To be Completed by July 8th
In the article "White Women's Work"
a) The author notes that many White female teachers head into inner city schools with a savior or missionary mentality. Why is this a barrier for these teachers?
b) According to this chapter, why should teachers not pass judgment on a student's culture?
c) As a teacher articulate the power you have in shaping the future of a student. Articulate how what you engage in instructionally and how you treat your students have a direct correlation to what they become in life?
In the article "I don't understand why my African American Students are not Achieving"
a) Do you believe you have what it takes to be a good and effective teacher of students who look like you or come from a similar economic background regardless of race? Explain
b) Do you believe you have it takes to be a good teacher of urban students who come from urban communities who may be economically challenged? Explain
Mentoring
a) How was your mentoring this week? What things did your mentor teacher help you with and did it assist you in any way? Please explain
“White Women’s Work”
ReplyDeleteA) White teachers that go into urban schools thinking they are going to “save” the students are wrong to even put themselves on such a pedestal in the first place. Like the author said, many of them find out that actually they are the ones that needed to change and grow. The “savior” mentality only creates a larger gap between the teacher and students because the teacher is in a sense placing herself at such a distance from the kids. Instead of trying to create a relationship with the students and connect with them on a more personal level, the teacher is distancing herself from the students, which they can sense. White teachers need to try to bond with the students and get to know them and learn from them to cross that barrier between them and create a positive learning environment.
“White Women’s Work”
DeleteB) This chapter discusses cultural literacy, which occurs when you learn and understand about other cultures. Cultural literacy really helps teachers to better understand their students, which leads to better lessons that engage and reach a diversity of students. In order for teachers to obtain cultural literacy of the cultures of the students, he/she must talk to the students and learn about their lives, families, hobbies, and as much information as the students will share. Cultural literacy leads to acceptance and respect of other cultures as well as awareness of your own culture and perspectives on other cultures. This can really help teachers have an open mind to the students’ cultures and show the students that they are respected, supported, and able to be themselves in the classroom. This may also help the students to be respectful of the teacher and respectful of other cultures that are different from their own. Teachers need to lead by example by not passing judgment on the students’ culture but instead being respectful and interested in learning about their culture.
“White Women’s Work”
DeleteC) I think that I have a lot of not only influence on the students’ lives, but also responsibility to foster their academic, emotional, and social development. When I think back to my own schooling, I can’t remember specific things that I learned from specific teachers, but I can remember the way they made me feel. As I develop my own teaching identity, I want to make sure that I use more optimism and less negativity and also that I not only have high expectations of my students but also encourage and motivate the students to reach those expectations. The amount of time and effort I put into planning lessons, my preparedness, and my attitude are all factors that will affect how successful the students are. Their success in the classroom improves their own expectations of themselves and their self esteem. These are the things they can carry with them beyond my classroom and into their futures. My goal is to empower the students and encourage them to reach their full potentials. If I can start those positive habits in my classroom, then hopefully they will carry on with the students into their futures.
“I don’t Understand why my African American Students aren’t Achieving”
DeleteA) Honestly, I think I am working hard and doing my best to become an effective and good teacher. I think that yes, I am more comfortable working with students who have racial, cultural, and/or economic backgrounds similar to mine because that is what I know and what I am experienced in, personally. However, I know that this summer is the first time I have managed and taught in my own classroom, and I have learned so much. I have learned about good and effective teaching in a classroom that is mostly comprised of student that have a different culture and economic background than myself. I think there is a wealth of information and experience in my future. My excitement for learning and bettering myself is what I think it takes, and what I have, to become a better, more effective teacher.
B) I think that from my experience this summer, I certainly know much more now about urban students who are economically challenged than I did before I had this opportunity. Like I said in the previous answer, I know that I am a brand new teacher with much to learn about what it is to be a good, effective teacher to a diverse population of students. I think that I do have what it takes to be a good teacher to a diversity of students because I want to learn more about students of all cultural and economic backgrounds. I will repeat myself from my previous answer in that my excitement to learn more and my desire to be a good teacher to all students is, I think, what will help me become a better and more effective teacher.
Mentoring
DeleteMy mentor teacher was, again, super this week! She is always coming in to check on me and see if there is anything I need. She sat in on one of my class’s review Thursday, and she explained a different way to solve a problem that I think really helped the students see a new way to work the problem out and helped many of them. Since I am not a math major, she really helped me out there because I would never have thought about doing it the way she did it. She is always so patient with me when I don’t know exactly the proper way of doing something, due to my inexperience with math, and I really have so much gratitude and respect for her.
1a. This is a barrier because most white female teachers with this savior mentality must change their beliefs and attitudes first. Why even enter with a savior mentality, no one needs saving the students only need effective instruction from the books and life experiences. When these are delivered to the students in an effective everyone is saved, the student, the teacher, and the world. The urban student is totally dependent on the school to give them the tools needed to experience a positive life. Don't try to save the students, just deliver effective instructions, and they will save themselves.
