Philosophers
I relate strongly to Dewy as a philosopher. I love the idea of learning by doing. I believe that getting in there and actually trying or doing something helps a student to remember it better. I also would like to create a learning environment in which my students can have a meaningful relationship with learning. This goes back to helping students make a personal connection to the curriculum they are studying. I would also like to be involved in teaching my students life skills that they can use as adults in society.
There were other philosophers that I identified with but mostly pieces of their philosophies and not their entire beliefs. Booker T. Washington thought the goal of education would lead to economic self-reliance. I feel that by being self-reliant a person feels better about themselves and their society. Mann believed that teachers need to be competent and taught how to teach. I feel strongly that a teacher can teach any subject as long as they are a good teacher and use their resources to find the knowledge and facts that they need to pass on to their students. These are just two of the examples of the pieces that I identified with.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Philosophy
Philosophy
We took a test in class to determine our philosophy style; I found out that I am a pragmatist. I do agree with most of the concepts of pragmatism such as truth is determined by function or consequences. I have very strong beliefs that education should be student centered. The curriculum should be engaging and involved. Students should also be able to relate to their curriculum on a personal level. I also fell that there should be a connection between the subjects or classes that the students attend so that they have a better understanding of how the subject matter relates to the world as a whole.
The teacher’s role for a pragmatist relates closely to what is expected of a teacher in my profession. I will be modeling different types of thought processes for my students to help them grasp overall concepts and encourage them to question their previous assumptions and knowledge. Often times in Special education it is a matter of directing the thought process in a different direction, one that the student can better understand and relate to as an individual.
As a teacher I want to bring back the why for my students. When a child is young and having new experiences every day and learning from them they are asking “Why?” They often do this as a constant repetition, which as adults and teachers we lose patience with. By bringing the why back I hope to encourage my students to want to explore and grater vast reams of knowledge to answer the why for them as an individual.
My second philosophy style was existentialism. I believe that the reason I related to this style is because an existentialist feels that every student is an individual that is capable of authentic and reasonable choices. By helping my students make the better choices and showing them that they can achieve their goals academically, I feel that they will succeed in life as well. I also identify with the more personal teacher-student relationship. I will have a better chance to get to know my individual students and interact with them as people. This will allow me to direct them toward the connection they need to make with their education as a life long learner.
We took a test in class to determine our philosophy style; I found out that I am a pragmatist. I do agree with most of the concepts of pragmatism such as truth is determined by function or consequences. I have very strong beliefs that education should be student centered. The curriculum should be engaging and involved. Students should also be able to relate to their curriculum on a personal level. I also fell that there should be a connection between the subjects or classes that the students attend so that they have a better understanding of how the subject matter relates to the world as a whole.
The teacher’s role for a pragmatist relates closely to what is expected of a teacher in my profession. I will be modeling different types of thought processes for my students to help them grasp overall concepts and encourage them to question their previous assumptions and knowledge. Often times in Special education it is a matter of directing the thought process in a different direction, one that the student can better understand and relate to as an individual.
As a teacher I want to bring back the why for my students. When a child is young and having new experiences every day and learning from them they are asking “Why?” They often do this as a constant repetition, which as adults and teachers we lose patience with. By bringing the why back I hope to encourage my students to want to explore and grater vast reams of knowledge to answer the why for them as an individual.
My second philosophy style was existentialism. I believe that the reason I related to this style is because an existentialist feels that every student is an individual that is capable of authentic and reasonable choices. By helping my students make the better choices and showing them that they can achieve their goals academically, I feel that they will succeed in life as well. I also identify with the more personal teacher-student relationship. I will have a better chance to get to know my individual students and interact with them as people. This will allow me to direct them toward the connection they need to make with their education as a life long learner.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Experiential Education
Experiential Education
I liked the presentation and though that Megan and Michael did a great job considering that they had technological glitches. The activity was interesting in that no one took offence to the suggestions that were made to their individual “lesson plans”. I liked that they described involving students in education as rational logical thought. By incorporating the student’s experiences in the educational process the students are able to relate the material to their own lives and are more apt to take ownership of their education.
I noticed that some of the comments made to the “lessons” provided ways to bring in other aspects of education, such as adding a history element to a science lesson or adding a music element to a writing lesson. Students can benefit from these ideas as they will be able to make connections to other classes as well as connections to their own experiences if for example they have no connection to science the history aspect can give them the connection they need.
