TED Talk Blog

 From this Ted Talk, I learned that community is one of the most important things for young gender non conforming and trans children. If it weren't for the community, Reed would not have been able to find her true self and freely share herself with the outside world. It is sad to see that in our community people have to hide their true selves because of unaccepting people. I'm glad that Reed was able to find a community that supported her. I can relate this back to teaching and being a future educator because I want to build a community that supports each student in my classroom no matter what their identity looks like. 

3 Standouts of this Class

 1) The first thing that stands out to me about this class is the Moo ins. This helped me learn everyone's names very quickly as well as what their interests were. This is important to have in a classroom as an introduction to the class. It also helps students get to learn each other better and breaks first day jitters. 

2) The next thing that stands out to me is blog post homework #1, Johnson. This was such an important article to read and to understand what the basis of this class would be about. One quote that will stick with me from this article is, "The purpose is to change how we think so that we can change how we act, and by changing how we participate in the world, become part of the complex dynamic through which the world itself will change.” pviii

3) The last thing that will stick with me from this class is the "What to Look for in a Classroom" Chart by Kohn. I found this chart to be super helpful when comparing our placements classrooms. I also think it is a good resource to look at to think about what we want our classrooms to look like as future educators.

They, He, She, Easy as ABC from Woke Kindergarten

This week we listened to "They, He, She, Easy as ABC" read by Woke Kindergarten. We also read the RI Laws and Policies on Transgender and Non-Gender Conforming students which are important for everyone to read and be aware of.

I enjoyed the book and how diverse each of the characters were. It's important to show young children how there are different people in this world so they know how to accept everyone at an early age. Different races, gender identities, and abilities were showcased in this short picture book. But even though they showed different characters, each character portrayed activities that anyone could like. The book finds similarities in differences and its important to show this idea to children early on. 

Even though this book is meant to be for children, it can be helpful for anyone. Even I learned new information from this picture book. I have never heard of the pronouns of tree and fawn. I went down a rabbit hole of internet searches of what these meant. I found that they are called neopronouns and that there are many others as well. I have heard of the term neopronouns before, but I wasn't sure what that meant. With a quick google search, I found that it simply means new pronouns. These are just new ways that people can identify themselves as. As simple as the definition is, it is still confusing to me and that's okay. I am learning more about it and that's all one can do. Being open to new ideas is important as an educator because it will help you provide an inclusive and safe environment for your students. 

Reflection: Have you heard anyone use neopronouns before?

Understanding Neopronouns

"Eliminating Ableism" by Hehir and "Examined Life" Video

 In this week's reading and video, we learned about preconceived notions about ableism and how it automatically affects a student's education.

Definition of ableism from the text: “Laura Rauscher and Mary McClintock (1996) define ableism as “a pervasive system of discrimination and exclusion that oppresses people who have mental, emotional and physical disabilities (p3.)"

The definition of ableism is important to understand before moving forward throughout the article. Having an understanding of the word ableism allows for an open mind when learning more about it.

Quote 1: “In this article, I examine how ableist assumptions influence the education of children with disabilities and how these assumptions undermine the educational attainment of these children (p3.)"

This is the author's purpose of the article. One of the main points of the article is talking about assumptions about disabilities and how it automatically affects the student's education. Immediately when someone knows about someone's disability, it is automatically assumed that they will never be as smart as their abled peers. A message that the author tells is how this needs to stop. We shouldn't assume how smart a child will be just because they have a disability.

Quote 2: “While disability is not a tragedy, society’s response to disability can have tragic consequences for those who have disabilities (p2.)"

This quote follows along with my explanation from quote 1. It is assumed that disability is a tragedy, therefore leading to tragic consequences as people believe that people with diabilities, without even knowing the severity, will not be as capable as people without disabilities. It is unfortunate how people authomatically assume that students with disabilites will not be as capable as their peers.

Quote 3: “Thus, oralism continues to have a negative impact on the education of deaf children as an enduring legacy of ableism (p6.)"

I don't know about you, but I have never heard of the term oralism. Oralism is the idea of deaf people using their voice to speak and using lip reading as their form of language rather than using American Sign Language. This is dangerous because it forces a way for students to learn that is no meant for them. This can be compared to students being forced to learn in an auditory way when they are visual learners.

Reflection: Have you seen an example of ableism in your site classroom?

Oralism Article

"Aria" by Richard Rodriquez

 Richard Rodriquez's writing provides insight into what was like living as an ESL (English as a Second Language) student and the difficulties and feelings he had with his experience.

Quote 1: “Without question, it would have pleased me to hear my teachers address me in Spanish when I entered the classroom (p1.)"

