1.11 Dale Spender - this is the realization that women had to take matters into their own hands in order to be heard and recognized. It is almost always the case that those in power (in this case, men) are perfectly happy - or perfectly ignorant - of the imbalance in the present system. Or, at least, it was: in today's world, so much more emphasis is placed on multiculturalism and diversity in education, even compared to only 20 or 30 years ago, that perhaps we can hope that those in the dominant group are starting to take more responsibility for righting the wrongs of inequity. Spender talks about the battle fought and won by those on the bottom of the system, but it is my hope that those on the bottom will now find more allies on the top.
1.12
1. What is the main purpose of schools? To support and promote self-exploration and inquiry; to allow for the blossoming of students to their full academic potential; to educate responsibly and openly.
2. How does this purpose relate to or serve a diverse society? This allows for students to explore and embrace their own diversities and not see them as set-backs or disadvantages.
3. How does this purpose relate to or serve a socially stratified society? It allows students to move beyond the "box" of labels and achieve to their highest potential, regardless of their social stratification.
4. What are the implications of what you wrote above for the work of a teacher? It places great responsibility on the teacher to be supportive, open, and empathetic to students of all backgrounds and diversities. It requires continual work and energy on the teacher's part.
1.13 As a teacher I envision myself...exactly I stated before, but with a more explicit emphasis on openness and acceptance towards all of my students, continually striving to be more understanding and a great support system, regardless of who those students are and where they come from in relation to myself.
Katie - how will your beliefs in being a teacher drive what school you choose to teach in? Do you see yourself in a public school, or more of a charter or private school setting, like the middle school you attended? I only ask because I can see you doing so much good in a public school, but I see you being more appreciated for your beliefs and values in a charter/private school (depending on the school of course).
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong - I am pulling that you will stay in the public arena because I think the public school system needs you - the students could so benefit from a teacher like you. I am just curious to how you feel about this.
You will be a benefit no matter where you teach. Even if it ends up that you only teach your children how to cook after you go to culinary school. BUT I hope you do teach other than that - the world needs you out there.
I think the feminist issues Spender talks about tie in to Freire's ideas that you must educate the oppressors as well as the oppressed if you want to break a cycle of injustice. As you mention, there is certainly a lot of responsibility placed on teachers' shoulders to create those accepting and empowering classrooms of students. Do you think it is possible for you and your students to have that safe and trusting environment for learning? Why might a classroom that has those characteristics potentially have different outcomes for learning than one in which a teacher pays no attention to the diversity of his or her students?
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that the "dominant group" is becoming more responsible. It takes all of us to make things better.
You are the most open and accepting person that I know. There isn't a school system out there that wouldn't benefit from your beliefs. You are the kind of teacher that will grab the students attention and keep them interested in the subject matter because you will add so many relevant topics to your currculum.