Noelle - Reflection

In what ways have you examined fundamental beliefs about diverse learners with respect to learning and teaching?

I've learned from this book is that there are other opinions then just my own. The school that I work in, although it isn’t a city school, it has a very diverse student body. I can tell you all of my students, and I appreciate each and every one of them, and I see their differences and view them as positive. I teach my students to push themselves and believe in themselves regardless of their race, ethnicity, culture, home life etc. I have a unique view at some of the students in my school because my fiancé is a sheriff for the county that my school is in, he will come home and so will I and sometimes we will share stories of things that went on at work, it saddens me deeply when it’s one of my students families that my fiancé tells me about some domestic situation, horrible living conditions, etc. and then on the same note sometimes it is hard because the students who act out are those who’s parents my fiancé arrests for drug use etc. and I can tell you for sure that it is not just the colored kids parents! So this is where my stereotyping has ended, because I see it with my own two eyes, from more than just people who aren’t white, from more than people who aren’t from my culture! On the other hand I also see with my own eyes in my school that teacher prejudice and inequality does exist and creates a huge disparity in educational quality, only furthering the achievement gap. It is those teachers that I wish I could help, but we are slowly getting there as a society.

How or in what ways have you reframed your perspectives on diversity with the intent to inform future practice?

I have been reframing my own perspectives on diversity ever since I was placed to student teach in the school that I was just talking about that I now work at. So for almost two years now, I grew up in a town two over from the town that I teach in and it is nothing like the town at all. The school that I went to was comprised of mainly white middle to high-class families, so at a young age I was never exposed to diversity. Now that I am having my own child and my fiancé although he is white, grew up in a diverse setting where he was exposed to all of it at a young age. I envy him at times because he accepts people for who they are with out automatically thinking “oh what’s that person doing, they could be up to no good” because of his profession he does know which people are “bad” and “really up to no good” he is a very good people reader and sometimes I wish I had that skill. On the other hand I like my innocence when it comes to diversity because I am learning now in a time where they are attempting to abolish and change peoples/society views. I see people for who they are and who they could be I try to find the “good” in people before, I think they are “bad”. But with my “reframed”/” ”reframing” perspective, since I admit I am not all the way there, I know that I will watch how I say certain things, and approach certain situations. I don’t want to stereotype my students I want to give them all a chance, and teach other colleagues to do the same. If I set a good example it will pay off, like the whole “pay it forward” idea!

Noelle

Chapter 8

Creative Connector

“There is a personal renewal and hope to be found in the possibility of change and the opportunity to believe and act in new ways.” (p. 139)

I feel that this quote means so much it can be viewed in many ways, not only in multicultural education. Another view is inclusive education, which yes does include multicultural education, but not just that. We as inclusive teachers can find “renewal and hope” in the “change and opportunities” that we give all of our students. We need to remember that we are teachers to all students that every student is an individual, not just those who are academically or physically challenged, those higher achievers, or just the kids that fall in the “normal” category. We can make a difference in the lives of our students no matter where they come from, their background, their race, their ethnicity, etc.

The next reflection I’d like to make is chapter 8 discussion question 2: “For People of Color and White people, what do we need from each other if we are to create spaces of trust and effective collaboration in the service of our students?”

I feel that schools these days are striving to answer this question , they are finding the “trust” that has been gone for so long because of our countries history, it is still so easy for both Whites and Colors to blame and pull the “race card” but it is getting better. Our nation has become very excepting of people of all races, ethnicity, cultures etc, we as a society just need to become more excepting of each other and try to erase/diminish stereotypes, but that is Gary Howard’s place “of vision, healing, and positive change”. For me it isn’t hard to think about collaborating, but for others it may, it’s hard to help people get to a comfortable place of trust and collaboration, and I feel that the way that this book and Gary Howard goes about it towards “White Teachers” is wrong and it makes upset how he views and stereotype people himself!

Reflection

1. In what ways have you examined fundamental beliefs about diverse learners with respect to learning and teaching?

The key idea I've learned from this book is that there are other opinions then just my own, and that despite my style of teacher and my focus on urban education and diversity there are many teachers that do operate under the guise of Howard's ideas.  For a long time I was frustrated while reading, saying, this isn't me, I am open I work with diverse students and I can tell you all about each one, they are all my students...and I appreciate them and push them regardless of race.  But after looking closer at the issue I began to see that this isn't always the case, and teacher prejudice and inequality does exist and creates a huge disparity in educational quality, only furthering the achievement gap.

One thing I also learned from this book was to closely examine the terms I use and how I express my beliefs about diversity.  For many years I would refer to myself as colorblind- not meaning it in the way Howard explained it.  I believe that each student is a unique entity with their own ideas, history, experiences and culture.  Their background and race plays a part of this but it doesn't make up their entirety.  I though if I said colorblind i'd be communicating this idea- when in fact the actual term is considered to be offensive as it ignores or turns a blind eye to otherness.

2)  How or in what ways have you reframed your perspectives on diversity with the intent to inform future practice?


