Saying Goodbye to EDU 100 and What I Took Away From This Class

As I come to the end of this semester,  I think back on everything I have learned in this education course. I think that I would relate teaching and education to a forest.

 

I think that I would relate education and teaching to a forest because they are both made up of many things. To explain myself better, a forest is made up of different animals, plants, and many more species. There are beautiful parts to a forest and other parts of the forest that are not so great. For example, bushes that have thorns, swamps, dangerous animals. In education and while teaching, there are beautiful things in it as well. There are moments where kids take to lesson plans and further their knowledge and excel in school. On the downside, there are issues of school violence, students who feel do not have equal opportunity or schools that do not receive the appropriate funding for the students and the activities they would like to take part in. Education to me is the chance to mold our future generation into being something great. I think that with the right teachers and the right tools, our future generation has the ability to be absolutely successful.

 

Some of the things that I learned in this course that stuck with me are as follows: the zero-tolerance policy, the relationship with the teacher can affect the education of a student, and how far the United States has fallen on the scale for education. To start off, I think that the zero tolerance policy is absolutely important. On the downside, I think that some schools are way too strict. For instance, I learned about how student was suspended for bringing nail clippers to school. So is it not safe to no longer have scissors at school? Last time I checked, scissors can do more damage than nail clippers. I'll end that topic before I go on a rant :) Next, the relationship with a student and a teacher is absolutely crucial. I think that it is important for a relationship to be built so that a student can address any issues with teachers whether it be an in class problem or a situation in a student's home life affecting school. Lastly, I think that there is a huge issue in the progress of our education system. We used to rank high compared to other countries in topics of science, math and other studies but we have fallen. I'm really hoping that the Common Core can improve our ranking and get back to where we used to be.

 

A huge part of this course is the blogs that we post for others to read. From reading the blogs that other students have read I have learned that many others share the same opinion that I have while others are completely opposite from my views. I think that is perfectly okay. It is important to have opposition in this world because it gives us the opportunity to learn things from the people around us. To end my last blog, I want to say that I am thankful that I took this class. Although I will not be pursuing a career in education, I can positively say that this class has brought so many issues to my attention and I hope that some day I can look back and say that these issues no longer exist. 

Social Justice for Racism

During this week’s module, the issue of social justice was a topic. What is social justice? According to Matthew Robinson, social justice is "... promoting a just society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity." It exists when "all people share a common humanity and therefore have a right to equitable treatment, support for their human rights, and a fair allocation of community resources." This means that no matter your race or ethnicity, we all deserve the same things in life and we all deserve equal opportunity in life. So why are we stuck in an era where even the constitution talks about equality of rights and there are laws against treating people unfairly by discriminating and many more ways. In past modules, the class was posed an important question about whether or not teachers should tell their students about the real story of Columbus. I’m the type of person who would say absolutely. If teachers do not tell the true story about how Columbus treated the Indians unfairly by killing them, injuring them, and taking their land, then they are setting a back example. Students need to know the truth about how Indian tribes were treated horribly. If these discussions were had at a younger age then during middle school and high school, teachers can then go into more important issues and have more in depth conversations about why racism and inequality still exists. I think that racism should absolutely be an issue discussed all through school years. In an article I read from the Institute for the Study of “Race” and Social Justice it says, “Racism is a major factor in determining one's health in our society, as it translates into persistent stress, associated illness and prolonged suffering or premature death. Over the centuries, American Indians, African Americans and Latinos have suffered from severe racism in various forms, and they experience the poorest health status as a result,” I believe that if racism and social justice was talked about in elementary, middle, and high school then racism and these health risks would diminish.

http://healthpolicy.unm.edu/about/initiatives/isrsj

http://gjs.appstate.edu/social-justice-and-human-rights/what-social-justice

 

Environmental Issues Around Me

With this week's learning module, all I can say is WOW. I've learned so much about the environment and how people contribute to it and how people can hurt it. An article that I really liked that I read this week was called "Bring It". It started off as a mother talking about how her son and his peers helped his school become more environmental friendly. They saved the schools tens of thousands of dollars and the school was able to do it's part in helping the environment by using biodegradable products and using water fountains instead of water bottles. Then I watched a video that discussed the process in which we consume and put waste on our planet. I'm actually truly disturbed that the United States takes up a small percentage of Earth yet we used 1/3 of the resources offered by Earth and still take the resources from a third world country. 99% of the world's products are made to be trashed by 6 months of use. That's not okay. Companies should be making products that last years and have multiple uses but of course that's not a way in which they would be making millions. This learning module is all about community, environment, and place based education. I think that it was really important to also read the article titled "American Education from a Tribal Perspective". It suggests that American Education should be evolving more and be more spiritual and mindful of the environment around one another. I think that maybe once a month schools should take kids to areas and show them the importance of the environment and how it benefits the community around you.