ReplyDelete1b. Teachers should not pass judgement on a students culture because a students culture is very important to the student. This is where the student eats, sleeps, and returns to everyday. To judge the students culture will lead to total chaos for the teacher at school and in the community.
1c. Teachers have tremendous power in shaping a students life. Students spend more time with the teacher than they do at home. Most of the students behavior is based on experiences at school, so we must have students involved in positive experiences throughout the day. Students watch teachers and often imitate and duplicate what they see. Teachers must be fair and consistent always aware that our students are learning.
2a. I do believe I have what it takes to be a good, effective teacher of students who come from similar backgrounds, regardless of race. I can relate to all students and have a genuine interest in all students achieving success. I will listen to my students and not think I have all the answers, because sometimes a student can tell you something you didn't know.
2b. I believe I can teach urban students who may be economically challenged. I have received extensive training in teaching students from diverse and economically challenged environments and welcome the opportunity to open them up to the advantages of education. When these students learn and apply this new knowledge to their everyday lives a change will come that will lead them to want more. Teachers must be ready when this change occurs and teach, teach, teach, because you have arrived. Now you know you can teach urban students who bring to school each day many varied and unusual challenges.
3a. Mentoring this week was more relaxed. This is the final week and we should be doing well with our class. My mentor teacher observed me with my review and suggested I play a game with the review as some of my students were not engaged the entire lesson. I accepted the feedback and will incorporate a game into my next class review.
1a)It is a barrier for teachers to come into an urban school and think that they can be the savior to the students. It is a barrier because they are giving an impression that they are above the students, if you want to help the students than you need to show them that you can relate to them and that they are equal to you. Most of the time I have found that my students right now save me, I have learned so much from working with these students these few weeks.
ReplyDelete1b)Teachers should not judge a student's culture because that is who the student is. The teacher would not want the student to judge their own culture. Teachers should learn from their student's culture and be more accepting.
1c)As a teacher I would hope that I could effect my students' lives positively. I want them to know that I believe in them and that I believe that they can succeed and have a better life if they do their best. In my lessons I would like to relate the curriculum more to my students personal lives, make them understand why it is important to learn the material. If they see how I push them to do their best than maybe their outlook on their future will be more positive.
2a)Of course I would feel comfortable being an effective teacher for students who are similar to me in looks and economic status. After doing this program though, I think I could also be an effective teacher to students who are different from me. This is not my first time working with students like this, but this is my first time running my own classroom, I feel much more confident about teaching these students. I enjoy seeing them learning and asking more questions while having fun at the same time.
2b)Honestly I think I do have what it takes to teach students from urban communities. Of course I could always learn more and improve, I need lots of improvement. I have learned so much being a teacher in this program, I have learned a lot about teaching in an urban community and how to reach these students.
3) I did not see my mentor teacher this week,but other mentor teachers were there to help me with my smartboard when it was acting crazy one morning. Other than that I really did not seek to have help from the mentors, I wanted to try to do things on my own.
1a)It is a barrier for white teachers to have this mentality because this view can communicate to the the kids that they have a problem and that only white teachers can fix it. Students do not want teachers to look at them as problems but as someone they can relate with. Also this view gives students that the teachers are better than the students. If students feel that the teachers think they are better than them, they may have a tendency to shut down and not care.
ReplyDeleteb)Teachers shouldn't pass judgement on another person's culture because that is apart of who they are. By passing judgement, the teacher communicates that her (the teacher's) culture is better and more sophisticated than the culture that is being judged.Just because a culture is different doesn't make it better. Also when teachers pass judgment they tend to set limitations on what a student can and cannot do.
1c) I hope that I would have a positive effect on my students, through my engaging instruction and disciplining them consistently with positive and negative reinforcements. Not only do I want to teach them the content material but also I want to teach them that ever decision they make is a choice, whether they choose to listen and follow directions or talk to their neighbor while the teacher is giving instructions. With these choices there are positive and negative consequences. One thing I tried to do this summer is always follow through with my word, If I said I was going to do something I wanted them to know I meant it. I think teaching students accountability early in life is key to become a successful student.
2a) I think I would have what it takes to be an effective teacher. The key is to get to know your students. Of course, I feel comfortable with students who are similar to me, because I would know how to relate content material to students so they could understand it based on background experiences. We may share similar background experiences.
2b)yes I do think I have what it takes to teach students from urban areas effectively. The key I have found is trying to engage their attention and keep them on task. Every student varies whether they are different race or have different economic background than me. The key for me is to get to know my students and if my instructional techniques aren't working with a couple of students then I need to reevaluate my teaching methods and try something else.
