that were born in the Netherlands are not allowed to learn other languages. I think this is terrible. I admire the fact that America allows its students to be taught other languages. This increases their opportunities in becoming successful. I think that that is done to maintain some sort of control over the nation, so that everyone knows their role and the boundaries they should and shouldn’t cross. I think diversity is a great concept to have; it opens up the door to so many great ideas, and revelations. Every culture has something to offer and if we can all work together this world would be a better world.

References:

2011. Multiculturalism. Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiculturalism

Taylor, S. (Unknown). The challenge of 'multiculturalism' in how Americans view the past and the future. Institute for Historical Review. Retrieved from http://www.ihr.org/jhr/v12/v12p159_Taylor.html

Treanor, P. (2007). Why multiculturalism is wrong. Nation Planet. Retrieved from http://web.inter.nl.net/users/Paul.Treanor/multicult.html

Tobia, P.J. (Feb. 2009). Pithissippi burning: Race, white nationalism and American culture. Retrieved from http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2009/02/23/pithissippi-burning-race-white-nationalism-and-american-culture

Religion in Public Schools

Religion has been a very debatable topic for many decades. There are numerous views, beliefs and practices that fall under religion. A concern that many parents, elected officials, teachers and administrators have is the use of religion in schools. The question is: should religion be taught or exercised in public schools? I believe it should only be practiced at home.

In the article ‘Religion in Schools Debate Heats Up’, it addressed a lawsuit that was filed between an atheist parent against a suburban Chicago public school. The parent was riled up over the fact that his daughter had to participate in having a moment of silence in prayer or personal reflection every morning of each school day. The judge ruled against the state law requiring public school students to observe the moment of silence. Defenders of the law argued that the law does not force students to participate in anything religious, but that it is the student’s personal choice to indulge in those sorts of activities. In another article entitled “Joint Statement of Current Law on Religion in the Public Schools” it offers a breakdown of what religious concepts or practices (if any) are permissible in the schools and what are prohibited.  It gives a thorough outline of what teachers and administrators should do in various situations related to religion, what procedures they need to follow, how they should tackle certain subject matters and how to conduct appropriate religious debates. This is a helpful guide for everyone including parents, since it offers a better understanding of everyone’s roles and rights pertaining to religion. Students and teachers are now more aware of what they can do and can’t do and what they are required to do.

When I was in elementary school we had to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning before classes started. Although this was not a prayer, praise was being given to a flag and God was being acknowledged in the pledge, this is something that could have gone against my religion. For example, Jehovah Witnesses do not believe in worshipping a flag, so if I was a part of this organization this would have gone against what I believe and was raised not to do. This brings me to the topic of religious holidays being promoted and practiced in schools such as Christmas.  Students that are Jehovah Witnesses once again cannot participate because this is not a part of their beliefs. A policy for religious holidays is included in the ‘The Joint Statement of Current Law on Religion in the Public Schools’. It states that public schools are allowed to teach about religious holidays, and they may celebrate the secular aspects of the holiday, however they may not observe the holiday as religious events. Students are allowed to be excused from participating in all activities that are associated with the holiday. I believe this isolates students to a certain degree, even though it is a free at will type of situation. Every student wants to be included in fun activities they don’t want to feel left out, but there is little that can be done to make all students feel equally equal. If the holidays aren’t celebrated than that would not be fair to the students that do celebrate them and if they are it isn’t fair to the students that don’t. So it all balls done to students having choices, rather than them just being obligated to participate. I think the policies on religion have brought some sort of balance to the school system, which was very much needed.

I believe schools are not the place to teach any and everything. I believe there should be some sort of boundaries. I feel that religion shouldn’t be practiced in schools because students have different beliefs. It is not the schools place to encourage or discourage students to believe in anything other than what is taught in their homes. As a parent I want my children to learn religious beliefs from me and not a teacher because we may have different views. I want my children to believe in what I decide to teach them as oppose to what the teacher wants. Until my children are of age to choose their own preference, I would like to make that decision for them.

References:

American Civil Liberties Union (April 1995). Joint Statement of Current Law on Religion in the Public Schools. ACLU – Defending Targets of Discrimination – Religion and Schools.  Retrieved from http://www.aclu.org/religion-belief/joint-statement-current-law-religion-public-schools

Calefati, Jessica (Jan. 2009). Religion in Schools Debate Heats Up. US News.  Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/on-education/2009/01/22/religion-in-schools-debate-heats-up_print.html

Educational Innovators and "Makers"

           The education field has been designed by magnificent educators. These educators can be categorized as either innovators or “makers.” They have all contributed something to the education field. Many of their ideas, concepts and theories have helped create a foundation for educators worldwide.  An innovator can be defined as a person that introduces something new according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary. I believe innovators are more relevant to education than “makers” are. Innovators have created ways for individuals like me, to receive a great education, whereas “makers” used education to create an industry that will ‘make’ them money.

