Sienna's+Page

Here is my reflection! I hope it doesn't come off as preachy--after thinking about what I have been learning in this class I realize I have very strong feelings about equality, identity, and respect.

Sienna

Since writing my response about getting an identity I did not want in elementary school, I’ve been thinking about ways to avoid doing the same kinds of things to my own students. It’s not fair to not give others the chance to form their own identities, and I want to give my students a chance to define themselves. I have read that students labeled as “stupid” or “slow” even at a young age will allow those labels to define them, even though they are undoubtedly bright and gifted children. If a child feels that no one believes in them, they will not be able to believe in themselves and will conform to the label they are given. Although I will not be teaching at such an early level of schooling, I believe there are things that can be done to give students a second chance in high school. By using the guidelines in chapter 8 of the Beers book, I think we can work as teachers to help students define themselves by becoming open to all cultures and void of all stereotypes. If we can give up the stereotypes engrained in our minds, we will be less likely to force certain identities on our students. We must, of course, hold all of our students to the same standard or courtesy and good citizenship in our classrooms, but also be willing to accept and be open to differences in culture. To do this, we must be willing to learn about and from their cultures. A “culture day” at school is not something that is likely to work, because it is so easy to get caught up in the stereotypes.
 * Assignment Ten**

Growing up in a homogenous school, diversity is not something my school worried about. In fact, I had not really given diversity a thought until I came to college and realized how stuck in our stereotypes we are. I feel as though my family doesn’t understand me now, because with all of my talk of equality and diversity, I have suddenly become “a liberal” from a conservative family. I argue that there is nothing wrong with wanting equal rights for all people—and I don’t even think this should be an argument. It should be a fact. Likewise, we must have equality in our teaching practices. Students who speak a different language in our country need to have equal access to education in order to learn. //My Trouble is My English// is a perfect example. If the students had access to texts in their home language, they would be able to learn the more complex material that they are cognitively capable of, but are unable to learn because of the language barrier. I do realize that some of the children had not learned to read or write in their home language, but this applies to any ESL students who could read and write in their first language. These students don’t need anything dumbed down for them. They simply need to learn in their own language as they learn their new language. Eventually, with time and practice, the students will be bilingual and able to communicate in their new second language.

Issues of identity, culture, language, and equality all relate, at least in my mind. People can’t form positive identities for themselves if someone looks down on their culture and language. When this happens, they are no longer treated with equality, especially in a school setting. It is difficult, if not impossible, to develop self-respect when you are not respected or valued. The only way to really let students form identities for themselves is to look at each student as an individual with a unique story to tell. Do not give into stereotypes and realize that every person is special. Because of this class, I am beginning to be able to vocalize these feelings that I have felt ever since entering college. In this country, we are led to believe that we are all treated with equality and that we all have the same chances in life. I have learned that the hegemony in our school systems and our country makes this not so. We are not all equal and we don’t all have the same chances in life. As teachers, I believe we need to begin reversing this system that we have all passively learned to accept. Only through education will we ever begin to question what is considered normal and look at it critically.

I agree with you Sienna that students should be allowed to form their own identity without being labeled or stigmatized. I like how you talk about the importance of getting rid of stereotypes in our classroom. I believe the teacher can be very influential when it comes to this, by creating an inviting classroom environment for all students. I am also from a small school where we had a homogenous population, so I never dealt much with diversity until I came here either. I don't think it's fair to be labeled as a "liberal" in a negative connotation for believing all people should have equal rights, especially for our students. This should be an expectation all people should have, like you said. I like how you brought up the importance of letting ELLs learn in their native language first. I also discussed this in my reflection, and think it should be practiced more by teachers because of the benefits it has for these students learning English at a faster pace. I definitely agree that equality in our nation needs to start with education, and we as teachers need to push for it everyday in our classrooms.
 * Sam's Response:**

I agree that there are a lot of students that let their early identities define them. Matter of fact, I was labeled as “the kid no one wanted to talk to” in elementary school and almost let it define me. Luckily, I had amazing middle school teachers that helped students push past this and I ended up becoming the kid that everyone talked to. Additionally, equality is definitely something that needs to be in everyone’s classroom. If we don’t show confidence in our students, how will anyone else? It really is just a matter of getting them in the right environment, whether that is being taught in their own language, in a “normal” classroom with someone there to explain the words they don’t understand, or any other way that seems to fit the environment they need. I couldn’t agree more with everything you say in your last paragraph. The thing that has always bugged me is the idea we are supposed to be all equal with the same chances but that really isn’t how it is. To me it is pretty obvious that this isn’t the case and never really figured out why people still try to say this. Sure, it sounds idealistic but it’s not the truth. It truly irks me that we insist on saying one thing but our actions usually show something completely different.
 * Kevin's Response:**

Sienna, I agree with you completely, especially with your last paragraph. This week I have been observing in a 6th grade classroom down here in Saginaw. It is definitely interesting how many students have been labeled something in previous years and how it has effected their role in the classroom now. The identities that some of these students have are hard to see. The teacher that I am working with has done a decent job of not letting the stereotypes and identities created by others get in the way in the classroom. It is hard to see so many students that seem trapped in a specific role in the classroom. In a classroom it is definitely the job of the teacher to set the tone for the room. The background of the teacher as well as the community that the school is in definitely influence the tone of the classroom as well.
 * Kendra's Response:**