Blog Post 4: "What Should Teachers Do?"

         Ebonics can be defined as an American black English regarded as a language in its own right rather than as a dialect of standard English. This language, has become a well-talked about topic, especially in the lives of teachers and schools. People have many views about this language and its effects on education, but specifically Lisa Delpit's view is that, "Teachers should recognize that the linguistic form a student brings to school is intimately connected with loved one’s community, and personal identity. To suggest that this form is “wrong” or, even worse, ignorant, is to suggest that something is wrong with the student and his or her family (33)." I found myself agreeing with Delpit's outlook the most, since it seems to be the most respectful way of approaching Ebonics. 

Each and everyone of us have come from different families, communities, and childhoods that have sculpted us into the people we are today. Despite where we come from and what our life experiences are it is important/necessary for all of us to recognize and respect the way others are. Although many teachers find it necessary to correct their students when they speak Ebonics, I personally would not. I understand that sometimes it is not easily understood, from past experiences, but that is who they are. In terms of teaching I think that as long as the students understand the material and are capable of expressing their thoughts/ideas in a civil way that is all that is important. Like Delpit stated in the excerpt many students do not respond well when teacher are constantly correcting their Ebonics-speaking. Not only does it push the students further away, but it causes frustration for both the students and teachers. 

If teachers feel the need to correct their students, I think they need to carefully go about it and use the techniques Delpit talked about, such as performing plays, morning announcements, or interpreting famous people. I believe that using these techniques make it more fun for the students, since they do not feel forced or pressured to correct their speaking. Using these ways is more beneficial for both the teachers and students.

Reading this excerpt made become more aware of others’ characteristics and how important it is to be respectful, especially as a future teacher. Like Delpit said, correcting others based on the way they speak, “will not make any of them more intelligent. It will not teach them math or science or geography- or for that matter, compassion, courage, or responsibility” (39). The overall message is that we need to start focusing on things that truly impact our students’ understanding and well-being. 

Blog Post 3: More Exploration of Mental Filters and Their Influences on Perception

      OBSERVATIONS:          INTERPRETATIONS:                            

1. Five girls sitting together, eating breakfast,                   They are most likely friends, grabbing 
       looking at their phones, and making small                    food before they go to class. Might be 
       conversation.                                                                  tired, because there isn't much talking.                  

2.    Large group of people waiting outside the door,            Doesn't seem that any of them are friends.
       because the line is so long. No one is saying                 Mainly just waiting in line to get food and
       much to each other. Mostly looking at their                   using their phones to pass the time.
       phones. 

3.   A guy student, sitting at a table with an older                  The student could be talking to one of 
      man. They appear to be having a deep                             his professors about something he is 
      conversation.                                                                    struggling in class with.

4.    Workers are yelling orders. Constantly                          The workers are overwhelmed by the long
       making new orders and cashing people                          line and trying not to get behind on the 
       out.                                                                                  orders.

5.    Guy standing by the drink counter, checking                  He is in a hurry and needs to get to class.
       his phone and foot taping. 

6.    Guy standing in line, holding motorcycle helmet           He is a commuter student, just got to
       and has headphone in.                                                     campus, and is getting some breakfast.

7.    Girl and guy eating breakfast together. They are            The two are boyfriend and girlfriend. 
       conversing, smiling, and laughing a lot. 

8.    Guy sitting at a table by himself. He has his                    He is trying to focus so he is sitting 
       notebook out and is reading over his notes.                     alone. He is studying for an upcoming
       Saying things out loud to himself every once                  test, by reciting his notes.
       in awhile.

9.    Girl sitting far away from everyone in the cafe,              She has a presentation today, so she is
       she is looking at her laptop and is very                            dressed nicely, looking over her slides.
       dressed up.

10.   Guy wearing all camo, eating breakfast by                     He is apart of ROTC.
        himself. 

11.   Two workers standing outside Einstein's                         The two women are taking a break from
        having a causal conversation with one and                      work and having a good laugh to release
        other. The women are laughing and patting                     stress.
        each other on the back. 

Reflection: 

        This assignment was pretty interesting. I went to Einstein's with Annie and we both sat at the counter closest to the entrance. When we first got there I wasn't sure where to start or who to observe. The first people I observed were five girls that were sitting all together, eating bagels and drinking coffee. The five of them were hardly talking. They all sat on their phones barely making conversation to one and other. It made me wonder what the point of them going to breakfast together was if they weren't even talking to each other? I also realized that this is something me and my friends do all the time too. When you see it happening from an outside perspective it just seems silly that you go out with people and then sit in silence on your phones. This is something I definitely want to work on in the future.  

        Another thing this assignment made me realize is how quick people, including myself judge people and make assumptions. I try to keep as much as an open-mind about people before I get to know them but it is a pretty hard task to do. People watching also made me realize, is how different everyone acts in the same surroundings. In Einstein’s the atmosphere was pretty loud, but there were people studying, working on projects, and just hanging out. Personally, I find it hard to work in an environment that has that many distractions and high noise level.

       What also surprised me was how different Annie and I’s observations were. We both sat right next to each other and saw many things one and other did not also see. It just goes to show how different people’s perspectives and insights are. 