In many ways I learned how students culture is a larger aspect of over all performance then I past understood. I considered race and experience when teaching but I was ignorant to the strong impact societal institutions play into creating the achievement gap.  Now with a more informed understanding of the issues that rise in education because of race I feel I can go into schools and the higher echelons of education and seek to being to push progress.

I also explored issues related to NCLB and how the increased testing, pressure and bias of the program does more to leave children behind, then it does help further their education.  While the idea is revolutionary it's implementation needs strong work.

While I'm personally having an internal debate with myself over whether or not I want to go into higher education, policy reform, exc or if I want to be a normal common person with a life I think these are issue that push me into choosing the no life option.  I think that despite the cliche-ness of this I believe that change can happen and that education and begin to implement more progressive and universal policies and I want to be part of this.

While I had many fundamental arguments with Howard, I will say, my admit disagreement helped me form my own opinions and helped me grown in what I believe to be true and right. (also I feel really sick so I hope this makes sense!)

Chapter 8

REACH

In all the heated discussion and conversation over this book I figured I would change it up and try to end on a semi-positive note.  As apposed to doing a creative connector, I figured I'd use this last review chapter to sort of do a creative connector of the book in it's entirety and explore the positive aspects of the REACH program founded by Howard.

I think that in terms of the book I really connected with what gary speaks to in this last chapter about the importance of teaching multi-perspectives, histories and better promote a pluralistic history.  I think too often it's African American History, Native American History, History which as Howard puts it is the white history.  I think that while it's essential to include all these perspectives I want to see them integrated into one strong stand out curriculum as opposed to separate entities.  The goal is to teach to the entirety of the human experience, the commonality the difference, the distractions. When we promote multiculturalism the goal, from my perspective is to begin to form an integrated history so that when we teach African American history, it's not just african American month.  The goal is to create a fluency with difference so that it in turn becomes a commonality of all of our daily existence....

Reflection..

In what ways have you examined the fundamental beliefs about diverse learners with respect to learning and teaching?

I believe that my growth and knowledge as well as my beliefs about diverse learners with respect to learning and teaching is something that will grow and evolve with each event that takes place in class, with students, while reading or during discussions. I think that my fundamental beliefs are sound; I have the background and the knowledge to understand diverse learners and the ways in which they function. I know that I do not know everything, but teaching to learners with diverse needs is something that takes patience, practice and revision. Each student will learn differently in each situation and therefore as teachers we need to be hardworking and vigilant to work towards finding the best practices for our classrooms, as well as our individual students. I also know that these best practices used for diverse learners are in reality interventions that would be positive for a whole class environment as well, therefore making a more rewarding and cohesive classroom environment.

How or in what ways have you reframed your perspectives on diversity with the intent to inform future practice?

I believe that my perspectives on diversity have stayed the same throughout this book which is a positive feeling in my eyes. My undergraduate program used a framework in which social justice was weaved into our everyday thoughts and practices. I do recognize “white privilege” more often after reading Howards book, but I also recognize privileges that everyone takes. I know that I have the ability to help my students grow into great human beings who are residents of this worldwide community, but in the same respect I wonder how much anything will ever truly change. There has always been a scape goat or a group of people that has been beaten and bruised and looked down upon; this has been true since the beginning of time. Is this feeling of being better or entitlement engrained into our DNA, or can we change it one person as a time?

Chapter 8

Creative Connector:

“In the modern age, we have come to understand our own selves as composites, often contradictory, even internally incompatible. We have understood that each of us is many different people…the 19^th century concept of integrated self has been replaced by the jostling crowd of “I”s. Salmon Rushdie

I think that this is a great point of the book, where Howard is saying the problems that we are facing is not just a “white” problem. This quote is insightful into the diverse population of India which in many ways emerging to be a world power. The problem that we are facing within our schools needs to be tackled by anyone that has their hands in the school systems. Schools and communities are our unique opportunity to change the process, of which students are taught, the feelings students have about themselves, the knowledge the students take away from the classroom, the lifelong skills and tools. In this calling we have the ability to be the catalysts for change, we have the opportunity to connect and make hundreds if not thousands of children better human beings that will be positively functioning members of the community around them. If we can “fill the buckets” of our students, they will begin to “fill the bucket of the communities. In a sense I think that the true economic, social and governmental reform begins with the schools, and with the students that fill them. This idea of “I” is obviously crippling to the teaching community, as well as the larger community as a whole. Beginning to inhabit multicultural spaces as a community, not simply just existing, will be a more rewarding life for us all.

Essence Extractor: vision, healing, positive change

Scott Martin-Discussion Questions

Scott Martin – Discussion Questions:

In what ways have you examined fundamental beliefs about diverse

learners with respect to learning and teaching?

Regardless of what I have known or thought I was, I am now starting to see a thought process and understand my own pre-established beliefs. Understanding them, is the current station I am at… putting them into practice will come later. I am in a struggle… a sort of crossroads when it comes to what I thought I knew and what I need to know in order to understand the “diverse learners” and myself I will have in my classroom. I was living my life viewing myself as a liberal, understanding and accepting white male who held no prejudices against anyone. After this reading I now understand that the things that were so called, “status quo” were in fact complacency on my part as a white man. I must fully examine on a daily basis the systems that are in place in America that afford me the opportunity to think the way I have and then learn from this experience.

