As a future educator, this week has been eye opening. We discussed race, racism, bias, and believing in our students. There is nothing more powerful in this world than love. This week I am most proud of reviewing my lens of bias in EDUC 350. This was a wonderful experience for me because so often I don't realize the lens in which I am using to look at the world, especially in my classroom. I struggled this week with making sure I did not procrastinate on my school work. I dealt with the struggle by creating deadlines of my own for my school work. In my learning, the video below brought me the most satisfaction. It reminded me of the reason that I am becoming an educator. Every student in my classroom deserves for me to believe in them. They deserve love, encouragement, and so much more. I may be the only person to smile at them or speak to them that day. It breaks my heart to know that children go through this, but my heart is overjoyed at the opportunity that I have to make a difference in this world.
The action steps that I want to take this week are to learn three new words, spend time with my roommates, and dedicate 15 minutes of prayer time every day! I want to do these things in order to build relationships and become more linguistically capable. This week in class I worked with my colleagues discussing important academic issues. In order to contribute more, I can make sure that I have researched important topics in order to allow for more discussion.
In my outside research, I searched for ways to make a classroom environment more like a family where everyone can feel loved and supported. The website I found mentioned several strategies to help build the classroom community. One of those was building the classroom through identity. When a child walks through the door they feel as if their classroom reflects them, their culture, and their identity. For example, a teacher could invite families to send in family photos to decorate the classroom with before the year begins. This would help with parental involvement too.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/building-community-classroom/
Top Tweets:
These three questions are so appropriate. When I walk into a classroom, I want to know the answer to those three questions. As a college student and a student for many years, I can honestly say that not every teacher that I have had could answer those questions, "yes." I strive to be a teacher that can answer, "YES," for all my kiddos.
With this tweet, I appreciated how it pointed out getting to know the students and building relationships was essential to showing how much you care. This is absolutely true. In the words of Dr. Clark, "Kids will do anything you ask of them if you show them that you care."
In my classroom, I want to encourage my kids to be world changers. In order to do that, I must involve them and help them learn about ways in which they can change the world.
Scientific Thinking:
This week I have been learning about the current event of Hurricane Irma. I found a Newsela article that explains what a hurricane is to children. https://newsela.com/read/lib-nasa-what-is-hurricane/id/22629 We are talking in SCED about how to connect make phenomena become real to kids, and this is a definite way to do just that.
This week I learned that believing in students and loving them is the first and foremost important thing. Standards, lessons, and assessments can come later. This directly relates to NCPTS standard 2: Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults. This relates to my science instruction because my students will not care one iota about science if they do not know that I care about them.
Over this week, I have made connections about the importance of being that person for my kids, each one of them. This is a tough job, I won't reach every child, but I know I can try.
To end on a postive note,
I have a deep respect for all of you future educators. You have the power to empower. Have a wonderful weekend!!
Mallory
Mallory,
ReplyDeleteI feel your passion for making a difference in children's lives just from reading your post. I love that video you shared and remember watching it in 350. It is true that if our students don't know we care about them then they will have no motivation to learn. The family ideas you had for your future classroom are great! Many times, we are like a mom to our students and our students are like brothers and sisters to each other-- one big classroom family! Thank you for reminding all of us future teachers why we are doing our jobs!
Mallory, it was obvious in class this past week how much you care and how passionate you are to become a teacher. You will definitely be a great one that many, if not all, of your students will love! You will impact so many children for the greater good; there's not telling how far the ripple effects of your kindness will reach. One thing I might point out would be, maybe instead of having children bring in photos of their families, have them bring in something that makes them happy or welcome or loved. Some kids might not have a family, and if all the other kids are bringing in photos of their families, that might be a point of conflict, pain, and sadness. Instead, have them bring in something they identify with that shows their character and culture and pride. You can suggest things like: a family photo, a stuffed animal, a lucky charm, a special sock or hat, etc etc. Great ideas and great post! I cannot wait for the day you are out their teaching! You are going to be awesome!
ReplyDeleteMallory,
ReplyDeleteYou are making great connections! I love that you are finding lots of inspiration that will help fuel your fire to build relationships with students. Think about the connection you can make between Hurricane Irma and this relationship concept. Are there things you could do as you are studying the weather behind Irma to connect students to the local community? To the global community?
Dr. C
Mallory, Great connections here. I know your classroom is going to be a place where students are loved and they will know it!
ReplyDelete