3) We saw our mentor teacher this week, she came in to see how we were doing and what we were teaching in class. We kinda wanted to try things on our own, but of course we are always accepting good teaching tips!! :)
In the article "White Women's Work"
ReplyDeleteA.I think it is a barrier because the students do not need to be saved the way some White females may feel. Inner city students may face challenges that many of use cannot relate to. However, they are not the only ones that face challenges. Teachers may have a mentality that keeps them from fully teaching their students and being able to relate to them. Students are interested in their teachers and teachers should be interested in their students. There should not be anything holding teachers back from teaching all students.
B.Teachers should not pass judgment because every culture is unique and different. If one is not a part of that culture they may not agree with it but that goes for anyone. Teachers who judge cultures may discriminate against their students without intentionally doing it. Children feed off of how teachers treat them or react to them. Teachers need to focus on making a connection with their students no matter what their culture background is.
C.Being an inner city teacher allows me to provide an experience for the students that they may not get. Many of the students are not able to go to exploreums, museums, aquariums, etc. Being a science teacher, I can bring those different venues into the classroom with lab activities, movies, presenters, etc. I can let students know how science affects their daily lives even though many do not think so. Students need to see the relationship and then they will see the bigger picture. Also, by providing such an experience will give the students the will power and the confidence that they themselves can become scientists and inventors. Many inner city kids do not see themselves within the science filed. I can show them great individuals that contributed to society and let them know they can too.
a) This is a barrier to these teachers because they don’t necessarily realize what they have to do in order to “save” these students. These teachers must first get themselves together and change the way they think in order to provide a positive outlook for both their students and themselves. Teachers should be able to get down to the students’ levels and make that difference one step at a time.
ReplyDeleteb) Teachers should not judge students based on what they think about that student’s culture. When students are continuously judged and stereotyped, students are lead to believe that these presumptions are true. Teachers should never judge a student and they should always demonstrate fairness to each individual student.
c) I definitely feel like it is my job to shape the future of my students. As a teacher, I vow to show by students the utmost respect and expect the same in return. Showing respect to students lets them know that you do care for them and they are not lesser than anyone else. I also want my students to know that I am committed to them and their learning and they should also be committed to themselves and their learning. By being a positive role model in these students’ lives, I believe it will help them have a positive outlook on their life. By making sure these things happen in my classroom, I believe my students will have a positive outlook on life.
a) Yes, I do believe that I have what it takes to be a good and effective teacher of students who come from a similar economic background as me. I say this because this is what I am “used to”. Growing up and going to school with kids who had the similar economic background as I did, makes me feel like I can relate more and am more comfortable teaching similar students because these are the people who I have been around most of my life. Although it will take a while to master being a good and effective teacher, I definitely believe that I can do it.
b) Although it may be a little more challenging because being in an “urban community” would not be something that I am “used to”, I do believe that I can still be a good teacher. Despite these students’ economic background and communities that they were raised in, they are no different from any other student in a suburban area. They are still students. They should be able to learn and have a teacher who wants to be there to help them every step of the way. We can still teach and be effective when we teach.
a) My mentor teacher has been great. I only saw her a couple of times this week but she always stops in to check on me and to see if there is anything that I may need.
In the article "I don't understand why my African American Students are not Achieving"
ReplyDeleteA. and B.
I do believe that I can be a good and effective teacher to any student. I do not think it should matter whether the students share an economic background like mine or not. I do not judge kids based on the way they are raised. No matter what walk of life the students may come from. Everyone has issues no matter what. I judge students based on what they do within the classroom not who they are. I am not saying it will be easy. It will be a learning experience each year because each generation of students is diverse. Each year I plan to adapt to my students just like how they will have to for me. By working with my students, their parents, other teachers, and the community; I will be able to educate my kids.
A. This is a barrier for these teachers because they do not have a complete grasp on their own ideals and motives. As teachers, we are not here to be a savior to our students. Our students may have a large variety of experiences before we ever come into their lives. Those experiences may or may not be similar to ones we have personally experienced. However, urban teachers need to be culturally aware of their students backgrounds and understand the type of teaching that each student benefits from.
ReplyDeleteB. Teachers should be careful not to pass judgement on any student. Children from urban communities often deal with discrimination or negative ideas from other members of society. It is important that as these students educators, we look as each student as the unique individual that he or she is.
C. As a teacher, I have a huge opportunity to help mold the lives of my students. I may be the only positive, motivating influence in some students lives. It is extremely important that I treat that responsibility with the proper reverence that it requires. As a teacher, I will treat my students with the respect and motivation that they deserve. I believe that I could have a huge impact on my future students and plan to strive every day, every quarter, and every year to become the best teacher I can be.
A. I do believe that I have what is required to become an effective teacher to children of similar backgrounds. i believe that I have worked hard in preparing myself in skills that range from classroom management to lesson planning. I feel that I can effectively teacher students in a positive, highly motivated environment. I will teach each student that comes into my room with the respect and unbiasedness that they deserve.