How or in what ways have you reframed your perspectives on diversity with the intent to inform future practice?

As referenced before, I am now taking every interaction that I face on a daily basis with a “grain of salt”. I am actually pausing for a moment to see things from the other angles, which include many facets. I don’t exactly know how I am going to process and implement my own thought process as of yet, other than raising my own questions to foster discussion with the situations that I am in. I understand that from the centuries of the privilege I have benefited from as a white male, I have a position of power, whether warranted or not. The issue and task at hand now is to take this position of power I have been given and make it work for the good of everyone, white, black, yellow, red and purple. The hardest part with having power is knowing how to use it.

Scott Martin - Chpt 8

Scott Martin - Creative Connector: Chpt. 8

“Whiteness has been associated for centuries with racism and dominance.”

I have recently written two papers on the history of racism and in particular the Eurocentric influence in the United States upon the creation of whiteness and thus the formation of racism. I found in my research something quite interesting on this Howard quote; also taking into account previously stated interest in history. Tim Wise, another white anti-racist activist, He spoke, in paraphrase, stating: the full idea of what we, as Americans, know about racism was born on the shores of our country. He talked about being of Scottish descent and what was shown of dominance within whites was from Highlanders and Lowlanders killing each other. Normans and Saxons. Not having spent years of history class outside of The USA, I am now wondering what other cultures face and have faced in the forum of racism. We get most of our roots of white dominance from Western Europe, do they as well, face these same struggles and issues as we do?

“The reward for transformative White educators is that we have a vision worthy of a lifetime of work.”

I fully agree with Howard that this idea of transformation needs to be and should be at the forefront of our work as educators. Yet, I also believe that this is not our only goal. This actually goes with out saying, we have subject matter each of us has chosen to pass along inspiration and direction to each of our students. I have the arts, which I believe can be, and should be, a huge platform for social change. Historically, the arts, at least in the modern standpoint, have and will continue to be the forefront of ideal, change, and transformation. Monet didn’t just make “blurry” paintings to just make them. He was trying to show a different point of view in seeing the world around us.

“It is important to acknowledge that White educators cannot travel alone on the road to authenticity and social healing.”

Again I am brought back to a question about the difficulty of this ideal. By no means to I stand against it or even trying to get into the way of it. I stand in the path of believing we can make this happen. Yet I am back to the “what good can one man do”? It was never stated in this book to be an easy road, or a road without its struggles, with out its pain. This road is to be very uphill, very treacherous. I have to wonder about the delivery of this information. Understandably, I have been gifted with this knowledge and discovery as a grad student in education. The majority of America do not go past high school. I have the invaluable forum of becoming a teacher where each and every student can hear my understanding and path towards the end of “marginalized groups”. I just have absolutely NO control over what they do with this… I am not alone, but where the society of America stands today… I am, in fact, alone.

Scott Martin - Essence Extractor: Chpt 8

Obviously a conclusion… here is the building blocks, and now you have to use those blocks to figure out who you are, who everyone else is and then put it to use for that “new” style of thinking. Daunting task yes. Impossible? Maybe. Yet, if everyone can open their understanding of themselves, there is a MUCH better chance of finding truth for all.

Chapter 7 - Noelle Stappenbeck

Creative Connector
"Cornel West is right; the race card is always at play. How teachers deal with it is what makes the difference in the lives of our students." (p.122)
I feel that the first part of the statement is true because of the ignorance of many people, not just the white/dominant group. I think that still in society today people are always blaming things on "race". But how do we really get away from this? As Gary mentions over and over again, there have been so many attempts to help shift people's stereotypes, and assumptions regarding race and ethnicity, who is truly the dominant group? In today's society it isn't just about race in all places socioeconomic status plays a huge role, there are very many African American people that are very well off and have created very successful lives of their own and for their children. But then still we go back to the statement "the race card is always at play". I really don't think that Gary or anyone else can truly abolish this idea/statement by saying what should happen/what teachers should do, we as teachers are only part of the whole of society!! Yes we can help shift ideas but close to ideas stated throughout the book is that children learn from their environment and the people they live with and those are going to be the influences that they are most strongly passionate towards.

"Deciding to go into teaching must be a decision from the heart." (p.125)

I feel this is so true. Even when I was a student I could tell which teachers had passion for teaching and which of them were there only because they had to be, or they were simply burnt out. I’ve known that I have wanted to work with young children since I was about middle school aged. I wasn’t sure what kind of teaching I wanted to do or if I wanted to go into youth leadership etc., but I knew that I loved helping kids younger than me, and caring for others. I think that it takes a truly compassionate person to be a teacher, they have to care about their students, care about what they are teaching, and they also have to realize that they are continuing to learn each day them selves.

Essence Extractor

“Our work is a life-long journey…” “This is our vision, this is our unfinished work”