They mentioned people such as Kant, Erickson and Dewy which I am familiar with. I have actually done some classes on experiential learning and often bring that aspect of my own experiences into the learning process. I relate the BLOGs to the ELC (experiential learning cycles) as we get information, and experience it as well as reflect in the process and what we have learned from the experience.
They mentioned two references that I will investigate further on my own, One being a book by KOLB and the other being FOXFIRE. I am going to take advantages of the links provided on the wiki also.
I have to say that the presentation was informative was well done. They not only told us what experiential learning was they let us experience it first hand. Great job.
I liked the presentation and though that Megan and Michael did a great job considering that they had technological glitches. The activity was interesting in that no one took offence to the suggestions that were made to their individual “lesson plans”. I liked that they described involving students in education as rational logical thought. By incorporating the student’s experiences in the educational process the students are able to relate the material to their own lives and are more apt to take ownership of their education.
I noticed that some of the comments made to the “lessons” provided ways to bring in other aspects of education, such as adding a history element to a science lesson or adding a music element to a writing lesson. Students can benefit from these ideas as they will be able to make connections to other classes as well as connections to their own experiences if for example they have no connection to science the history aspect can give them the connection they need.
They mentioned people such as Kant, Erickson and Dewy which I am familiar with. I have actually done some classes on experiential learning and often bring that aspect of my own experiences into the learning process. I relate the BLOGs to the ELC (experiential learning cycles) as we get information, and experience it as well as reflect in the process and what we have learned from the experience.
They mentioned two references that I will investigate further on my own, One being a book by KOLB and the other being FOXFIRE. I am going to take advantages of the links provided on the wiki also.
I have to say that the presentation was informative was well done. They not only told us what experiential learning was they let us experience it first hand. Great job.
Motivation
Motivation
I really enjoyed the presentation by Sean and Tyler. The quiz on what type of teacher you are was fun and informative.
They mentioned differentiated learning in the presentation also which I was very interested in. Some of the key aspects like keeping students curious, designing lessons around students interests I felt crossed with integrated curriculum to some extent. I also related it to the types of things that Erin did in Teach With Your Heart. They also mentioned that multiple intelligence tests can give the teacher a better understanding of the students and what types of teaching would best benefit them.
I especially liked the Low Slow Soft description that they gave. It is a wonderful classroom management technique. It is also a great way to gain students respect as they will notice that you are not dictating, or “yelling at them” all the time and they will in turn incorporate the same type of voice for their responses. It makes a great classroom atmosphere.
I had a few questions; one was how, when having several different types of students in the classroom, would you motivate the entire class? Would you be able to motivate them all at once? Second for those students with special needs that have difficulty making decisions and choices how would you give choices that always benefited the education process? Would you be able to give them the same choices as other students, and would they take ownership of those choices and become intrinsically motivated?
I really enjoyed the presentation by Sean and Tyler. The quiz on what type of teacher you are was fun and informative.
They mentioned differentiated learning in the presentation also which I was very interested in. Some of the key aspects like keeping students curious, designing lessons around students interests I felt crossed with integrated curriculum to some extent. I also related it to the types of things that Erin did in Teach With Your Heart. They also mentioned that multiple intelligence tests can give the teacher a better understanding of the students and what types of teaching would best benefit them.
I especially liked the Low Slow Soft description that they gave. It is a wonderful classroom management technique. It is also a great way to gain students respect as they will notice that you are not dictating, or “yelling at them” all the time and they will in turn incorporate the same type of voice for their responses. It makes a great classroom atmosphere.
I had a few questions; one was how, when having several different types of students in the classroom, would you motivate the entire class? Would you be able to motivate them all at once? Second for those students with special needs that have difficulty making decisions and choices how would you give choices that always benefited the education process? Would you be able to give them the same choices as other students, and would they take ownership of those choices and become intrinsically motivated?
Teach With Yur Heart
Teach With Your heart
We have completed the book and discussed it in class. I however do not feel that the story is complete. As we had discussed the last time in class some of us want to know what is happening to the students and to Erin today.
Erin is away at a speaking engagement when she gets the news that her dad has passed away. It took this major event for her to realize how much she had missed or given up for her teaching and for her students. I often wondered throughout the book if she was using her students to replace the solidarity she felt at home. Perhaps the connection she made with her student was made so powerful and was accomplished as easily as it was, as she herself felt as if she did not belong anywhere. She received no support from her colleagues or her husband and at first even her dad cautioned her.