B. I do believe that I have what it takes to be a good teacher to students from urban communities. I feel like my time spent in the urban schools, as both a student teacher and a substitute teacher, has helped prepare me for teaching children from these communities. I also feel like this summer enrichment program has given me the confidence that I was needed to be effective in these types of school systems. Students are fundamentally the same no matter what school district I work in. They are all children, they all have bright futures, and they can all benefit from the education I can help provide them with.
A. My mentor teacher has observed a few times in my room over the past week. However, she has been more reserved in being involved in the room and has simply provided small suggestions on what she observes. She has motivated me and encouraged me in my lessons and in my classroom management.
In the article "White Women's Work"
ReplyDeletea) The author notes that many White female teachers head into inner city schools with a savior or missionary mentality. Why is this a barrier for these teachers?
This is a barrier because many white women teachers are not familiar with the students they are about to teach, have little cultural background knowledge and did not experience this type of classroom in their preservice teaching program. I would consider myself one of the white women females who want to "save," change and impact the lives of these students. However, I know that my preservice teaching program here in Mobile had allowed me to experience and work with students from culturally different backgrounds than my own and I have a great insight into what teaching in inner city elementary schools is like.
b) According to this chapter, why should teachers not pass judgment on a student's culture?
These students did not choose the life they were brought into. These students had no say in being born to a single mother, many siblings and living in a crowded house with their Aunt or Uncle. With that said, who are teachers to sit and judge. Students need not to be judged but rather loved and shown a way to see the light. As one of the four teachers mentioned, most parents of these students are wanting the best for their children, to break the generational poverty and improve their lives.
c) As a teacher articulate the power you have in shaping the future of a student. Articulate how what you engage in instructionally and how you treat your students have a direct correlation to what they become in life?
Being a teacher to students in inner city schools from culturally different backgrounds is the place to make a difference. However, white women teachers can not make that difference without first educating themselves on the lives, interests and learning methods of the students they teach. By being prepared, bringing excitement into the classroom, and teaching in effective way and always showing you truly care about your students white women teachers will more likely than not find success in their classrooms.
In the article "I don't understand why my African American Students are not Achieving"
a) Do you believe you have what it takes to be a good and effective teacher of students who look like you or come from a similar economic background regardless of race? Explain
Yes I do feel I can effectively teach students who look like me or are growing up in a similar fashion as I did. Before even meeting the students you have a common ground, a place to share similarities and life experiences. With things in common it is the vehicle to getting to know your students interest.
b) Do you believe you have it takes to be a good teacher of urban students who come from urban communities who may be economically challenged? Explain
Yes I do, I am a good listener and I am able to connect with students on many different levels. While I may first connect with one student on a passion for reading I may connect with another student on the way out "Nannies" have influenced our lives. Each child deserves my time and my ears and I think this is a big factor on how I will connect with students and lead that into a positive learning environment.
Mentoring
a) How was your mentoring this week? What things did your mentor teacher help you with and did it assist you in any way? Please explain
My mentor teacher was great as always. I was not looking for much assistance this week but Mrs. Harris does check on me every morning and gives words of encouragement before the students arrive.
1. A.) This could serve as a barrier to teaching because the teacher is likely to have low expectations for the students. If a teacher allows herself to feel sorry for the students, it can lead to low expectations and this can then lead to being ran over by students. The teacher must remember that she is there to teach and must maintain discipline. Also, having a "savior mentality" allows the teacher to possibly see herself as better than her students.
ReplyDeleteB.) Teachers shouldn't pass judgement on students' cultures simply because they are supposed to be serve as a model If they aren't open-minded to the students' diverse cultures, they cannot expect the students to be open-minded and accepting to other students.
C.) I can answer this question on a very personal level. I know that teachers certainly have a huge impact on the future of students because my past teachers have had a large impact on my life. If not for a few teachers in high school, I would not have become interested in education. A few good teachers can definitely impact a student's life.
2. A.) I feel like I do have what it takes to be an effective teacher regardless of race. Though race should be acknowledged and talked about, students may have other traits in common, and race is not the only factor that needs to be recognized by one teacher. I do feel like I could obviously stand to learn more about other races, however I do feel like I can be an effective teacher.
B.) yes, I do feel like I have what it takes to be a good teacher of students of urban communities. I've learned that these students aren't all that different than other students. If you treat them with respect, they will respect you as a teacher.
3.) Mentoring was great this week! She checked on me and made sure I was aware of the post test. It's been great every week!
