Accepting Diversity

After spending an evening with a friend, I learned a lot more about what her late husband did for his career.  He passed away unexpectedly this past January, yet had a lasting and profound impact on the Burlington Public School system.  Dan Balon was a highly educated Filipino-American who made it his mission to improve cultural awareness and racial sensitivity amongst students, teachers, and parents. 

There are many ways teachers open students minds up to different cultures, but we don't always help parents learn about new cultures.  One thing Dan did during his tenure as the Director of Diversity was invite parents to the schools to learn what a hot meal is really all about.  We take for granted that immigrants to the United States might already know what this is.  Dan recognized the importance of this and made it his mission to help parents feel more included in the school system.

With the number of English Language Learners growing at a quick rate, we must ensure that our students are aware and accepting of everyone.  One way we could do this is to offer students a choice class that will take them around the world.  Teachers need to ask parents to come in and bring items that can help students understand more about lots of different cultures.  We must continue to show our students the world in every way possible to lessen the insensitivity to other cultures.

I know speaking with Dan's wife was my eye opening experience to recognizing the impact he had on his community will travel with me back to my school.  I will offer my students a choice class that focuses on different cultures to broaden their knowledge of the world.  What can you do?  Let's make sure our future generation will be accepting of everyone around them.  I know that is what Dan would want.

Choice through Virtual Schooling

I have commented in previous posts about one way to provide choices to students in schools.  This way is the standard elective course selection and bringing it down to the elementary level.  Another way that I have learned more about recently is virtual schooling.

This is a great concept at the outset.  Provide students with an alternative to traditional schooling by allowing them to take their classes online.  Great idea, right?  Every virtual school runs slightly differently, and some are very specific for students who live within certain school districts.  I researched a school in Wisconsin, Jedi Virtual School, and found some fascinating information.  Students work closely with a Personal Learning Coach in order to develop their education plan.  The school is available for students to work asynchronously beginning in Kindergarten all the way through High School graduation.  This is something I could have possibly partaken in as a child when I moved to Japan.

However, what about the social aspect of childhood development?  Do we really want to keep putting our kids in front of screens to learn all day long?  How does this program really support technological advancement of students and what classes are they able to offer to really teach the material?  I think it could be a great idea, I still have questions though.  I am still pondering whether virtual schooling has developed enough to be truly beneficial for those that enroll, or if it is a way to "take the easy way out" of school.

This is a way to provide students with choice, however, just not your traditional choice option.

At what age...

As I sat at a meal with my 2 year old a few days ago, my husband and I became frustrated as she was refusing to eat anything on her plate.  We had to keep asking her to eat and it became a struggle for the entire meal.  The next night we changed it up.  We put a few different things on her plate and just said eat whatever you want.  It was interesting to watch her eyes go around the plate and then pick up and eat her choice.  She ended up eating almost everything on her plate (and trying new vegetables too!)  So, when forced to eat something, she refused and we all became frustrated.  When given a choice, she immediately decided herself what she wanted and we all enjoyed our meals a little more.  At what age do children learn that independence and want to be given choices?

While this article Offering Children Choices is geared towards early childhood development, it still hits on the same criteria that teachers should recognize are important even in the classroom setting.  When provided with choices, students will have a feeling of being in control, they will accept responsibility, and conflict may/should even reduce.

A sentence in the conclusion of this article really hit home for me: The wise teacher understands that children make choices all day long, whether adults want them to or not. They choose to obey, ignore, or defy rules and directions and determine for themselves whether to speak kindly or angrily to others (Grossman, 2007).  Let's make sure we provide students with appropriate choices so they are not going to defy the rules or directions as often.

Show them the world!

So many of our students do not have the opportunity to travel the world and learn about cultural differences.  As I sit in my hotel room in Toronto, I am reminded that I need to constantly provide this for my students.  It can be as simple as showing my students pictures from my personal trips, showing videos or pictures from an area that we are studying, or pulling down that map in the room to remind students about the vast world we live in.

Thinking back to a previous post about reflection, this reminded me of the time last school year that I read a book to my students about Italy.  They were having a hard time really grasping what I was talking about.  My first instinct was to pull the map down and explain where Italy was, what the culture was like, etc.  Then I thought, why not show them pictures from my trip.  Their eyes were glued to the board taking in every picture and enjoying learning about the country through their teacher's eyes.

