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EDUCATION AND THE SCHOOL
I believe the school is meant to reflect the diversity and
shared values of the community it resides in,while at the same time
stand for it's growth and improvement. That is, the school does
notexist as an isolated institution that deals with matters that
exist only within itself but
rather functions as an extension of the society to which it
belongs. Therefore, whenstudents walk into the school, they are
bringing with them important educationalexperiences from their
homes and neighborhoods that ought to be acknowledged andfostered
inside the school walls. What is key to understand is that it is
the children whoare the core of every school, and it is their
culture, race, gender, knowledge,experiences,and interests that
ought to be on the forefront of every educator andadministrator's
mind.
THE SUBJECT MATTER
I believe both Social Studies and Language Arts education exist
to reach all types of learners from a diverse range of backgrounds,
as these are elements that enrich the
classroom. Curriculum should be designed for students to
understand material throughdifferent facets of learning, including
explanation, interpretation, application,perspective and empathy.
Therefore, Social Studies and English should go beyond
thememorization of a series of factual information and
regurgitating information on paper.What is acceptable is learning
through the different facets of understanding outlinedearlier, and
generate ideas through different levels of questioning, and
multipleperspectives thereby allowing students to make sense of
topics that reflect a complexworld in a way that is relateable and
engaging. Educators also should work to buildopportunities for
students to build their reading comprehension and writing skills in
thecontent subject area in order to live and contribute to a
literate society.
Social Studies and Language Arts classrooms are where
connections should be made tohelp students understand and live in
their worlds. I believe that Social Studies andEnglish curriculums
should incorporate current issues, pop culture elements and
contentthat helps open up the classroom experience to the real
world; students need to seethat both are educational experiences
that relate to one another. This entails breakingdown the myth that
the world inside the classroom must be isolated from what
isoutside, because to live and teach according to such a myth
undermines the legitmacyand value of classroom learning. To combat
such a misconception, we must invite theexperiences of our students
and the greater outside issues of the world into ourclassroom to
create a relevant learning experience for everyone.
I believe lessons are built around desired outcomes and
understanding can be assessedin various ways. Units are guided by
essential questioning that ties to fundamentalthemes that relate to
greater issues that are occuring in the world. Meaningful
learningis not just about lesson design, however; I have come to
find that meaningful learningtakes place when students are sharing
their ideas and views in class or within smallgroups. Collaboration
of sharing ideas and thoughts between students and the teacherhelps
everyone identify, clarify, and think of new possibilities that may
have otherwisebeen overlooked. It is also a form of assessment, as
students can learn from each otherthings they may have missed, or
clarify others. Thus, meaningful learning is facilitated
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by the teacher and centered on students experiences, interests,
knowledge, and input.
EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY
I believe that staying socially insightful to the idea that the
digital world is changing theway newer generations are thinking and
living is essential, and that it is part of our roleas educators to
entertain these factors in the classroom. This helps maintain a
mindfuland relevant education for students. In the classroom
technology is meant to beshared by the students and the teacher and
serves to promote an engaging andinteractive approach to learning.
In addition, technology presents an opportunity tostay connected
with parents; classroom websites and blogs allow instant access
forparents to stay updated on their childs education. We must not
stop at the notion thattechnology is something that students have
already mastered and exists only forentertainment purposes; we must
stay committed to the idea that to teach is toempower. Students
need to learn how to utilize technology in a way that promotes
theirability to expand their knowledge and apply themselves
intellectually in order to make
informed and positive decisions. Furthermore, instructors can
stay dedicated to makingthis happen through professional and
personal development.
THE SCHOOL AND SOCIAL PROGRESS
I believe the school and social progress go hand in hand, as
education is the key toevery societys transformation and growth. As
the saying goes; if you think education isexpensive, try ignorance.
Our world today reflects the poisonous effects ignorance hason
societies. It is the students who are our future leaders of the
world, and we musteducate them in a way that inspires them to want
to learn, have compassion, and beknowledgeable about the world they
live in, so that ignorance can no longer causehuman suffering and
other evils. We must help our students identify
alternativesolutions and understand multiple perspectives alongside
fostering their academic andsocial skills. I believe these serve as
avenues for social change and the progress withhumanity.
I believe social progress needs to start with changes and
improvements made in thelocal community, through volunteerism and
collaboration with others. While we shouldstrive to recognize
ourselves as global citizens, change begins at the grass root
level,within the local context. Classrooms are an environment where
the same moral valuesand actions for social progress of a community
can happen. What if every classroomfunctioned off of the notion
that everybody matters? What if we could apply that to howwe live
at a national level? A global one? While these standards seem
idealistic, Ibelieve they are also worthy of aspiring to live by.
The experiences students have in theclassroom should remain
relevant to those they have beyond the four walls; it is anavenue
for students to see their role as citizens and agents of change in
theirclassroom, community, and world.
