Teacher Transformations

In chapter seven of Critical Encounters Martha describes how she changes as a teacher over her career. It was interesting to me to hear her perspective as a new teacher. How she felt that she should just pour information into her students minds. As she began to see that lecturing was not the answer her role in the classroom changed. This chapter made me appreciate even more the education and training I receive at Alverno. Although I know as a new teacher I will have to constantly adapt and change my approach. I feel that I have an advantage of knowing that constant lecturing in not the answer and that something as simple as how I arrange the desks in my classroom can make all the difference. This chapter reinforced my idea of what type of teacher I want to be and things I want to avoid.

Young Adult Literature

I was glad to see the section on young adult literature in chapter 10 of M&M. I often wonder how much students get out of reading these complex pieces of literature that they cannot relate to. I think they should have to read Shakespeare and other historic pieces of literature, but I think it is important for students to relate to their readings. I also think that when you introduce something like To Kill a Mocking Bird you can compare and contrast to something written from a teen's perspective.

Kumashiro

I found this very interesting and appreciated that the author provided four suggestions as to how to create a classroom of equality. I was glad to see that unlearning was a topic and that it was acknowledge this is a very difficult thing to do. As I was reading I began thinking about my own experience as an "Other" in a primarily Caucasian small town high school and my experience in Milwaukee at the High School of the Arts (MHSA). These were very different experiences. I wondered if Kumashiro’s Anti-Oppressive Education would have been welcomed at Whitewater High School. I know it would have been welcomed with open arms at MHSA, which is why I chose to go there.

Even though Kumashiro provides four different techniques he does not speak much on resistance of students and the repercussions from parents. Most of the stereotypes and prejudices students have are coming from what they have learned at home. There is no discussion on informing the parents so that there is support not only at school but at home. As Kumashiro pointed out we do not know completely who students are or what they are actually learning from these lessons.

I think creating teachable moments and incorporating character education related to race will be much easier than implementing lesson on what Kumashiro calls "queers". I foresee a lot of resistance and backlash in the classroom. I do agree that there should be safe place for students viewed as "other" but that is just the beginning.

It is unfortunate that students and teachers alike treat students who do not fit the norm differently. It is a huge task as a teacher to try to implement these techniques in the classroom, but is very necessary.