"...a world view that would enable us to see ourselves not through the lens of racism or racist stereotypes but one that would enable us to focus clearly and succinctly, to look at ourselves, at the world around us, critically--analytically--to see ourselves first and foremost as striving for wholeness, for unity of heart, mind, body, and spirit." (chss.montclair.edu)
I have had a small number of professors that teach in this way and I find, personally, that this is one of the most effective ways to teach. Courses such as this one and EDTE 210 (a prerequisite for the education program) professors are asking students to reflect on who they are encompassing topics such as, how they can service the community and how they might deal with a number of sociological issues within the classroom. When approaching education in this way, I hope that most students will find value in the course and learning in general. Mentioned further in the reading, a teacher stated that they inform their students that the class will be designed in a nontraditional way. I feel that informing students that the class is designed non-traditionally, they are able to mentally prepare themselves for a different learning experience. As a side note, I feel that this commentary/response to the feminist pedagogy has beautiful values.
"I don't believe a good school system can be built on miracles or on the stunning interventions of dramatically original and charismatic men or women. I don't think anyone really believes this." (Kozol, pg. 200)
I completely agree with Kozol's statement. There are plenty of original and charismatic teachers across the nation but in reality they are one of the smallest components of a school system. Building a "good school system" is far more than miracles and having incredible teachers, it is about changing problems on the sociological level. Where/when can we start designing a good school system? What do we do if people actually believe that a good school is built on miracles and charismatic men and women?
"Playing musical chairs with children's lives, when half the chairs are broken and the best chairs are reserved primarily for people of his class and race, is cynical behavior in a president." (Kozol, pg. 204)
This is the power of privilege. Kozol's metaphor (if that's the right word) perfectly explains how education legislation caters to one group over another. I too believe that this is cynical behavior in a president and a cynical behavior in anyone for that matter. The idea of privilege needs to be eliminated in order for everyone to have an equal opportunity for success. I have a hard time understanding how some people in our class are unable to understand the fact of privilege. Do you? Lastly, I wonder if Bush actually realized what he was doing when he designed education legislation.
I completely agree with the fact that privilege needs to be eliminated when it comes to education. However I unfortunately do not see that as being a realistic thing. I can't picture wealthy parents being ok with their children being in same school settings as underprivileged students. Those parents will fight for their children to stay in their happy upper class school. While I believe this i wrong I just don't see privilege ever leaving the school systems.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it probably is unlikely, but it would be so nice to see people of every socioeconomic status and race mixed in the same classroom. It's frightening to see what school teachers are up against and it makes me ask the same question, "Okay, Where do we start?"
ReplyDeleteAs a school counseling student who has grown up in upper middle class white neighborhoods all my life I have not been exposed to diversity really until I started college. Next semester I have a 100 hour practicum I am doing in a high school that is in an urban setting and I am wondering will I be able to really help students who are racially and economically different than me? Will I be able to relate to them? I believe that if school systems were required to be more diverse that I wouldn't be asking myself these questions and I would feel more confident in my ability to be able to relate and help students.
ReplyDeleteI ask my self the same questions everyday for I come from a similar background as you. It's unfortunate that we have to ask ourselves us these questions but I think it means you're really passionate about what you want to do and really want to make a significant difference. Learning about the social justice issues we're talking about in this course will definitely help you understand what may be going on in those students lives. You may not be able to relate but you'll at least have some understanding.
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