There are plenty of innovators that interested me, but two really made an impact, Horace Mann and Linda Brown Thompson. These two individuals have done some extraordinary things that still impact us. According to the PBS website, “The Story of American Public Education,” Horace Mann devoted his time and energy to create a solid foundation for public schools. Mann didn’t start his career path as an educator, but that is where he ended up. He established the board of education in which we still utilize today.  Mann used his law and social reformer experience to create a new foundation for public schools. He improved public schools by trying to  “equalize education opportunity, he established training institutes for teachers, increased the length of the school year to six months, and gathered support for more funding for teacher salaries, books and school construction.” Mann’s dedication to improving public schools has awarded me the education I believe I deserved. I was educated in the public school system and without Mann’s hard work and continues efforts to improve the system, I am sure my public school education experience would have been a lot different. Mann’s desire to equate education, leads me to the next individual Linda Brown Thompson, who desired to receive the same educational opportunity as that of other races.

Linda Brown Thompson, an innovator, “is often credited with single-handedly bringing down segregation in America (PBS website).” Brown has paved the way for Blacks and other races to receive the same educational opportunity as the whites. Due to her families’ determination and her eagerness to learn, segregated schools no longer exist. Brown stood up and fought for what she believed she deserved which was the same education that was offered to the whites at that time. This was a major during the early 1900’s. Blacks were not allowed to be taught in the same facility as the whites. Talk about an equal education, that didn’t exist. Brown will always be remembered for her courage in fighting to receive an equal education. I am thankful for Brown standing her ground and changing the nation. As a Black woman, I feel so privileged to know that someone fought for me, my siblings, my children and future generations, so that we can be as successful as the next individual by being able to receive the same educational opportunities regardless of our sex or race.

In the ‘American Education History Tour’ John Taylor Gatto states that “the real makers of modern schooling weren’t at all who we think.” Gatto goes on and name a few innovators as the individuals that aren’t makers of modern schooling. He states that leaders of the new American industrialist class are the true makers of modern schooling. I am not too thrilled with the concept that Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan, a.k.a the “makers” are “the real makers of modern schooling.” I do not believe that these individuals have made a sufficient impact in the education field. I will grant them credit for dreaming big and becoming outstanding achievers. However, to award them with the title of being “the real makers of modern schooling” will be a giant stretch. If I had to choose a “maker” that has influenced public education as we know it today I would choose John Rockefeller. He has played an extensive role in education as a whole. Rockefeller established The Rockefeller Foundation in 1913 in which its mission was “to promote the well-being of man-kind throughout the world (Encyclopedia of World Biography)”. It established high schools throughout the south by providing free professional advice on improving instruction and education (Poole, K).  Although he was not an educator he has provided millions of dollars to fund education.  Rockefeller provided funds for Spelman College in Atlanta, GA in which is a college for African American women. He was the founder of the University of Chicago in which he contributed more than $80 million into the institution and founded Rockefeller University located in New York City. Rockefeller has also provided financial support to many institutions such as Yale, Harvard, and Brown (Wikipedia).  His contribution to the education field has helped keep institutions up and running financially, but I do not believe that his efforts did much in creating the foundation in public education as we know it to be today.

It takes more than money to make public education success. However, I will rationalize that money sure does play a major factor in keeping the public schools up and running.  It is the money that has brought numerous schools into many communities offering children the opportunity to become educated. I will say that it has been the innovators that have taken the proper steps to ensure that every child receives a great education, but it has been the “makers” that have supplied the funds to make that possible. So overall, I think they both have influenced the education field one way or the other.

References:

2001. Horace Mann. Innovators. The Story of American Public Education. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/kcet/publicschool/innovators/mann.html

Gatto, John T. 2003. The Makers of Modern Schooling. American Education History Tour. Retrieved from http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/historytour/history1.htm

Encyclopedia of World Biography. John D. Rockefeller Biography. Retrieved from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Pu-Ro/Rockefeller-John-D.html

Poole, Keith. 2000. The Rockefellers. American Experience. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/peopleevents/p_rock_jsr.html  

2011. John D. Rockefeller. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_D._Rockefeller

Welcome

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my blog!

Tashina