"White Women's Work"
ReplyDelete1a) The idea that as a White female teacher you are some sort of missionary or savior in an inner city school affects the way you view your students. As discussed in chapter three “Yes, but how do we do it?” this sort of thinking leads to sympathy in place of informed empathy and is of no use to our students or ourselves. For, if we see ourselves as saviors we are seeing our students as helpless. Instead we should recognize the strengths and weaknesses possessed by ourselves and by our students. In some ways White female teachers are the ones at a disadvantage as we attempt to make a place for ourselves in a community with a different culture and worldview. We need to see ourselves in a realistic view in order to begin really seeing the potential of our students.
1b) According to this chapter, when we pass judgment on the student’s culture prevents us from forming genuine relationships with our students and from understanding their full potential. To reach students of other cultures we must strive to understand their culture as well as our own. From teaching in this program I have been introduced to a myriad of cultural differences between my students and myself. One of my favorite mantras when learning a new culture is “not better or worse, just different”. Thinking of this idea when my students say things or act in ways that do not fit with my world view helps me to keep an open mind and ask them about their ideas and thoughts about what they are doing or saying. As Julie mentioned in the chapter, our kids are absolutely aware of their culture. By showing a genuine interest in how they see the world instead of trying to get them to fit into ours we are better able to teach and support our students.
1c) This chapter focused on how our thoughts and feelings about our students culture can affect how we treat them and how we teach them. As teachers it is our responsibility to teach our students; which is different from just teaching. We need to consider who our students are and how their culture affects what they need from us. As teachers we should constantly be reflecting on our teaching to consider if it appropriate for the students we are teaching. If we do not reflect on our teaching style and continually work to make our curriculum and instruction meet our students where they are we are teaching them that they are failures. We must consistently reflect on what we could do better instead of blaming the student and especially before making excuses for them by pitying them. High expectations are imperative to student success.
"I don't understand why my African American Students are not Achieving"
ReplyDelete2a & 2b) I think I can answer 2a and 2b together. I believe that I have the potential be an effective teacher of students who come from a background that is similar to my own. For the same reasons I think I will become an effective teacher of students from urban backgrounds and who may be economically challenged. I think the main idea of this chapter was to point out that the most important thing we can bring into the classroom is a good attitude and high expectations. I think students of all backgrounds want to feel important in their classrooms, they want to feel humanized by the experience. The difference in teaching students who look like me and have similar experiences to me and teaching those who look different from me and come from another background is that I need to make myself aware of the experiences and challenges of the latter. I need to be ready to make connections to their lives outside of the classroom to help them build on their knowledge. I need to be aware of my own preferences and prejudices so that I can understand them and how they affect me and how those same prejudices in our culture in general affects my students outside of the classroom.
Over the last few weeks I have been able to experience and reflect upon who I am as a teacher. There are things that I feel I am good at. I make an effort every day to say something kind to each of my students. I tell them that I do not expect them to know everything, but I do expect them to work to figure it out. I want to work on making more time to work with students individually. I know that there were some students who would have benefitted from one-on-one reading sessions, but I just was not able to meet that need. I hope when the program has ended my students know that I believe that they are hard working, kind, intelligent people who deserve respect and can achieve any goal they set for themselves if they are diligent and keep trying even if they fail at first.
Mentoring
3a) Having a mentor to help me through this program has been so important to my success. I really appreciate having someone there who I know is on my side and will help me work through any problem I encounter. I was feeling like I was not doing a great job of managing my CASE class. After asking my mentor teacher to help me with a couple of lessons she concluded that I had it under control all along and simply needed to believe in myself. Once I realized what she was saying I began to really enjoy my CASE class and my classroom management issues seemed to disappear. I can’t even really explain what changed about the class or about what I am doing. Perhaps it is similar to what was said in the chapter “I don’t understand why my African American students are not achieving.” And I simply brought a better attitude and presence to the classroom because I was sure about who I was and what I was doing.
"White Womans Work"
ReplyDeletea) It is a barrier because the teachers think they need to save these students. Teachers can not think that they are saviors. Students can tell if a teacher thinks they are trying to save them and this comes off as I'm above you. You should relate to and teach your students, not attempt to "save".
b)Passing judgment brings you right back to A^. This gives the impression that your culture is the "right" culture and therefore you are putting yourself above your students yet again.
c)How I treat my students directly correlates with what they become in life because a teacher makes a huge impact on their stufdents. I can remember how my teachers made me feel. It is a very important relationship that effects a students life because of your expectations. As I said last week, If you expect more you get more.
"I Don't Understand Why My African American Students are not Achieving"
a) Of course I believe I can teach these children. Anyone who does not believe this should not be a teacher. I think regardless to race or background you can connect to any of your students. As long as you are dependable and trustworthy. This means you show up everyday prepared and treat everyone equally.
b) I do believe I have what it takes.If I didn't then I would not be teaching this summer. I love teaching and no matter what schools you teach at you are going to have students who come from different backgrounds and who have different problems. Life issues have no color barriers.
