As I reflect back over this course the quote by Michel Foucault truly captivates my learning: “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.” To me this quote means that as a teacher I have to be willing to be flexible, learn from others, and evaluate myself. These things are not easy to accomplish but they are necessary in order for me to become an exemplary teacher and role model.
The readings throughout this course gave me the opportunity to think differently and perceive differently about the students in my classroom and myself as a teacher. The article by Perry about the “Lost Boys” really challenged my view on storytelling. Through the article I was able to think of reasons why storytelling is a “Lost Art” in most schools today and specific ways to incorporate storytelling in my classroom and school. This article made me realize the positive benefits of storytelling and gave me the desire to incorporate storytelling in my classroom next year. Reading this article with an open mind gave me the chance to continue learning and reflecting as an educator.
Another reading that challenged me to be a reflective teacher was Noll’s qualitative research article on the lives of Zonnie and Daniel. Through this article the theme that continued to stick out to me was the importance of “getting to know” my students on a deeper level. I realized that my students need me to know who they are and what they enjoy doing outside of school. After I read the article, I began to think of ways that I could get to know my students outside of school. I think one of the best ways is to attend one of their sporting, church, or music events. This action would show my students that I care about what is important to them. Noll made it very clear that students will trust and respect their teachers more when they feel like their teachers care about who they are. This article allowed me to view my students in a totally different light.
The first articles we read in this course, Dowdy, Delpit, and Obama News Article, made me more aware of the impact language has on my students. I did not realize how much my students use “code switching” until I read these articles. It amazed me to think about how my students talk one way with me and a complete different way with their peers on the playground and on the school bus. I also discovered that sometimes “code switching” is difficult for children who speak a different language or feel like they don’t fit in. These articles made me more aware of the importance of allowing my students to talk and have a voice in their education. It is easy for me to do all the talking. However, I believe that students learn more when they have the chance to talk and express themselves. In my post I talked about how I use “Me Bag” and Language Experience Approach to help my students feel more comfortable and confident in who they are and their language. I plan to continue to do this and try to increase the time my students work in groups and talk with their peers. All of my students have a voice and I need to give them the opportunity to use it and learn from others.
Hicks’ book brought up several topics that allowed me to think and perceive my students and my teaching differently. I was very intrigued by the topic of discourse in her book, specifically in chapters 1 and 2. I learned how discourse plays a major role in my students’ education. Each of my students come to school with a variety to discourses (e.g. home, friends, church, school, sports) and sometimes they struggle with knowing how to fit their home discourse into their school discourse. As a teacher it is important that I know my students and understand where they are coming from so the transition of home discourse and school discourse is not so hard for them. I think this goes back to what I mentioned early about getting to know my students outside of the classroom. When this occurs, I think their home discourse and school discourse will mesh a little easier and may make learning more fun and interesting for them.
Hicks' reports on Laurie and Jake showed how they both enjoyed Writers’ Workshop because they had a voice in their education. As a teacher I have a strong desire to give my students the chance to have a voice in their education. I want them to feel like they are a part of my classroom and their learning. Through reading the results of Writer’s Workshop and reading other comments from my peers about Writer’s Workshop, I am going to incorporate this activity in my classroom next year. I am anxious to see how this affects my students’ learning and my teaching.
I also learned through Hicks' book that family plays the most important role in a child’s education. Her quote on page 123 describes the impact a family has on a child’s education: “The stories voiced about us, by those whom we most love and value, shape our identities in ways more powerful than even the most authoritative institutional systems of social regulation.” As a teacher I it is my job to try to teach my students and make a positive difference in their lives. However; what they see valued at home is what they will value in life and at school. Therefore; Hicks' book has encouraged me even more to think of creative ways to get my students' parents involved in their education. If I can get my students' parents involved, I think the gap between home life and school life will narrow.
Overall, I feel like the theme of the readings and posts in this course are how gender, race, and class impact a child’s education. As a teacher it is my role to evaluate how these characteristics shape my classroom and teaching style. I have to be willing to be flexible, learn from my peers, and evaluate myself if I am going to effectively teach the variety of discourses that make up my classroom. I must get to know my students, allow my students to have a voice in their education, encourage their own language and talk in my room, allow storytelling to be an active part in my classroom, and get parents involved in their child’s education. I cannot view my students as a number or a score on a test, but as an active member in my classroom that I care for and desire the very best for. Michel Foucault’s statement and this course have shown me that I must have an open mind and eyes so I can be a reflective and effective teacher.
Emily Rhoney