Her dad became a great strength for Erin to rely on that she did not think would ever not be there. She continued to drive herself and did not deal with many personal issues at all. It was mentioned in class that there needs to be balance between ones personal life and their professional life. Some students identified with Erin as they see themselves not as a workaholic but as someone who works to cope with other stresses in their lives. I personally think that it easier to achieve balance in a relationship/job aspect after one or the other has mature. I do not think that having a new career and a new marriage or relationship blend well together. If having a career is important to you there is a chance that you will neglect the relationship and grow apart instead of together. If having a good relationship is important that your career may be neglected and not progress as you had envisioned. Erin gave up a lot in her life however she may have found the stability in her career so that now she can give a little more attention to the personal aspects of her life.
I found it interesting that in class we were judging Erin and her life as well as her book and the part of the importance of the book was that we should not judge people as it shows prejudices. Over all I liked the book, it was not however something that I would seek out to read. Due to my concentration (Special Education) I have read more books about abuse and cultural differences that actual diversity in the classroom. I will definitely take different aspects of this book and put them to use in my career.
We have completed the book and discussed it in class. I however do not feel that the story is complete. As we had discussed the last time in class some of us want to know what is happening to the students and to Erin today.
Erin is away at a speaking engagement when she gets the news that her dad has passed away. It took this major event for her to realize how much she had missed or given up for her teaching and for her students. I often wondered throughout the book if she was using her students to replace the solidarity she felt at home. Perhaps the connection she made with her student was made so powerful and was accomplished as easily as it was, as she herself felt as if she did not belong anywhere. She received no support from her colleagues or her husband and at first even her dad cautioned her.
Her dad became a great strength for Erin to rely on that she did not think would ever not be there. She continued to drive herself and did not deal with many personal issues at all. It was mentioned in class that there needs to be balance between ones personal life and their professional life. Some students identified with Erin as they see themselves not as a workaholic but as someone who works to cope with other stresses in their lives. I personally think that it easier to achieve balance in a relationship/job aspect after one or the other has mature. I do not think that having a new career and a new marriage or relationship blend well together. If having a career is important to you there is a chance that you will neglect the relationship and grow apart instead of together. If having a good relationship is important that your career may be neglected and not progress as you had envisioned. Erin gave up a lot in her life however she may have found the stability in her career so that now she can give a little more attention to the personal aspects of her life.
I found it interesting that in class we were judging Erin and her life as well as her book and the part of the importance of the book was that we should not judge people as it shows prejudices. Over all I liked the book, it was not however something that I would seek out to read. Due to my concentration (Special Education) I have read more books about abuse and cultural differences that actual diversity in the classroom. I will definitely take different aspects of this book and put them to use in my career.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Article Nation At Risk
What is happening today?
NATION AT RISK
This article addressed issues in education. It sated that there needed to be changes if we were to compete with other countries in world markets. Some of the key phrases were “Commit to life long learning” “improve the preparation for teachers” and”make education competitive”. Because of this new stand in education (20 years ago) standards were introduced. It has taken the nation’s education system the 20 years to catch up with some of the suggestions in the article and we still have not accomplished all that we should have. In order to retain the power and influence the United States holds we need to improve our educational system. As the article pointed out education should take priority with national defense and social security.
Some comments made about the article suggested that it was more of a political statement or a way of pointing blame away from the current administration. It was also stated the article seeks to equate educational reform with American Superiority. The youth of today has improved from those of the past. It seems that no one is reporting the good or the accomplishments made in the field of education.
Grades were mentioned also, there is always a need to measure the accomplishments of a student, a school, or a system; however grades should not reflect the entire aspect of education, achievement or ability. If we have to be competitive with or better than other countries perhaps we should adopt their standards, just a thought.
Life long learning is a statement that we all seemed to agree with, we discussed ways that that might be accomplished. Treating each experience a as chance to learn, show students that learning does not have to be regulated to a classroom, getting parents involved in motivating students, and encouraging students to always keep their minds open.
NATION AT RISK
This article addressed issues in education. It sated that there needed to be changes if we were to compete with other countries in world markets. Some of the key phrases were “Commit to life long learning” “improve the preparation for teachers” and”make education competitive”. Because of this new stand in education (20 years ago) standards were introduced. It has taken the nation’s education system the 20 years to catch up with some of the suggestions in the article and we still have not accomplished all that we should have. In order to retain the power and influence the United States holds we need to improve our educational system. As the article pointed out education should take priority with national defense and social security.