1. A) When teachers come into the schools with this missionary mentality, they become caught up in “saving” the children. Often times the children don’t necessarily need “saving” they just need to be taught and treated the same way they would treat children in non- inner city schools. Teachers are unknowingly casting assumptions that these children need saving from their backgrounds or previous experiences just because they go to inner city schools. Teachers need to instead focus on forming positive bonds with these students that will enhance the classroom environment for all involved.
ReplyDeleteB) Teacher’s should not pass judgment on a student’s culture because majority of the time they are not fully literate on the culture of their students. Communicating successfully across cultural barriers requires teachers to be able to look at the situation from multiple view points and be willing to learn about challenges that don’t necessarily pertain to their own cultural areas. Students are aware of the culture in which they are raised and in order for teachers to be able to reach these students, he/she must be accept and understand the different cultures present in the classroom.
C) Teachers are often some of the biggest role models students have in their lives. I know from my experiences that I responded the most to teacher that showed not only a passion for what they were teaching but also for getting to know their students. If I saw that a teacher was genuinely excited about a content they were teaching, I was more eager to find ways to enjoy it also. I also found that when teachers showed genuine care in my life and on a personal level, I felt compelled to do well in class to make them proud of me just as if they were my parents. These two traits are something that I always strive to bring to my lessons and my classroom because I saw firsthand how much of an impact it can make on a student.
2. A&B) From this program, I have learned that yes, I do have what it takes to be an effective teacher to students regardless of race or different backgrounds. Students just want to be treated fairly. Generally if you show students the same behavior you expect (i.e. respect) out of them, they will give it in return. They like to see that they are being treated fairly and caringly as you expect them to treat you.
3. Mentoring was really good this week. My mentor teacher popped in a couple of times to check on me and make sure everything was going well. On a particular day when I was feeling a little stressed, she made sure to come in and check on me twice just to make sure I had everything I needed.
3A) My mentoring was great again this week! I really enjoy collabortaing and working with my mentor teacher; she has been so helpful, supportive, and resourceful! Due to last week being our last full week of teaching, she just made sure we were on the right path. She came in and observed us and provide us with postive feedback. Again, she is very helpful and a wonderful mentor!
ReplyDeleteIn the article "White Women's Work"
ReplyDeletea) When it comes to teaching, we shouldn’t pity children or try to “save” them. Yes, some may need a little “extra” attention, but we shouldn’t go in with that mindset. Kids need and want to be taught the same way, how we approach teaching them is huge. If we have positive rules, expectations, and are positive with the children, then we would have already helped them. We can’t go in with assumptions or certain mentalities.
b) Teacher’s should not pass judgment on a student’s culture because most of the time we don’t even know what we are referring to. We can’t comment if we do not know all the facts or are not there to witness. We have to see things in different lights and learn new things so we will be well informed. We also must accept all cultures regardless of our culture or what we believe.
c) Teachers have one of the biggest (if not the biggest) impact on a student. We see them 7 hours a day and for most that is more than their parents because they are sleeping in the night. We are not only role models, but we do need to have a personal connection with each student on some level. My teacher’s passion and friendship with me allowed me to realize that I want to share that with students. Students, mainly little ones, want the teacher’s approval and are proud of their work and what they achieve. How we speak to them influences them more than we know.
In the article "I don't understand why my African American Students are not Achieving"
a & b) I do think I have what it takes to be an effective teacher. I combined these two questions because I can teach all students. A big part in being able to do that is treating everyone fairly and having the same expectations for all. We also must give them the respect they deserve to get more out of them.
Mentoring
a) My mentor teacher came in my room on the last day and watched my review game. Other than that, I see her in the halls and will talk about how my day is going, what’s good or what needs work.
2A&B) I do believe I have what it takes to be a good and effective teacher to all children, regardless of race or economic beackgrounds. I feel as though I learn how to be an effective teacher every single day I am in the classroom and around different children. Although I did get a great education at USA, and they taught me how to be an effective teacher to all children, I feel like my expeirence inside the classroom has prepared me to teach all children, no matter what their backgrounds are. Even when I make mistakes, I am learning how to be a more effective teacher. I feel equally comfortable teaching children who are similar to me and children who are different than me. I get challenged with both, make mistakes with both, and learn from both, all of which help me be a more efffective teacher! If I did not feel like I was an effective teacher, I would not have been here at this summer program again or keep looking for teaching opportunities. Although I still have much to learn, I feel prepared to teach any group of children!
