Question 1: Focus on “educating the whole child”. What does this look like in your classroom and on your site? Consider opportunities to foster and reinforce Social Emotional Learning, inclusive and diverse learning environments, and vehicles for student advocacy.
Question 2: Reflect on your overall experience with this course. What changes will you make as a result of the work that you have done? As I have I have gotten more at home at my site and in my classroom I have began better able to foster a community in my classroom. As a first year teacher just trying to survive all the new changes and curriculum I functioned at a base level and community building wasn't natural for me. Then we had Covid-19 happen and despite being a natural introvert who is happy in her own space -- I suddenly felt claustrophobic and realized how much I need my kids and they needed the normalcy of school. That's where I learned SEL was so impactful for their health and my own as we navigated the new norms, and also fostered community. I want to say my classroom has always been a safe zone for all students and I try to find topics that will interest every student and I definitely have no problems speaking up for their needs as a student and as a developing teen. I truly am thankful for this class and only wish I was not already burnt out when it started. I unfortunately was mentally checked out most days after work. The class before this one was just mind-numbingly aggressive with busy work that didn't help so when I got to this class I just struggled to stay focused. I loved the community and the vibes though! It was really great to focus on the needs of the students as I felt we were also going through similar paths as full-time employed teachers taking night classes; exhaustion, apathy, loss of normalcy, mental draining. This class did help to refill my cup by seeing my peers and sharing how our week was going. You did a great job reading the room and also teaching lessons that were applicable and not random busy work. I would love to work on a real action plan to get my students into lit circles, book clubs, and even have guest speakers to venture into career and college bound paths. But all those ideas will have to wait till I can take a break to refuel after a really crazy year. I also am stoked to be yearbook advisor and getting to know students outside of a "core standards" curriculum and discover passions and interests in photography, writing, layout and design and collaboration.
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What does it mean to be “digitally literate”? How does Digital Citizenship contribute to digital literacy, and how do they support college/career readiness?
To me, digital literacy, is the ability to use technology and computers in an appropriate manner to assist with tasks at hand. For example, if I were to assign an essay through Google Docs, I would expect my students to know how to type, use spellcheck, locate and cite research sources to complete their essay. Not all students are capable but they should have some knowledge of the skills needed to complete task -- I would also assist along the way sharing my resources on how to navigate websites, cite sources, use spellcheck (or use grammarly or other tools). Digital citizenship is the "common sense" of the digital world. Students and persons should understand that there are a set of "rules" when accessing the online or digital world. Users should be savvy of not only what they access but how they accessed it and how they interact with it. The internet is an AMAZING tool, and as cliché as it is, [the internet] comes with Great Responsibility! Its knowing how to use those tools appropriately to gain the full functionality and power that can be attained with that learning. There are various types of citizenship and that is also reflected online. You have programmers, writers, gamers, assistants, etc... all of these people use different tools online to facilitate with their jobs. This is useful for supporting students to college and career readiness. There isn't a singular path to follow as you head towards graduation or post graduating. There are basics to online literacy and being a good digital citizen which will help with college and career paths. These basics set a great foundation for building up and expanding depending on the chosen path. Knowing how to use and access digital content as well as understanding that every action has a reaction and/or consequence. If the student is very fortunate they will have had access to more focused lessons to train them for their chosen course. For example, if you want to go into engineering, hopefully they were able to have access to digital resources to carry on to their future endeavors. Just as I try to teach them the basics for writing and research for an English or writing career. Each teacher has the ability to prepare and guide the students to accessing information that they can use in their future with the provided technology. It's interesting to me to experience activities I give to students as an introvert. In my classroom I am not as introverted as I have to lead the room in discussions and activities. I do four corners a lot of times in my classes especially at the beginning of a unit. The topics chosen for our TCSJ class were provocative enough to elicit some strong emotions but being placed in larger groups does intimidate one to speak their truth (even though its a presumed agreement based on the corner we stand in). It is great to listen to others, especially if I were a student who might not understand the topics (ELD or IEP students).