Some comments made about the article suggested that it was more of a political statement or a way of pointing blame away from the current administration. It was also stated the article seeks to equate educational reform with American Superiority. The youth of today has improved from those of the past. It seems that no one is reporting the good or the accomplishments made in the field of education.
Grades were mentioned also, there is always a need to measure the accomplishments of a student, a school, or a system; however grades should not reflect the entire aspect of education, achievement or ability. If we have to be competitive with or better than other countries perhaps we should adopt their standards, just a thought.
Life long learning is a statement that we all seemed to agree with, we discussed ways that that might be accomplished. Treating each experience a as chance to learn, show students that learning does not have to be regulated to a classroom, getting parents involved in motivating students, and encouraging students to always keep their minds open.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Promising Futures
Promising Futures
I liked the book, it was an easy read and even easier to agree with. I thought the snapshots were fluff and not something we will see every day in our teaching. Promising Futures is laid out by fifteen steps and I was wondering if every school that becomes or is a promising future school adheres to those steps, or do they get to adjust if necessary? The Maine Learning Results and the Maine standards for curriculum can be rolled into these steps quite easily; I am assuming that they were intending it to be that way. It only makes sense to do it that way because of NCLB and schools being held to meeting the standards. Implementing a step plan that is easy to follow and is almost ideal in how a school can achieve its goals would make it much easier.
I am not sure how I feel about “study hall or not” some students do actually benefit from it. There are those students that are mature enough to know how to use time wisely. I was not one of those students however I did use my study hall to socialize some which was and is an important aspect of education. We seem to forget that some people need others to relate to and a free period during the school day may be the only place some students get to do that. Taking that away from some students may cause more behavioral and academic problems for them. I would like to see the teachers become more involved with the students in developing what would work best for each school. It may be that some students have a game or social period and others have a work or tutor period.
I feel that there are going to be more promising future schools in the near future (funny). I feel that they are necessary and fit in well with the current trends of collaboration and curriculum integration. I am going to refer back to this book often in my teaching career. It has good information and good ideas that I can use, and it gives a quicker understanding of the principles set by the Maine Education Commission.
I liked the book, it was an easy read and even easier to agree with. I thought the snapshots were fluff and not something we will see every day in our teaching. Promising Futures is laid out by fifteen steps and I was wondering if every school that becomes or is a promising future school adheres to those steps, or do they get to adjust if necessary? The Maine Learning Results and the Maine standards for curriculum can be rolled into these steps quite easily; I am assuming that they were intending it to be that way. It only makes sense to do it that way because of NCLB and schools being held to meeting the standards. Implementing a step plan that is easy to follow and is almost ideal in how a school can achieve its goals would make it much easier.
I am not sure how I feel about “study hall or not” some students do actually benefit from it. There are those students that are mature enough to know how to use time wisely. I was not one of those students however I did use my study hall to socialize some which was and is an important aspect of education. We seem to forget that some people need others to relate to and a free period during the school day may be the only place some students get to do that. Taking that away from some students may cause more behavioral and academic problems for them. I would like to see the teachers become more involved with the students in developing what would work best for each school. It may be that some students have a game or social period and others have a work or tutor period.
I feel that there are going to be more promising future schools in the near future (funny). I feel that they are necessary and fit in well with the current trends of collaboration and curriculum integration. I am going to refer back to this book often in my teaching career. It has good information and good ideas that I can use, and it gives a quicker understanding of the principles set by the Maine Education Commission.
TWYH
TYWH
So Erin has finally gotten a divorce. As we all saw her husband never really understood her dedication to her students and did not give her he support the she deserved. I can relate to that on some level; I am POSITIVE WITHOUT A DOUBT that everyone can learn they just have to be taught in a way that they can understand and relate to. My husband does not agree he feels that “those kids” shouldn’t be in the classroom with the other students. We have agreed to disagree; I have won him over quite a bit in the last four years. I’m not giving up hope.
The trip to Washington, was a slap in the face to Erin’s students they were disillusioned once again by prejudice. They had become such a tight group that they were able to overcome their disappointment and make a positive impact on their surroundings. They posted flyers over the swastikas and held a vigil. The whole trip was an emotional rollercoaster, including the arrival at home.
I personally felt like there was a setback, everything that this small group had accomplished and overcome and all the public is interested in is the current violent crime. Some people say we are becoming desensitized toward violence as we see so much of it in the world through the media. I want to know why we don’t celebrate the good with a new festival when it happens, as we never see it should be the biggest news story. Right?