Bell Hooks and the "Banking Concept"

After reading about the Banking Concept by Freire and reading a piece of writing by Bell Hooks, I would say that Bell Hooks completely rejects the Banking Concept. The Banking Theory "turns them into "containers," into "receptacles" to be "filled" by the teacher. The more completely she fills the receptacles, the better teacher she is. The more meekly the receptacles, the permit themselves to be filled, they better students they are" (Freire, 1). Hooks believes that students should not just sit there and consume the information given to them by the professor or teacher. Hooks believes that the teachers and students of a classroom should be interacting and participating with one another. He also believes that the students need to be aware of the information that they are learning and understand what that information actually means. I completely agree with Hooks. If I was a theorist or trying to become a teacher, I would absolutely with no doubt in my mind, reject the Banking concept. In my opinion, the banking concept belittles students and the knowledge they bring to the class before the teacher educates them on other information. Hooks' learning theory called engaged pedagogy which, "emphasizes well-being. That means that teachers must be actually committed to a process of self-actualization that promotes their well-being if they are to teach in a manner that empowers students" (Hooks,15). I am a firm believer in Hooks' learning theory. I think that teachers need to be in the right state of mind and believe in their students and empower them to enjoy and be conscious of the subject matter they are learning in a classroom. You can fill students up with as much information as you want, but are they going to retain it? Are they going to be able to apply it to real life situations? Are they truly understanding the material they are presented?

Inclusive Education

How important is it that students receive the same education and opportunities in the classroom? Most or all people will say that it is entirely important but how well do you understand what that means. Inclusive education is education designed and offered to all people regardless of their physical, social, emotional, or intellectual characteristics, most often used to refer to education provided in mainstream or general education classrooms to students with disabilities. In my opinion, this is the way it should be. Students with a wide range of disabilities already have parents, friends, and teachers focusing on their disability so the student should be able to take part in a general education classroom with students who do not have disabilities. I found a quote that is truly relevant to this point, "Fairness isn't about treating everyone the same; it's giving everyone what they need”(Deb Watkings). In an article I was reading called Students with Exceptionalities, many tips are given to teacher or assistants for working with students who have exceptionalities or disabilities. Many students do not like having their disability known to others but other students who do not have a disability present will feel like they are being neglected and not receiving as much attention as they need. So I felt that this quote previously stated was very necessary. I think that it is only fair that ALL students receive the same education as any other student out there. In life, people are taught that equality is an important trait in life, so why not start teaching them that in school and show them how it can be done with students who have exceptionalities.

Making a Mult-Cultural Education Work

A major topic of this week has been giving students a multi-cultural education. How do we do that? Are there topics that are off limits? What is the most effective way to go about this? Well, in my opinion, I don't think that any culture, religion, language, etc is off limits. Our students and community deserve to know everything that happens in this world whether we like it or not. How do we expect students to grow up and make the right decisions in life without knowing all the facts? We shouldn't. Students and everyone around the world should have an education that is open ended. The more information people have, the more they will open their minds to other aspects in the world. A quote that I found this week says that multi-cultural education, "values cultural differences and affirms the pluralism that students, their communities, and teachers reflect." Multi-cultural education can lead to so many different things. Let's just say a student learns about a culture different from his own and finds it fascinating. From that moment on, that student may change the rest of their life decisions because of a new outlook on life. Multi-cultural education is so important in so many different ways. How do our students learn about it? Teachers and representatives from associations involved in giving people education on different ways of life and culture should know their facts so they are giving the appropriate education to others. As said in one of my class discussions, I mentioned that students in the beginning of the school year should create an introductory project. This involves telling the class the type of culture they come from. During this project, students may learn new ways of life or be able to relate to similar cultures. After these students finish this project, the teachers should take part in it as well. I think that after this is complete, students will develop a relationship with their teachers and peers and be able to relate or differentiate on many levels. All of these things can work as long as the people involved have an open mind. The teachers and students must be willing an eager to learn about different walks of life. I am a strong believer that school curriculum should involve multi-cultural education throughout the school years.