ReplyDeleteIn the article "White Women's Work"
ReplyDeletea) It may be a barrier for white teachers who have this mentality because the teachers may feel sorry for these students and by being their teacher they are saving them. The students are not asking to be saved. The teacher is already coming into the school and the classroom with the wrong mentality. If those teachers drop that mentality, they may learn a little bit something about themselves and they may be the ones who need saving.
b) Teachers should not pass judgment on a student’s culture because I feel like it is inappropriate and the teacher is supposed to be helping the students embrace themselves. Teachers should judge their students in general. A students’ culture is what they are made of and who they are. A teacher should be trying to learn from all of his/her students no matter their culture.
c) Students in the elementary stage are at a critical time. They observe and listen to everything that is being said by everyone. Students/children can pick up on the different emotions of people too especially teachers. I tell my students to always be polite to each other and don’t be rude and show respect. I think teachers have a huge impact on students. Most students remember their favorite teacher and their worst teacher and they remember everything that they like and dislike about those teachers. If you repeatedly tell a student they are nothing then they start to believe that they are nothing and won’t do anything with their life. If you repeatedly tell a student that they are something and they can do it then they will work towards succeeding in life.
In the article "I don't understand why my African American Students are not Achieving"
a) Yes, I believe that I have what it takes to be a good and effective teacher of students who look like me and come from the same economic background that I come from. I feel like we will have a lot in common and the students will be able to relate to me and I can relate to them inside and outside the classroom.
b) I do believe that I have what it takes to be a good and effective teacher to students who come from urban communities because I can learn from them and they can learn from me. School is learning process and I feel like I can find one thing that I have in common with all of my students so that we can relate to each other.
Mentoring
a) How was your mentoring this week? What things did your mentor teacher help you with and did it assist you in any way? Please explain
I was on my own this past week. There is not too much more that needs to be done. I still had a couple of people check on me to see how I am doing.
1A) White teachers going into urban schools thinking they are going to save the children does put up a barrier between the students and the teacher. White teachers do not need to rescue urban students, they need to form a relationship with them and get to know them as students. If a white teacher acts like a savior, then the kids can sense that the teacher is putting him/herself above the students, intentionally or unintentionally. If this does happen and this barrier does form, then the teacher will never gain a positive relationship with the students. These postive realtionships are vital to teaching because it allows insight for both students and teachers and forms trust between the two. White teachers need to go in to an urban school and teach children and not save children.
ReplyDelete1B) Teachers should not pass judgment on students' cultures because if he/she does, then he/she is demonstarting to the students that their culture is inferior to his/hers. If this happens, then no postive, trusting relationship will ever form, again creating a barrier. If barriers are created, then no real teaching or learning can take place. Teachers need to accept and tolerate everybody's culture because a child's culture is who they are and where they come from. Also, by accepting and tolerating all cultures, the teacher is modeling how to do so to all students, creating a better classroom environment and atmosphere. Everybody can learn from each other's cultures; it makes us better learners, and no judgment should ever take place.
1C) As a teacher, it is my job and repsonsibility to help students grow and succeed in academics, social, and emotional development. I believe my attitude, expectations, and actions will shape stuednts' futures. I want to tell and explain to my students that I have the highest expectations for them all, and I want to support them with a positve, optimistic attitude. I want to show them postive ways of reaching their goals and expectations. I want them to know that it doesn't matter where you come from or how you live, all students can succeed in school, with the right tools, and a big tool is a supportive, effective teacher who believes in them! I believe how I engage them and treat them will allow them to understand that they will always have the same high expectations throughout their lives. If every teacher puts all of their support and trust into each student, then all students will go throughout life knowing they deserve whatever it is they strive for in life. I can only do my part, which is support them, teach them, foster their developments, prepare myself and create great, effective lessons for them. They will know that I care about each of them and their success.
“White Women’s Work”
ReplyDeletea) The “savior” or “missionary” mentality only gives the teacher an idea that the students are inferior. It shows they don’t understand anything about the child’s life and circumstances. You cannot go in thinking you are going to save everyone because everyone hasn’t been through the same experiences. This is one reason why White women teachers need to be shown how to deal with children in inner city schools so they don’t think this way and go in knowing they are the same as any other child. They have the same thoughts and morals in some cases. They just think about getting there in different ways.
b) Teachers should not pass judgment on a student’s culture because in a lot of cases it isn’t the same as yours. If you don’t fully understand and aren’t on the same page with that student in how to react to situations or how to talk then there cant be a reason to judge. These kids grow up the way they do and it isn’t their fault. We cant judge the kids for being in certain situations and acting a certain way when that is all they’ve ever known.
c) They way I teacher has power in shaping the future of a student because the student can tell whether I care or not. They can tell if I feel awkward talking to someone of a different race. They can tell I am uncomfortable in certain situations. They can read into actions, tone, and discipline like no other. If I care and show I care, the students will know I care and in turn will care themselves. They want to be loved and appreciated. If you teach with that mentality, more children will succeed more often.
