From what I got out of this reading is that in order to succeed as an urban educator you have to go into the classroom with an open mind.
It would be unjust to the students if you brought your assumptions of the economically deprived with you into the classroom. When you don’t bring those ideas with you into the classroom there is a much better chance of success and acceptance with the students.
There is a good summation of my previously noted ideas that is stated in the reading as follows, “
Our only recourse is to change ourselves: our preconceived (conscious and unconscious) derogatory perceptions about our students and, most important, our will to effectively educate our students.” You will be need to realize that you will be entering an unconformable territory especially for some who did not grow up into this particular environment but one can not let that affect your teaching.
You will be doing a disservice to the kids if you are afraid to be your true self.
In conclusion I believe to truly be a good teacher in an urban city environment you would need to ultimately be fully committed to the kids and not allow any of your assumptions to get in the way of what is really at the center of what is important, which are the students. To teach in an inner city classroom would be challenging but it is much more rewarding because you help kids discover things about themselves that were previously hidden away by the depravation of the correct education.
3 comments:
I agree with you. I think that you do have to enter the classroom as yourself. I do not think the traits that comprise your personality matter as much as your reason for being there in the first place. It should have to do with the fact that you love what you do, you care about the kids, and you want to teach/guide them to be better versions of themselves. You can be loud, quiet, aggressive, calm, whatever, the bottom line is how you treat the important job you have and the children to whom you have a responsibility. You need to let go of your assumptions, not only of the children, but of yourself as well, and commit to the job you are lucky to have.
You are so right about the open mind. I believe one of the administrators mentioned that she hopes the students can walk into the building leaving their baggage at the door but let's face --- we need to do the same.
We need to forget what we experienced or presuppose about the students and let them tell us their story.
I 100% agree with you. Teachers need to have an open mind no matter what type of school you are planning to teach in. Kids know if you are not being yourself and react in a similar fashion. Leave your assumptions at the door and have a fresh start with your class.
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