I am currently taking an education course at SMU called School and Society in conjunction with a drug abuse awareness course. We are currently focusing on the politics of education. One of the major topics in the education book we are using is the Civil Rights Movement and cultural teaching.
The Civil Rights Movement excerpts in our book have concentrations on standing up for personal beliefs. Many of the teachers in the excerpts are white and male teaching in lower-income African American schools.
It got me to thinking about my own approach to teaching. To be honest, when I imagined myself five or six years from now, I am teaching in front of a small class of predominantly white students in a Catholic private school. That is what I know. I attended a private school from Kindergarten and first grade. Then I attended a public school in second grade. It was the only public school I have ever attended. Then I was home-schooled by my mom third grade through sixth grade. After that I was a student at Bethlehem Academy for seventh grade through my Senior year. Now I am attending Saint Mary's University.
All of the schools I have been enrolled in (or are currently enrolled in) are filled with middle class white students. Except B.A. There, we had some Hispanic and African American students. I never thought of teaching in an inner-city school, or lower income community. Never crossed my mind. Maybe once, but if it did I didn't think about it very long.
Now I am starting to rethink my approach to teaching. In the most recent after-college future, I won't be teaching at a private school. I'll probably be teaching at a Naval base school. Yes, Matt has decided, after four years of deliberation, that he wants to be in the Navy. The plan is: after we get married we go the the naval base in Illinois. Then I'll follow him wherever he goes.
Lord,
May you grant me the patience and determination to work with students of all cultural backgrounds. Help me to be the best teacher I can be. Let me remember that no matter what happens, Thy will be done.
Amen.
So now I need to think about teaching different children. Not the ones I have been surrounded by. Students who are very different from me; culturally, mentally, and socially. If anyone has any advice for a very (I'll admit it) White Midwestern female future teacher, do not hesitate. :)
Well, I should really start working on homework right now. Sigh. Wish me luck.
Loves and Hugs,
Alycia
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Puppies!
I got to visit Matt this weekend! It was fun.
On Saturday we went with Ben & Mary, Eric & Jessie, and Kevin (yep, Kevin was the 'seventh wheel,' poor Kevin) to a corn maze just outside of Menomonie. It was really fun. First, we drove up to the farm, got out of the car, and were greeted by three of the sweetest dogs (besides Matt's, of course). They were Great Pyrenees; large, white dogs with a calm temperament. There was ...Bruno, I think that was his name, the dad; Peanut, the mom; and the only pup they kept from the spring litter, Deedee, a sweet young girl. I learned three things about the Great Pomeranian breed from the owners and runners of the corn maze.
Great Pyrenees Facts:
1. They are very calm dogs, even as puppies. They are perfectly happy to lolly-gag around.
2. If you pet one and stop petting it, the dog will lift one of his or her's front paws and whack you with it. It's genetic. Strange, eh?
3. The two of you (you and the dog), can come nose to nose and he will not lick you. This, too, is genetic! I for one am not a dog kissing fan, so this fact makes me very, very, very happy.
4. They're essentially guard dogs. They will protect any animal (or human, for that matter) that they are raised with.
Ok, so that came out to four fun facts about the breed. But the facts are all pretty cool, huh???
One other fact I forgot about: on their hind legs there are an additional two "toes." The two extra toes are located on the back of their heels. Odd, but neat.
So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. ;-)
Peace and God Bless,
Live Jesus in our hearts forever,
Alycia
On Saturday we went with Ben & Mary, Eric & Jessie, and Kevin (yep, Kevin was the 'seventh wheel,' poor Kevin) to a corn maze just outside of Menomonie. It was really fun. First, we drove up to the farm, got out of the car, and were greeted by three of the sweetest dogs (besides Matt's, of course). They were Great Pyrenees; large, white dogs with a calm temperament. There was ...Bruno, I think that was his name, the dad; Peanut, the mom; and the only pup they kept from the spring litter, Deedee, a sweet young girl. I learned three things about the Great Pomeranian breed from the owners and runners of the corn maze.