The support the Erin gets from John Tu is amazing. I think what he gets from helping her class is more rewarding to him that they realize. I feel like he is warming his own heart by giving so much of it to those who would otherwise never know compassion and hope. Erin teaches with her heart and John Tu gives with his. I
I have recommended this book to several people including my book club. They all love it, and can’t wait to finish it.
So Erin has finally gotten a divorce. As we all saw her husband never really understood her dedication to her students and did not give her he support the she deserved. I can relate to that on some level; I am POSITIVE WITHOUT A DOUBT that everyone can learn they just have to be taught in a way that they can understand and relate to. My husband does not agree he feels that “those kids” shouldn’t be in the classroom with the other students. We have agreed to disagree; I have won him over quite a bit in the last four years. I’m not giving up hope.
The trip to Washington, was a slap in the face to Erin’s students they were disillusioned once again by prejudice. They had become such a tight group that they were able to overcome their disappointment and make a positive impact on their surroundings. They posted flyers over the swastikas and held a vigil. The whole trip was an emotional rollercoaster, including the arrival at home.
I personally felt like there was a setback, everything that this small group had accomplished and overcome and all the public is interested in is the current violent crime. Some people say we are becoming desensitized toward violence as we see so much of it in the world through the media. I want to know why we don’t celebrate the good with a new festival when it happens, as we never see it should be the biggest news story. Right?
The support the Erin gets from John Tu is amazing. I think what he gets from helping her class is more rewarding to him that they realize. I feel like he is warming his own heart by giving so much of it to those who would otherwise never know compassion and hope. Erin teaches with her heart and John Tu gives with his. I
I have recommended this book to several people including my book club. They all love it, and can’t wait to finish it.
Multicultural Education
Multicultural Education
What is culture? That question is often answered by referring to someone’s ethnic background; I liked the fact the Stacy and Chelsea included, race, age, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and religion. It always seems to me that there is too much focus on one aspect of multicultural education and little is said about others. I often get tired of teachers and adults in the community; like those in the video we watched, telling our students that they need to be tolerant of others and accept them for who they are but when something makes them uncomfortable they simply try to eradicate from their schools. It would be nice if they remembered that the schools are for the students and they are the ones that need to be comfortable.
I noticed that Stacy and Chelsea pointed out that visual judgment should be kept out of teaching. I thought that was a powerful statement. It has been around for a long time and said many ways, such as you can’t judge a book by its cover. I feel that in schools today there is more pressure from the adults to put on a book cover so that the students all fit into a mold of the teachers choosing. In my teaching I will encounter students who have broken the mold so to speak and I am looking forward to seeing just what is written on the inside pages of each of their individual books.
I wish there was more information on assessment, testing, and evaluating a student’s performance appropriately and doing these while being culturally sensitive to all the cultures. I feel like there will always be something left unchecked or misunderstood by some one no matter how hard we try. Going into Special Education I will be noting AYP for all my students so this could directly affect my profession. I will keep a close watch on the changes when they come.
The presentation was engaging, informative, interesting and enlightening. Chelsea and Stacy did a great job and worked well as a team. I learned several things that I will bring into my teaching. The most important one is the “no visual judgment”.
What is culture? That question is often answered by referring to someone’s ethnic background; I liked the fact the Stacy and Chelsea included, race, age, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and religion. It always seems to me that there is too much focus on one aspect of multicultural education and little is said about others. I often get tired of teachers and adults in the community; like those in the video we watched, telling our students that they need to be tolerant of others and accept them for who they are but when something makes them uncomfortable they simply try to eradicate from their schools. It would be nice if they remembered that the schools are for the students and they are the ones that need to be comfortable.
I noticed that Stacy and Chelsea pointed out that visual judgment should be kept out of teaching. I thought that was a powerful statement. It has been around for a long time and said many ways, such as you can’t judge a book by its cover. I feel that in schools today there is more pressure from the adults to put on a book cover so that the students all fit into a mold of the teachers choosing. In my teaching I will encounter students who have broken the mold so to speak and I am looking forward to seeing just what is written on the inside pages of each of their individual books.
I wish there was more information on assessment, testing, and evaluating a student’s performance appropriately and doing these while being culturally sensitive to all the cultures. I feel like there will always be something left unchecked or misunderstood by some one no matter how hard we try. Going into Special Education I will be noting AYP for all my students so this could directly affect my profession. I will keep a close watch on the changes when they come.