“I Don’t Understand Why My African American Students Are Not Achieving”
ReplyDeletea) I do believe I have what it takes to teacher students who look like me and come from a similar background as me. I know I teaching, they always say relate it to real life. Well, in this situation it would be easier to relate things to real life if the life they lived was like mine. I think I have been trained and educated enough to be able to teach anyone. Yes, it will all be a learning experience, but in the end I think I will be able to be effective anywhere.
b) I do believe I have what it takes to be a good teacher of urban students who come from urban communities. I think I can because in most cases, like I said earlier, everything will be a learning experience. In all my education and preparedness, I have learned too much about urban communities to not be prepared. I know I have a long way to go, but I feel confident teaching anywhere.
Mentoring
a) My mentoring was great as usual. My mentor teacher is fabulous and a blessing! My mentor teacher is always asking if she can help me in any way. She came by one morning just to sharpen my pencils!!! She is always trying to lend me a hand even when I know she is busy with other things! She is an angel and too good to me!! I was going to be late to school last week one day and she immediately helped me out by staying in my room until I could get there.
White women’s work
ReplyDeletea) I believe it is a barrier because embodying that savior mentality you put yourself in a position of superiority and think that you are better than everyone else. When technically thinking you are doing what is right, you are actually hurting others because you want everyone to be like you, rather than embracing the students’ individuality. Not everyone is a “Christian” and thinks the same as you.
b) We should not pass judgment because no two cultures are alike. Being white does make it always right. It is hard for us white teachers to fully understand our students because we turn our heads to their immaturity, problems, and diversity. Instead of thinking we are some kind of savior and doing “God’s work” and hiding behind that façade of inferiority, white teachers need to get out of the suburbs more often and read some books for once.
c) Overall, I tried to teach my students that athletics is not everything. And to change their negative attitudes and perceptions about history. I definitely tried not to yell or get attitudes with them. However, I was told early on that the option or reasoning with 6th graders is not such a good idea because they have a difficult time thinking as abstractly as I would like them to. So I shortened my statements and made them more direct, and I was constantly reinforcing to the students what is going to be expected of them when they start the 6th grade in the fall, and beyond.
I don’t understand why my African American students are not achieving
a) & b) I believe I have what it takes to be an effective teacher no matter what their genetic makeup is. I do not care if they are like me or not like me. As long as the students understand what the structure of my classroom is like, how they should act, and what they need to do day in and day out, then it does not matter what “color” they are. All students can learn, who cares if they are white or of a different color.
Mentoring
a) Not much mentoring this week since it was the last week, but overall my mentoring teacher has been wonderful. She definitely kept me on an even keel and knew when to assist when it was getting rough.
White Women's Work
ReplyDeletea) When anyone sees themselves as a "savior" they are portraying a sense of superiority. When teachers go in thinking they are better than the students, they end up allowing that to hold them back from giving their students everything they have to offer. The students can see and feel the savior mentality and it builds a wall between them and the teacher. No one wants to be looked at as charity, they just want to be loved and wanted. This mentality of the teachers also leads to quick burn out when they can't "save" everyone.
b) No one lives the same life, none of the circumstances are the same. Teachers shouldn't pass judgements on the students lives because teachers have to no right. Once again judgment is lack of knowledge and also a form of superiority. Cultures are different everywhere you go and each culture sees things a certain way. Teachers shouldn't pass judgment because they are unaware of what is acceptable in a certain culture. There is not a perfect culture that does everything the right way. Teachers need to embrace the culture of their students to teach them to be successful individuals.
c) Students come to school with a little bit of background knowledge and in most cases they see the teacher more than they see their parents. As a teacher, we can shape them into respectful, kind, and intelligent young adults. If we teach them how to trust and respect one another no matter the race, gender, looks, or income level, they are capable of being great things in life. We can teach them by living it in front of them. Students see how we treat each other and them, if we really want to shape our students, we have to live it in front of them. Students only mirror what they see and hear, we need to set examples for our students to live by.
I don't understand why my African American Students are not Achieving
a&b) I know I have what it takes to be an effective teacher because I have not forgotten what it was like to be a student. I know what it is like to grow up in a destroyed household. I know what it is like to be pinching pennies and not having what everyone has. I know what it is like to work hard and not get sleep. I can relate to my students no matter the race. In my opinion students only mirror what they have always been taught no matter the race. I can be an effective teacher because I have the ability to see multiple sides of things. I am able to take myself out of a situation and see the other person's point of view. I believe this is important because it helps me understand my students and their surroundings. I am relatable and the students know that. I will be effective because I am passionate about my students and their future. I'm passionate about what I do and believe in dreams being fulfilled. I was born for this career, I don't see students as a color or a price, I see them as the future.
Mentoring
a) Mrs. Shack was an amazing mentor teacher. She gave me the encouragement and feedback I needed to keep improving. She always asked if I needed anything and gave me guidance when I didn't know how to approach things. She always made sure I had the supplies I needed for my classroom. I was very blessed to have her as my mentor this summer!