All children want their teacher to accept them for who they are and encourage their culture within the classroom. Something so simple as saying hello in the student's first language can make a huge difference to the child. It's the little things that your students will remember.

Quote 2: " 'Is it possible for you and your husband to encourage your children to practice their English when they are home?' Of course, my parents complied (p2.)"

This quote is from when the teachers asked Rodriquez's parents if they could speak more English at home to improve his English speaking and learning in general. Something so simple to the teachers became something so harmful to Rodriquez's life. He felt wrong to be using 'someone else's' language. He felt that it wasn't his to use. But, more so, he became disconnected from his culture and more importantly, to his family.

Quote 3: "We remained a loving family, but one greatly changed. No longer so close; no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public separateness (p3.)"

Continuing from my analysis of quote two, Rodriquez expresses how this simple request affected his family. Yes, he still continued to have a loving family, however, he felt as though his family wasn't as close as they were before when using a different language than their first. Language is an important part of culture and it's shown how difficult it can make someone's life when it is unaccepted in a school setting.

Reflection: How would you be able to communicate with an ESL student without asking them to learn English?

Communicating With ESL Students

Literacy with an Attitude: Educating Working-Class Children in Their Own Self Interest by Patrick J. Finn

The writing "Literacy with an Attitude" by Patrick J. Finn explains the importance of literacy in students throughout all ages. He talks about the different types of literacy that is taught and the outcome of both types in the student's lives. 

Quote 1:  “My explanation of why literacy is not seen as dangerous among the working people and unemployed of the United States is that we have developed two kinds of education. First, there is empowering education, which leads to powerful literacy, the kind of literacy that leads to positions of power and authority. Second, there is domestication education, which leads to functional literacy, literacy that makes a person productive and dependable, but not troublesome (p1 of preface.)"

As talked about in my introduction, the author believes in two different types of education leading to different types of literacy. The empowering education style leads to powerful literacy, allowing for positions of power and authority. Then there is domestication education, which allows for functional literacy, making the learning productive and dependable. The first type, empowering education, can be seen as dangerous because it is all about power and authority. This shows students that the high importance in life is power and hierarchy. The second type, domestication education, shows students that there is more than just power in the world. It teaches students about other qualities like respectability, knowledgeability, competence, as well as being productive and dependable.

Quote 2: “So they could see what could be done to our students (p5.)"

This is when the teacher is talking about administrators showing visitors his classroom as his students excel. The author shows what students in the school could be like. He shows his students love and support which in turn shows the students engagement for their learning. If all teachers were to be like this, there would be huge improvement. However, it is very hard to find teachers who are this enthusiastic about their career. The more enthusiastic the teacher is the more enthusiastic the students will be about their own learning and education.

Quote 3: "Teachers made derogatory remarks regarding the students… Only twice did Anyon hear a teacher say ‘please’ to a student in an unsarcatic tone. She heard ‘shut up’ frequently (p11.)"

This section of the book reminded me of Kohn's reading, "What to Look for in the Classroom." Kohn's list of Good Signs is highlighted in this reading as there are different details in her school and grade level. There is a different dynamic in each and every school. It is important to be aware of this as a future educator to notice the details in each school. The dynamic of each school, classroom, grade level greatly affects each student's education.

Reflection: What have you noticed in your classroom and school site that clearly shows an impact in the students' education?

Classroom Dynamics for Enhanced Teaching and Learning

What to Look for in a Classroom by Alfie Kohn

 What to Look for in a Classroom by Alfie Kohn

In the chart, "What to Look for in a Classroom" by Alfie Kohn, the author focuses on writing about traits that classrooms hold that are about comfortability, warmth, and respectability. 

Quote 1: "Good Sign: Appealing atmosphere: a place where people would want to spend time." 

This good sign is important to the idea of comfortability in a classroom. Students should feel like they are in a safe environment that not only allows, but encourages them to learn. Students should feel that their classroom is their second home since they spend so much time there. 

Quote 2: "Good Sign: Information about, and personal mementos of, the people who spend time together in this classroom."

This good sign is important to the idea of warmth in a classroom. Teachers who post information like this about their students builds a sense of community between the students and even the staff. Students will be able to learn more about each other this way and understand their peers better. This goes the same for the teacher and any staff that frequently visit the classroom.

Quote 3: "Good Sign: Teacher is respectful, genuine, and warm." 

This good sign is important to the idea of respectability. One of the most important qualities of a teacher is respect, especially because students learn from the source. A teacher needs to show respectfulness for their students to show it. A common theme is to treat others the way they want to be treated. This is the same for teachers and students. Teachers need to show respect if they expect their students to respect them. 

Reflection: What other "Good Signs" do you believe are important in a classroom?

Promoting a Culture of Mutual Respect