The presentation was engaging, informative, interesting and enlightening. Chelsea and Stacy did a great job and worked well as a team. I learned several things that I will bring into my teaching. The most important one is the “no visual judgment”.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
TWYH
TYWH
“STUFF” happened in the life of Tommy that made me think of two incidents at the local school where my children graduated. First I got a phone call asking “Why isn’t Brad in School? Is he afraid to come to school and has he mentioned any thing to you about an altercation?” I was clueless…. It would seem that my son stepped in to defend someone and the other person took great offense and threatened him with a gun. My son never mentioned it. He was on a snowmobile trip with his dad when I got the call; he didn’t mention it because he did not take the kid seriously. That was just 7 years ago.
It opened my eyes real fast, it seemed like every year it got worse and I just wanted my kids to graduate. I think that is how Mrs. G felt; she wanted them to excel but also to have a way out and an end to their own personal war. By showing them that they were as smart and as valuable as everyone else she gave them the desire to push through the hardships.
Her new connection to the parents of her students was amazing. I feel like the parents felt like someone finally cared about their children as much as they did and it gave them a new purpose and a renewed hope for the future. The pride that the parents have in their children only reinforces what Mrs. G. is trying to accomplish in her teaching.
I am a little jealous of Mrs. G.’s students with all the famous people that they get to meet, and field trips they have as well as all the celebrating. I am looking forward to re-reading the next section.
“STUFF” happened in the life of Tommy that made me think of two incidents at the local school where my children graduated. First I got a phone call asking “Why isn’t Brad in School? Is he afraid to come to school and has he mentioned any thing to you about an altercation?” I was clueless…. It would seem that my son stepped in to defend someone and the other person took great offense and threatened him with a gun. My son never mentioned it. He was on a snowmobile trip with his dad when I got the call; he didn’t mention it because he did not take the kid seriously. That was just 7 years ago.
It opened my eyes real fast, it seemed like every year it got worse and I just wanted my kids to graduate. I think that is how Mrs. G felt; she wanted them to excel but also to have a way out and an end to their own personal war. By showing them that they were as smart and as valuable as everyone else she gave them the desire to push through the hardships.
Her new connection to the parents of her students was amazing. I feel like the parents felt like someone finally cared about their children as much as they did and it gave them a new purpose and a renewed hope for the future. The pride that the parents have in their children only reinforces what Mrs. G. is trying to accomplish in her teaching.
I am a little jealous of Mrs. G.’s students with all the famous people that they get to meet, and field trips they have as well as all the celebrating. I am looking forward to re-reading the next section.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Entry #2
TYWH
“Mrs. G” helped her students even after they left her class. The dedication and caring she showed toward her students is rare today. She took them to meet people and visit places that they could not have imagined with another teacher. Her connections and her exposure through the media benefited her students both financially and psychologically. They received a sense of pride and belonging in the bigger picture. Before the only connection they had was with the violent world they braved each day.
The new students that come into “Mrs. G’s” room seat themselves in a “mirror image” of her previous class, by segregating themselves into groups. Initially she has trouble connecting with this group of students. There are several reasons that could be attributed to this. The fact that she is being more careful regarding her peers, she could be being more careful of the connection she is willing to make so she will not be hurt when they have to move on. I have to wonder if the reason was that she was treating them as she had her previous class. It took her a while to settle in and realize that they were not just like her previous students. Everything had turned out great with her other students, so I felt that she went forward without first making a connection. Once the connection was established she helped her students triumph over adversity and prejudice.
I’m still nervous about my interview.
“Mrs. G” helped her students even after they left her class. The dedication and caring she showed toward her students is rare today. She took them to meet people and visit places that they could not have imagined with another teacher. Her connections and her exposure through the media benefited her students both financially and psychologically. They received a sense of pride and belonging in the bigger picture. Before the only connection they had was with the violent world they braved each day.
The new students that come into “Mrs. G’s” room seat themselves in a “mirror image” of her previous class, by segregating themselves into groups. Initially she has trouble connecting with this group of students. There are several reasons that could be attributed to this. The fact that she is being more careful regarding her peers, she could be being more careful of the connection she is willing to make so she will not be hurt when they have to move on. I have to wonder if the reason was that she was treating them as she had her previous class. It took her a while to settle in and realize that they were not just like her previous students. Everything had turned out great with her other students, so I felt that she went forward without first making a connection. Once the connection was established she helped her students triumph over adversity and prejudice.
I’m still nervous about my interview.
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