The culturally competent teacher communicates in ways that demonstrate sensitivity to sociocultural and linguistic differences, using a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques that encourage positive social interaction and support learning in their classroom...
The classroom that I have been working in has allowed me to see and understand different ways of teaching and responding to children within many situations. Even within the small group that I work with weekly I can see how children need various amounts of attention or help on a daily basis. In order to best serve the children in this class as well as all others, the teacher must actively participate in communicating effectively regardless of the child's linguist or sociocultural differences. This means that the teacher should try to include everyone in discussions about home life and language differences. For example, since there are actually four teachers in the class in which I tutor, each teacher works toward understanding why the children act the way they do and how they can effectively help them learn.
This experience has taught me that though I may speak the same language as the girls I tutor, the parents of those children could possibly speak another language. The parents may also instill different values or customs in the minds of their child than I would. Never the less they all deserve an equal education and my full desire to help. It may be helpful to allow the children to talk about vacation plans, holiday gatherings and daily routines they share with their parents. I would also like to show my students that even adults are capable of learning new things such as languages and customs.
There are two theorists that I believe relate to this prompt. First, I believe Carlson makes a good point when saying that a normalizing community is not the only one that should exist. What about people who do not fit into the lifestyle the empowered people live? Does this make them any less of a person? When dealing with children, teachers cannot hold judgments of a certain type of person or world because it will negatively affect the child. As Carlson points out, those who do not fall into the "normal" group should not be viewed as deviant, they should be able to do more than function in society. In fact they should have every right and privilege that the "normal" group has. We are all people living in a democratic society, so why aren't everyone's opinions accepted and respected?
The second theorist that I thought of while reading the prompt is Kliewer. Though his article discusses disabilities and mainly Down syndrome, it also relates to changes the classroom into a place where individuals are looked at carefully and curriculum is decided from the evaluations of the students. Kliewer points out that sometimes changes need to be made in order to allow a child to excel. This is true of children who come from different sociocultural and linguistic backgrounds too. By teaching in a way that is specific to the students, anyone can be understood and included. This will lead to better relationships between students and teachers as well as the progress students make with their education and friends.
After this experience, I have no doubt in my mind that teaching is nothing to take lightly. In the last several weeks I have learned a great deal about myself and the type of teacher I wish AND do not wish to become. I have seen sad cases of overreacting which has caused both student and teacher to suffer. Some teachers seem so frazzled everyday, while others genuinely enjoy the company of their students and look forward to seeing and helping them. It has been made evident numerous times how the students within this class truly enjoy their teacher. The actual teacher of this class is loved by students, colleagues and even former students. When seen in the hall, kids run up to her and she remembers each of their names. I have found someone that I can aspire to be like because of this experience. I am truly grateful for all I have learned and look forward to working with the students further.
The classroom that I have been working in has allowed me to see and understand different ways of teaching and responding to children within many situations. Even within the small group that I work with weekly I can see how children need various amounts of attention or help on a daily basis. In order to best serve the children in this class as well as all others, the teacher must actively participate in communicating effectively regardless of the child's linguist or sociocultural differences. This means that the teacher should try to include everyone in discussions about home life and language differences. For example, since there are actually four teachers in the class in which I tutor, each teacher works toward understanding why the children act the way they do and how they can effectively help them learn.
This experience has taught me that though I may speak the same language as the girls I tutor, the parents of those children could possibly speak another language. The parents may also instill different values or customs in the minds of their child than I would. Never the less they all deserve an equal education and my full desire to help. It may be helpful to allow the children to talk about vacation plans, holiday gatherings and daily routines they share with their parents. I would also like to show my students that even adults are capable of learning new things such as languages and customs.
There are two theorists that I believe relate to this prompt. First, I believe Carlson makes a good point when saying that a normalizing community is not the only one that should exist. What about people who do not fit into the lifestyle the empowered people live? Does this make them any less of a person? When dealing with children, teachers cannot hold judgments of a certain type of person or world because it will negatively affect the child. As Carlson points out, those who do not fall into the "normal" group should not be viewed as deviant, they should be able to do more than function in society. In fact they should have every right and privilege that the "normal" group has. We are all people living in a democratic society, so why aren't everyone's opinions accepted and respected?
The second theorist that I thought of while reading the prompt is Kliewer. Though his article discusses disabilities and mainly Down syndrome, it also relates to changes the classroom into a place where individuals are looked at carefully and curriculum is decided from the evaluations of the students. Kliewer points out that sometimes changes need to be made in order to allow a child to excel. This is true of children who come from different sociocultural and linguistic backgrounds too. By teaching in a way that is specific to the students, anyone can be understood and included. This will lead to better relationships between students and teachers as well as the progress students make with their education and friends.
After this experience, I have no doubt in my mind that teaching is nothing to take lightly. In the last several weeks I have learned a great deal about myself and the type of teacher I wish AND do not wish to become. I have seen sad cases of overreacting which has caused both student and teacher to suffer. Some teachers seem so frazzled everyday, while others genuinely enjoy the company of their students and look forward to seeing and helping them. It has been made evident numerous times how the students within this class truly enjoy their teacher. The actual teacher of this class is loved by students, colleagues and even former students. When seen in the hall, kids run up to her and she remembers each of their names. I have found someone that I can aspire to be like because of this experience. I am truly grateful for all I have learned and look forward to working with the students further.
posted by Brianna at
3:17 PM
2 Comments:
Dear Brianna-
Another wonderfully written post! I really have enjoyed reading your posts because they usually relate to what’s going on in the classroom I volunteer in, too! In my class, everyone speaks English, but some of their parents also speak another language, like you said about your classroom. And it’s true, we don’t know what values and customs they may have at home, but we can learn and then incorporate it into whatever it is we will end up teaching them.
I honestly didn’t know that you talked about both Carlson and Kliewer for this prompt, because so did I! I focused more on Kliewer because I talked about one of the students who has a mild case of Autism, and then just added a quick reference to Carlson, so I didn’t go into as much depth as you did. But what both of them wrote about was equally important! Carlson, like you said, spoke about how we should have more than just the normalizing community, but also that we should see people for everything that they are, not just solely one aspect of who they are. I connected that back with Kliewer because he spoke about they shouldn’t be seen solely as a child with a disability, but as a member of the community who could offer so much if we just included them. When we do include everyone in the society, that’s when we are following the Deweyan idea of Human Reciprocity, where everyone is a valued member and no one is a burden. This doesn’t only benefit the people who were once excluded, but all of the other members as well.
Great Job once again and I can tell that you are going to make a fabulous teacher some day!
-Molly =O)
Hi Brianna,
Thank you for a thoughtful essay. Your connections are relevant and your theoretical applications are sound. My favorite line, however, was this: " I have no doubt in my mind that teaching is nothing to take lightly." A beautiful note on which to end.
Keep me posted,
Dr. August
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