Columbus Day and a Different Way to Approach It

In most schools growing up, we have all learned about Columbus Day. After many years of schooling and growing up, we end up being enlightened on the truth. So the question remains, why are teachers continually educating the wrong facts about Columbus Day and why are they not telling their students the whole truth? Well, some teachers just don't want to take the road most traveled. In my opinion shame on them. I do not plan on becoming a teacher but as I am hoping to be a parent one day, I will do nothing but teach my children the truth about situations and tell them the whole truth. I am a firm believer that if you tell a person a lie, even of omission, then they will look back at you later on and not completely trust what one says from there on out. Teachers, parents, and many other people are seeing how we are trying to better our education system for the children and future students, so why not start there? Start by telling your students the truth about a situation. It's like telling someone oh don't smoke marijuana because it will effect your lungs. That's not all the side effects entirely. It decreases memory and is known as a gateway drug meaning that it can lead to more harmful drugs. People need to know the truth and the whole truth. In the article "We Have No Reason to Celebrate and Invasion" Harjo says, "Teachers need to respect the truth. What happens if I'm sitting in a classroom and teachers are telling me that Thomas Jefferson was one of the greatest men in the world, and I also know that he owned slaves, but they don't tell me that? What am I going to do when I'm told "don't use or abuse drugs or alcohol?" Will I think there may be another side to that too? (13)." This is a perfect example of how I feel and how I think that certain kids will feel when they find out they have not learned the whole truth. It doesn't matter if that lesson pertains to their life or if it does not affect their life directly, not telling the truth completely is a lie of omission. In another article that I read called "What Not to Teach About Native Americans" enlightened me about how this teaching of Columbus Day can show students how to discriminate. When I am a parent I will make it my duty and promise in life to show my kids that a human is a human. It does not matter their eye color, skin color, goals in life, their background, who their family is. A human being is a human being. Columbus Day was not a victory of the establishment for the Europeans but it was also a time where a large group of people, lost property, loved ones, their freedom, and etc. Our past, current, and future students will benefit from the truth of this lesson in history.

Thoughts on the Reasons Why Teachers Teach

     During this week's  learning module in my education class , I read many papers on the reasons why people decide to become teachers. Although I am not an education major and I am not trying to become a teacher, I still find it very enjoyable to learn the reasons why people want to do certain things with their life and the things that motivate them. The most enjoyable thing that I read during this week was Herbert Kohl's article Why Teach. This article was influential yet informational at the same time. Kohl said, "Listening carefully and following up on what you hear are skills a teacher has to cultivate" (25). After I read this quote I thought about it for a while. If a person listens and responds to another person, it shows that one cares.  Also, I can only assume that if I am a teacher and I am continually listening and responding with feedback to my students, they will in one way or another appreciate what we are doing. I a friend who is becoming a teacher and right now she is an assistant teacher for a class for students with special needs. I asked her why she wanted to become a teacher and she told me that she is trying to make a difference in the way that knowledge is attained to kids. She wants to influence kids and make their learning experience fun and memorable. I feel as though if I had that passion that I read about in many articles, I would be ecstatic to become a teacher. I applaud the people in the world who are teachers. They are paid enough for the amount of work that they accomplish and don't nearly receive enough acknowledgment from students, parents, and colleagues.

Introduction to Me!

Hi everyone! My name is Kayla Cragan and I am currently a senior at Salem State University. In the beginning of my college experience I had zero idea as to what I wanted to be when I got older. I came to Salem State undeclared and throughout my first semester decided I wanted to try nursing. Well, let's just say that didn't work out. Then I decided to take a general psychology course and fell in love. I fell in love with the idea that I could help people in times of crisis of their life. Their crisis could be minor or it could be major, it all depends on what would bring them to come to me for help. In my senior year, I've had to think about what areas of psychology that I wanted to work in. I could either teach it academically or work with clients. As I said before, I fell in love with the idea that I could help people. I decided ultimately that I want to have clients. Continually I have asked myself what age group do I want to work with? Do I want to work with females, males, or both? I took a step back and realized that I work amazingly well with younger kids around the elementary age. I decided to take this education class to make sure I wanted to be working with children of this age and to also build my skills up for when I do have clients. I figured that as a clinician, I will need to show my clients certain skills and techniques to make it past an obstacle in life and work through a crisis. Therefore, I need to learn how to teach my clients these skills. I ultimately hope that during this course I am currently taking I will learn some skills to better myself in my career and to assist my clients in time of need.