Am I biased? The truth is we all are. After reading Chan's article, "Teacher experiences of culture in curriculum", I have a better understanding of my limitations, as it pertains to my lack of awareness of other cultures.
Like William, a teacher in the writing, I would have tried to help my student attend, what I thought to be a very important life experience. William’s social narrative was affecting his ability to respect the thoughts and values of his multicultural students. Where William's social narrative is to travel, spend the night, and see the world as a classroom, other cultures may not embrace this concept. I, like William, would find it difficult to allow any parent to disallow their children the opportunity to learn, even if it is against the parent’s cultural narrative.
Thus, the question is. “How appropriate is it for a teacher to attempt to allow children to learn a (their) cultural perspective, regardless to the hesitant and resistant wishes of their parents?
Johnny Smith
Cohort 16