Another reflection is the holidays around the world celebration I did at our December party.  Students were provided with a passport (and of course taught what that was) and taken on a trip around the world.  They learned about December holidays celebrated in India, Israel, Mexico, and America (Kwanzaa).  Students learned about the customs, games played, and foods eaten.  They created something through an art project at each station and tasted foods from around the world.  The students also loved this experience and were talking about it for the rest of the year.

When contemplating providing students with choices in their classes or class projects, make sure you encourage them to think creatively and use technology to learn about the world.  Challenge your students to learn more about the vast world around them.  Provide the students with as many experiences as possible to truly engage in the wonderful world around them.

Rejuvenate, Reflect, Reevaluate

These three words are what I strive to accomplish every summer.  I will provide details about how I plan on completing each.

1. Rejuvenate: Spend time with family and enjoy sleeping a little later.  I have only been on summer break for about two weeks now, but I have absolutely LOVED every single minute of it.  It is so much fun seeing the world through a 2 year old's eyes.  I am spending some time rejuvenating from the stresses of school year by sleeping in past 5:00 AM.  I might not be that good at it...my body likes to get up at 7:00.  So, the next thing I am doing...training for a triathlon 6 days a week.  Every morning is something (either swim, bike, or run) and then I come home to spend the day going to story time, painting, playing, swimming, or any of the other MANY things my little girl loves to do.  I like to think we are both loving our summer together.  It has also been great to have my husband with me to enjoy these times.  We definitely benefit from having flexible summer schedules.  He has been a lifesaver in helping me continue my education by having so much quality time with our daughter. 

2. Reflect: Take time to think back to how the past school year went and what you might be able to do a little differently.  I like to give myself some time to separate from the school year, but with plenty of time before the next, to reflect on the year as a whole.  Once I realize what went well and what needed some improvement, I then spend time laying out modifications for the upcoming year.  There is always something I can improve upon.

3. Reevaluate: This goes along with reflection.  I reevaluate my teaching strategies and make the appropriate modifications that can be done prior to meeting the new group of students.  From my quick reflection from last school year, I have already reevaluated the way I will provide students with more independent choice in their learning style.  When you provide students with the ability to make choices, they are more engaged and motivated to learn.  Hopefully this motivation will become more intrinsic during the year.

For more information on motivating students, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has an interesting article to peruse.

http://www.uww.edu/learn/motivating_students.php

What do you do during the summer to re-energize yourself for the next school year?

Who motivates who?

Motivation is an interesting topic of conversation.  Many believe that motivation should be intrinsic as opposed to extrinsic.  Students should want to be at school and learn, right?  If that is how it should be, then how come most days feel like a battle to get the kids up and ready for school?

Scott McLeod, founder of dangerouslyirrelevant.org, recently posted on the differences of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation in regards to a school mission statement.  You can see the post here:

http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2013/06/the-fiction-of-most-school-mission-statements.html

If students do not have a desire or drive to come to school, then we must provide that motivation and desire as teachers.  Student choice scheduling should help with that motivation.  Schools that have already implemented this type of scheduling have noticed that attendance has increased, student behavior has reduced, and more students are intrinsically motivated to work more diligently throughout the day.

Give students a pep talk.  Make them realize that you are there to support them and encourage them, but it is there responsibility to take learning into their own hands.  Kids need to feel ownership of their learning.  So, who motivates who?  It is my responsibility to motivate my students, but they motivate me everyday to become a better teacher.

Tenure for K-12 Teachers?

Some believe that tenure is a wonderful thing to have for every teacher in the K-12 setting.  I, for example, do not.  I understand the theory that teachers are granted a continuous contract, however I feel tenure allows teachers to become extremely complacent in their teaching.  In contrast, I understand the importance of tenure in the higher education setting.  Professors need the ability to write their possible controversial topics without being fired for that.  K-12 teachers are generally not writing articles or books that are controversial.  In general, tenure in the K-12 setting is solely for the continuous contract.