Great Pyrenees Facts:
1. They are very calm dogs, even as puppies. They are perfectly happy to lolly-gag around.
2. If you pet one and stop petting it, the dog will lift one of his or her's front paws and whack you with it. It's genetic. Strange, eh?
3. The two of you (you and the dog), can come nose to nose and he will not lick you. This, too, is genetic! I for one am not a dog kissing fan, so this fact makes me very, very, very happy.
4. They're essentially guard dogs. They will protect any animal (or human, for that matter) that they are raised with.
Ok, so that came out to four fun facts about the breed. But the facts are all pretty cool, huh???
One other fact I forgot about: on their hind legs there are an additional two "toes." The two extra toes are located on the back of their heels. Odd, but neat.
So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. ;-)
Peace and God Bless,
Live Jesus in our hearts forever,
Alycia
Thursday, September 16, 2010
I Believe....
In an Education course I had yesterday, we listed to a radio edit. On a radio show called "I Believe," a kindergartner, Tarak McLain shared 30 of his beliefs. His beliefs were for a special event in kindergarten, the 100th day of school. Most kids bring a hundred pennies or cotton balls. This boy brought a list of 100 beliefs.
At first I thought it was just a cute little diddly. But Tarak is a really deep kid. He has the capacity for understanding so many things that I never even imagined of in Kindergarten.
So, inspired by Tarak's list, I decided to make one of my own.
I Believe...
1.That as big as this universe is, and how little we may seem, God put us here for a reason.
2.We should be able to walk down the sidewalk singing at the top of our lungs...and NOT get strange looks.
3.That the trust of a child should be our model.
4.I need to slow down. You know, smell the roses.
5.I have found the love of my life, my one and only.
6.Sadness and pain have a purpose.
7.The only valid role models should be Jesus and the saints.
8.We should understand that we're not perfect. We'll never be perfect.
9.That family should play a more important part in society than it does now.
10.That parents should play a key role in their childrens education.
11.A friend is one of the best gifts you can get.
12.Thunderstorms are the best kind of symphony.
13.We should hug more.
14.We wont be able to save the world from wars, because this world and the people in it are imperfect.
15.That doesn't mean we should stop trying.
16.True love does not mean "never having saying you're sorry."
17. True love is the exact opposite.
18. We should all stop being cosmopolitan and start focusing on family.
19.Teachers aren't thanked enough for the work they do.
20.In the arms of my man, I feel truly blessed and loved.
So yeah. There's my list. I hope you appreciate it. If you don't...sucks for you, I guess. :-)
Well, I must be going now. I have Education homework to tend to.
See ya, homies!
Alycia
At first I thought it was just a cute little diddly. But Tarak is a really deep kid. He has the capacity for understanding so many things that I never even imagined of in Kindergarten.
So, inspired by Tarak's list, I decided to make one of my own.
I Believe...
1.That as big as this universe is, and how little we may seem, God put us here for a reason.
2.We should be able to walk down the sidewalk singing at the top of our lungs...and NOT get strange looks.
3.That the trust of a child should be our model.
4.I need to slow down. You know, smell the roses.
5.I have found the love of my life, my one and only.
6.Sadness and pain have a purpose.
7.The only valid role models should be Jesus and the saints.
8.We should understand that we're not perfect. We'll never be perfect.
9.That family should play a more important part in society than it does now.
10.That parents should play a key role in their childrens education.
11.A friend is one of the best gifts you can get.
12.Thunderstorms are the best kind of symphony.
13.We should hug more.
14.We wont be able to save the world from wars, because this world and the people in it are imperfect.
15.That doesn't mean we should stop trying.
16.True love does not mean "never having saying you're sorry."
17. True love is the exact opposite.
18. We should all stop being cosmopolitan and start focusing on family.
19.Teachers aren't thanked enough for the work they do.
20.In the arms of my man, I feel truly blessed and loved.
So yeah. There's my list. I hope you appreciate it. If you don't...sucks for you, I guess. :-)
Well, I must be going now. I have Education homework to tend to.
See ya, homies!
Alycia
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