Additionally, as seen in my own classroom, four corners does have some shortcomings in individual accountability. It is nearly impossible to have 15 people in one corner each share out or also hear each one personally discuss with peers. I was dinged on an observation for just that reason. So even with the best topics and student interest, there is some deficits in gauging individual participation. An alternative is a gallery walk, in which students must write their opinions on post-its. As for the responses and opinions shared in class there were some amazing points made. The talent/hard work one I think was the hardest for me to choose. Even after hearing my peer's I was uncertain on my own stance so I would love to see a follow up on that topic or maybe more examples. It was also interesting to see how different teachers/schools handle cellphones and homework. TOD/Reflection: What is one new thing that you will commit to trying in your classroom/on your site to foster and reinforce family and community connection?
I am currently working with a few students on reaching out to them and their families before jumping to punishment. So far, it has been unsuccessful, but I am still going to try. I also want to work on reaching out to students' families who are excelling in class. At my site we reach out to the D and F students (at risk of failing) -- I think it'd raise morale to praise the students who are striving to succeed. But, if I'm truly being honest, these next 4 weeks are survival for myself and my kids. So I shall exhibit grace and understanding for students as they juggle just as many things, if not more than I do. I try to offer a safe and positive space 24/7 no matter how stressed and/or depressed I might be feeling. I loved the ideas mentioned in class but its so hard to do all those things when we have CSETS, TPA's, classwork and job commitments. What are the barriers that some students experience that prevent college and career readiness? What supports are currently in place at your site, district or in your community that will help students to succeed? What intentional changes will you make to your instruction and your classroom environment that will support students in overcoming these barriers? Looking ahead…How will eliminating these barriers/obstacles and providing supports, help students to thrive as citizens in an interconnected world and a global society?
To just name a few barriers affecting students from proceeding into college and career readiness is unfortunately easy. For my district students are affected by low income, first generation struggles, not being academically supported or encouraged. I know at my site in particular there are MANY teachers who work with students to fill out the FAFSA, find, aid and support scholarship opportunities, DELTA classes to aid with CSU application later. Not only is there college support but we also have many different guest speakers who promote and share career paths for students that doesn't require college credits; Armed forces, welding, linemen, plumbing, etc. Many of these career programs are internships that work with companies for immediate employment after. In connection to income is the first generational student who will be 'first' to enter college. These students often have higher responsibilities at home that can impact their choice of career or college as they provide supplementary support for their family. Lastly there are the students not being reached or met to continue on into careers or college. These are the students who may feel inadequate or ignored. Personally, as an English class I try to explain the importance of reading, writing, speaking and listening in all aspects of future endeavors. The ability to express oneself, ideas, and communicate with colleagues and clientele is important. It also assists in critical thinking which will come handy for many common sense scenarios. These skills are transferable in both college and career settings and can really set one apart. I know that we have curriculum with set writing prompts, but let's be honest, these academic text prompts are really written for the academic world. I like to pull in real life applicable topics to assist in the understanding and use of English techniques. I try to use the curriculum in a format that will assist my students for jobs now and in their future. Skills that will help them in their current courses. I also try to use my own example of student debt to encourage students to take advantage of the DELTA program we have to help them get effective cost efficient college credit -- they can still be successful and make the same money as students with Ivy League education. For my students who have the responsibility of taking care of younger siblings, I am very understanding of their situation and give them chances to complete the work as long as there is open communication to their struggles and it allows me to meet them where they need it the most. I also try to touch in with at least 2-3 different students a week or if I notice a shift in mood. How do my content standards, CC anchor standards for literacy work together in tandem to support college & career readiness and CTE standards? Looking ahead…How will this help students to thrive as citizens in an interconnected world and a global society?
I use a variety of standards to teach the school's curriculum in tandem with the common core state standards. But more importantly I like to implement that students should "write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences." I believe that just practicing writing daily will help with stamina in writing, as well as self-discovery, introspection and reflection on ones thoughts, actions and plans. Learning how to connect our thoughts cohesively, into well-developed intentions. It can also be applied for interpersonal connections and strengthening relationships. Even as technology makes advancements; communication will still be necessary for professional and academic growth. “What’d you do in class today?”
