Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (Summer 2011)

"There are times in life when the question of knowing if one can think differently than one thinks,and perceive differently than one sees, is absolutely necessary if one is to go on looking and reflecting at all." (Michel Foucault)

When I first started this course I had no idea that I would learn so much from an on-line class. I have learned so much about what I don't know about my students. I didn't realize what a sheltered life I have lived. I guess I have never really seen my students through the lenses of different cultures, races and gender. I didn't know how important it is to acknowledge and accept the differences of my students and what a tremendous impact those differences have on their literacy learning. The one thing that caught me by surprise through the reading materials was that I really got involved in the articles and with the children in the articles. It became a very intense and personal process, but it was very helpful in understanding the main concepts in this class. These major concepts brought out through the reading material influenced me not only as a professional, but within my personal life also. I am ashamed, but I'll have to admit that the only thoughts I have ever had about diversity have been about color. I see now that my students have different discourses that they bring to my classroom everyday. I don't want them to feel that they live in different cultures or feel seperated within their own lives. My greatest desire for my students is that can feel comfortable with who they are and where they come from. I don't want them to feel like they have to sound a certain way, look a certain way, or act a certain way to be a part of my classroom or our school. I don't want them to put on a "mask" everyday to come to school. I think my new quote is going to be, "It doesn't matter what other people think about you, you have to be who you are." (Delpit) I have learned how powerful literature and writing can be to my students. To help me understand the personal and social issues that are important to them. Through them I can have a better understanding of how others in thier lives interpret literacy and types of experiences they bring with them when they walk through my door. So many times I have dismissed my students when they were wanting to share a story but now I understand that, "literacy learning should be built on meaningful social engagements with reading and writing (Noll)." When students are engaged in literacy activities that stem from their worlds they are more meaningful. Supporting students and adapting new ways to engage and question them are important in literacy learning. Allowing them to tell thier stories and have a voice within the culture of the classroom is what I want for my classroom. I want all my students to feel like they have the "power" to success and literacy gives them that power.
I will do a better job of knowing who my students are and where they come from. This will involve knowing their parents, finding out about their belief system, what's important to their culture, their family and especially to them. The next time I have a Jake or Laurie I will do my best to understand why he/she reacts a certain way or why he/she feels a certain way about something. I hope I can make a difference in a child's life in that I can understand and try to advocate for him/her why he/she is the way he/she is. They need a voice, they don't have on,e and it is important for the child that we try to ensure their needs/stories are heard.
So in a final reflection of the famous quote, I can say that I do think differently about my students. I have a deeper understanding that they bring many discourses with them when they come through my door. I do see my students beyond color or the ethnic group to which they belong. There is a deeper culture and history to which I must learn in order to understand and successfully teach my students. My thoughts and my perceptions will no longer stop at the door when I meet my students. They will continue throughout the year as I learn who my students are and I will strive to help them become lifelong learners. I must change in order to improve my classroom and give all my students the feeling that they truly belong in my classroom and in our school.