It has become a tradition for me to watch the movie Freedom Writers during the summer.  This happened to be on TV last night and brought back many thoughts about why I became a teacher in the first place.  I always want to be that inspiration to my students.  I believe in every child in my classroom and welcome them all with open arms.  My students know that I expect only the best from each of them and they always succeed.  When I do obtain tenure in the next year or so, I will not let that interfere with the way I teach.  Each year is a new group of students, a new group of learning styles, and a breath of fresh air for teaching.  If I continued to teach my students the same each year not only would I become bored, my students wouldn't learn.

There was a very pointed spot in the movie that really had me thinking of the thoughts behind tenure for teachers who have been in the profession for a while.  Why should teachers who have seniority be granted the "higher" students?  Clearly Ms. G has developed a strong relationship with her students.  They have developed and opened up to her in ways they never had before.  I'm not saying ALL tenured teachers become complacent, but I do believe those that have been in the profession for many years lose the drive to do everything it takes to meet the individual needs of their students. 

I understand that firing tenured teachers can be difficult, but it is imperative for principals to do their due diligence to work with every teacher, tenured or not yet tenured, to ensure that the individual needs of students are met.  If a not yet tenured teacher is not meeting expectations then they are "let go" at the end of the one year contract.  While it is more difficult for this to happen to a tenured teacher, it is not forbidden.  However, it is rare that one sees that happen.


If you haven't seen Freedom Writers, it is a MUST see for teachers.  The movie is inspiring and thought provoking.  As I said, I watch it every summer and remind myself to always be the teacher who inspires the students.  I am also reminded to never be complacent and will not let tenure get in the way of my teaching.

Believe in yourself...and your students

I have previously written about the importance of having a sense of purpose, a sense of control, and a sense of competence.  If teachers do not believe in themselves, then how in the world are we to believe in our students?

When I came across the following TED Talk I immediately thought about all of the students I have taught in my career as a Title 1 elementary school teacher.  I realized from the very beginning of teaching that I had a sense of purpose.  I knew it was my responsibility to impart as much knowledge and love into my students as I possibly could in the short time we had together.  This sense of purpose brought me to education in the first place. 

After listening to Pearl Arrendondo's story, I pondered the impression I have made on my students.  I thought, "Have I done enough for them, or can I do more?" Her story is inspiring to say the least.  Realizing her potential and having a teacher and mother who believed in her made her the successful educator she is today. 

I challenge you to take the time to watch the TED Talk and be inspired to be that teacher who makes your students feel worthwhile.  Provide them with the opportunity to think creatively.  Motivate the students to their fullest potential to prepare for the world ahead of them.

From Gangland Daughter to Star Teacher

Take a risk...

Following up to the article I posted previously, I have come away with a few key elements which teachers must provide students.

1. Sense of Control
2. Sense of Purpose
3. Sense of Competence

These three aspects are meant for students.  Providing students with a sense of control means they will have more motivation to participate.  Psychologists have found that students need choice and when we provide them with the choice of which classes to take, they are more inclined to be motivated to attend/perform at a higher level.  To counter the student perspective on sense of control, think about the teacher's perspective.  Teachers are now able to craft lessons that they are more interested in; in turn we are providing teachers with control of their curriculum.  This will also allow teachers to be more motivated to provide creative opportunities for students.

The next aspect is the sense of purpose.  Students need to have a meaningful activity in order to be motivated to continue their learning.  By initially providing control/choice, students are able to select the course they take which allows students to have a self chosen purpose in their learning.  Teachers, in turn, also have a purpose.  It is their responsibility to provide students with the lessons to ensure activities are meaningful and engaging. 

The last point is the sense of competence.  Students need to feel capable of completing a challenging task.  They feel as if they have accomplished something when they thought it might have been too hard.  Similarly for teachers, creating lessons that promote student success through differentiation can be a challenge.  This is something that all teachers should strive to complete.

So, I impart my challenge to you.  Take a risk!  Challenge yourself to create meaningful, engaging lessons that highlight the key aspects that will provide students with opportunities to shine.  Think outside the box and collaborate with others to develop cross-curricular lessons.  In the end, everyone will feel a sense of accomplishment.

Allowing students to choose their classes gives them an opportunity to be more engaged in their learning.  This article provides an interesting background as to the importance of creating classes to motivate students in their schooling.

Crafting Effective Choices to Motivate Students