I listened to some amazing stories by my classmates and friends about their calling and passion to the career and dedication for students learning. So many beautiful stories; from those who never intended teaching and had stumbled across it to the peers' who were generationally continuing their families' calling. I am so proud of all the ways they had their "lightbulb" moments but I also am curious how they came across that passion. I don't feel I'm as good as I want to be - still working on my craft. Internet and computers have caused such a dynamic shift to how people work, talk, play and relate in the real world. It's also running on a rapid speed not seen before. Children from a young age are overwhelmed with technology from infancy+ (we have smart trackers/cameras/monitors for everything). This technology is changing our community, nation and world. We can now deliver groceries/packages through robotics, we can cook and do surgeries through robotics, vehicles are going faster and using less fossil fuels -- cleaner energy is the goal. How do we prepare our youth for the real world practicalities with the old school teaching? We aren't teaching to the needs of our population if we want to continue the growth trend. It is integral to incorporate more critical thinking, project/collaborative, and creating practices into my teaching style that would also meet the growing needs of society. I have a lot of growth to pursue in my teaching career that will require flexibility as we adjust to the demands in preparing our students for the new workforce. Are there things that all students need to learn? How does the history of education contribute to the current challenges related to post-secondary success for all students?
In my opinion, students of all ages are always going to need to learn new things; teachers, are not too dissimilar from their students, in that they are constantly learning, changing, and perfecting their craft. We learn to be flexible and accommodate our students' needs and learning styles so that they can also engage and transform as they learn. Based on the multimedia presentations and my reading of Huffington post articles it's pretty clear that education needs to adapt and evolve. The biggest pattern that I noticed was that you can't stay stagnant... life is always moving and one-upping itself. I found it interesting that the Huffington Post, introduction to the history of education, said that education started as a debate of the popular voices -- this intuitively leaves a massive group of people marginalized and lost when popularity is chosen. This disparity of opportunities already signals to me that education might not have had the best interests of ALL students. Which reminds me... education was for the 'privileged white man', women-only were lucky to have an education if they didn't find a man to marry. Forbid you were to be born with more melanin in your skin and you were S.O.L. of having the opportunities to grow and succeed in this new system. Plus the Christianity push was driven into education and the need to 'train' the barbarous natives to have a more Puritanical mindset. I digress, education isn't nearly as black/white (sic... segregation) as it once was, and there are more diverse hands and voices in the system advocating for equitable opportunities plus varying influences contributing to these changes. The pandemic, although inconvenient, has shed some light on the cracks in our system as we realized not every student has internet or computers... that's a disadvantage against them. I think it's great that most teachers have such open minds to see these road bumps and realize, we need to change it. Unfortunately, we have to get through some rigid minds and bureaucracy, to truly let the seeds of change be planted and set root to flourish. Endnote: As a creative writer and quiet person... our presentations were very challenging. I am happy to be in our FINAL class at TCSJ. It's gonna be bittersweet separating from those we've worked with for 2 years but we are all ready to move on to our next chapters as these two years have been... something else. I appreciate that Andrew was super open and flexible on our first night. When technology wasn't as cooperative, I appreciate the ability to adjust and make proper engagements; such as what goals should he have, we have and I have. My partner brought up a great point about the disparities between school districts based on tax brackets, parent interaction and teacher priority. I know I have seen differences across the nation thanks to Tik Tok and pandemic honesty; how some school districts lack funding for classroom repairs.
We can even see the disparities within the same district or just a town over and its both fascinating but also sometimes disheartening. We know we live in a society with societal differences so why should it be surprising that these affect our education and students. Sadly, where you are born and raised can really impact your future. We are taught to teach equitably but the system itself is somewhat broken since not every school is equitable to its peer. Although it makes it more amazing when students break through the system and achieve amazing things for themselves, especially if coming from a neighborhood or school that lacks the same commodities as other schools with better backing and funding. Despite knowing its imperfections we definitely are in the field to teach our students to the best of our abilities to become amazing humans both inside and outside the academic world. |
Author3rd year English Teacher to amazing Sophomores and Juniors at Cesar Chavez High School. Archives
May 2022
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