Blog 2: Significance of Lisa Delpit Quote

         Lisa Delpit once said, “We do not really see through our eyes or hear through our ears, but through our beliefs. To put our beliefs on hold is to cease to exist as ourselves for a moment.” Based on past experiences and readings I found that this quote holds much truth and significance to it. 
         Growing up I was always told to look at people and situations with an open-mind, a task that is easier said then done. Until a few years ago when I began volunteering at a refugee center, I never fully understood the importance of being nonjudgemental and open to new people/opportunities. At the center, Vive la Casa, I set aside all my pre-conceived notions and completely immersed myself into this opportunity. I met families from Ghana, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Despite our language barrier we made a real connection through playing games, making crafts, and organizing their rooms. Looking back on this experience, I am so happy that I let go of my beliefs for once and saw/heard the people for who they truly are. 

In Bill Ayer’s book, To Teach, Delpit’s quote further exemplifies Ayer’s underlying message, that in order to create a successful and happy learning environment teachers need to keep open-minds, stay optimistic, and see the potential in their students. One of Ayer’s quotes that stood out to me said, “The student grows and changes, the teacher learns, the situation shifts, and seeing becomes an evolving challenge. As the student becomes more fully present to the teacher, experiences and ways of thinking and knowing that were initially obscure become the ground on which an authentic and vital teaching practice can be constructed” (13). After breaking down this quote, one can see that Ayer is saying how influential getting to know your students and teachers is. Making deeper connections and listening to one another without judgements makes a huge difference in having a good relationship with each other. 

Seeing people with our eyes and hearing them with our ears instead of our beliefs is great advice everyone should listen to. Not only has it helped me immerse myself into new situations, but it has also taught me to improve my relationships by becoming more understanding and open-minded. 

Blog 1: Survey Response

1. I liked to be called Maggie. 

2. I am from a small town outside of Buffalo called East Aurora. 

3. I am not 100% if I want to be a teacher or Speech Pathologist. If I do become a teacher, I would like to teach kids who have special needs, from Kindergarten to 5th grade.

4. I love going hiking, kayaking, and doing anything outdoors. This semester I want to learn how to do yoga, to help me be less stressed out about school. I also would like to join campus ministry and potentially sign up for an immersion trip.

5. After reading through many essays I finally found one that stood out to me a lot. The article was about two things that matter most to me, family and helping others. The reading was about a family of eight, who spent their summer vacation taking a road trip across America, helping families who have children with genetic disorders and illnesses. I gravitated to this article most because my family means a lot to me and I enjoy spending time volunteering at a refugee center in downtown Buffalo. http://www.people.com/article/family-road-trip-helps-others

6. In order to feel comfortable about taking risks in class, I like to feel that my classmates won't judge me about my opinions and if I don't get a question right in class. I also always feel more comfortable too, when the teacher goes at a pace the whole class is comfortable with and not a pace he/she thinks we should be going at. 

7.  A formative memory I have had as a student is when I was failing a science class but was too afraid to ask questions or speak up during class about my confusion, since my teacher would make a student feel bad about themselves if they didn't get everything right away.  I continued failing for another month or so, until I was put into AIS (academic intervention services class). At my school AIS had a reputation for being known as the class for "dumb" kids. I was embarrassed to be in it, but more embarrassed I had let my grade get so low, from being scared to ask for help. The class gave you one on one attention with a teacher and ended up improving my grade immensely. Looking back on the experience it was a great learning lesson. I came to the realization that I should never feel "dumb" for needing help, everyone needs help at some points, and most likely another person is confused as well. This situation has become one of the main reasons I want to become a teacher. I don't want other kids to feel "dumb" or not be comfortable coming to their teachers in times of need. Being a teacher you are given the opportunity to make learning a positive experience and I hope to be able to do that someday. 

8. A significant issue in education right now, is the Common Core. Having a younger brother, who is using Common Core, has enabled me to be exposed to the flaws of this system. My main issue with the Common Core is that it is hindering children from being creative. Children need to be able to solve problems/issues in their own ways. The Common Core is taking away from the early developmental years of how to be innovative and see things from different point of views. These early developmental years are key to their future and problems that may arise, without developing their own creativity abilities, they are going to struggle thinking outside of the box. Another main concern I have is technology. In today's society technology is everywhere and everyone has it. Although it does have its advantages, there are many disadvantages. Kids today rely to look everything up online, especially when it comes to school. There is a major increase in cheating and taking the easy way out of school work. Technology has also become a huge distraction in the classroom. Specifically cellphones cause students to be less focused about what is being taught. In addition to these disadvantages, technology is taken away from time being active in clubs or sports. With the immense amount of time people are spending on their devices, it means less time playing sports or joining clubs. This is problematic both physically and emotionally. Physically, students are getting little to no exercise, which could lead to obesity. Emotionally, kids are not developing quality relationships with fellow classmates and teachers. To improve this problem I think rules on when the appropriate time for technology use should be more heavily enforced. 

9. What made you want to become a college professor?
     If you had the chance to go back in time, knowing what you know now, would you choose a different profession?