I came to the United States when I was eight years old. It was the toughest time in my life. I was terrified to go to school because I did not know how to speak English and I did not know anyone. My teachers at the time had absolutely no idea about what it was like to be in my shoes, but they all saw my potential. Their caring nature helped me out the most, without it I would not have gotten as far in life. They never gave up on me and kept pushing me to succeed. The teachers that I have had have been the best teachers anyone could have ever had. They have all inspired me to try hard and be the best that I can be. I want to make the same impact on my students that my teachers have made on me.
Whether they know it or not, every child walks through the school doors with the hopes of being able to walk out much wiser and ready for the real world. Parents send their children to school to learn valuable life skills that will prepare them for their future and to gain all the knowledge that they can. Students are especially able to develop their personalities in a social setting.
I hope to create a very warm climate in my classroom. I want to treat every child the same way and love them all the same. The only difference that I hope to celebrate with them is their identity. I want to make my classroom the place where every student will learn all that they can learn and walk out being ready for the real world. My wish is that they will all be the best they can be and never give up on any dream that they have.
The power of knowledge opens up one’s mind, leads them to explore worlds foreign to one self, and provides a well-rounded life. Sending children to school teaches them the basics of different subjects. In school they also begin to explore who they really are in a social setting. This is also the place they learn the importance of seeing their teachers and other school officials as being important role models in the community for them to emulate. And it all starts with them walking through the school doors full of potential and thirst for knowledge they did not even know existed.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Waiting for Superman
Waiting for Superman is a documentary film about the corrupt school system in the United States of America.The country that is revered as the land of opportunity is actually not so. Teachers who are not motivators, who do not have students' best interests at heart, are allowed to continue teaching no matter what missteps they may take. Some teachers have fought back saying that so much has been blame has been placed on the teachers, but it is actually those higher up who aren't making the right decisions to benefit students. This interview clip shows some of the debate that has sparked after the film's release. http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=V4AS8RVEDiw
Regardless of who is to blame, the reality still stands that students who have a passion for learning, but not the funds to do so are sent to schools that are notoriously known as drop-out factories. These schools basically set up students to fail. They are not presented with the same materials that students are presented with who go to more affluent schools. If these students want to go to the better schools, there is a lottery system that is held annually. To see children and their parents sitting in big auditoriums for hours praying for their selection is heartbreaking. Where is the equality in education? Where is the basic right to attain a quality education in the richest land in the world? Where is the fairness?
I encourage everyone to watch this documentary from beginning to end. It is an honest representation of how we are not giving a fair chance to students in this country. This trailer from Waiting for Superman was more than enough to convince me to watch the documentary. I hope it does the same for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFN0nf6Hqk0
Regardless of who is to blame, the reality still stands that students who have a passion for learning, but not the funds to do so are sent to schools that are notoriously known as drop-out factories. These schools basically set up students to fail. They are not presented with the same materials that students are presented with who go to more affluent schools. If these students want to go to the better schools, there is a lottery system that is held annually. To see children and their parents sitting in big auditoriums for hours praying for their selection is heartbreaking. Where is the equality in education? Where is the basic right to attain a quality education in the richest land in the world? Where is the fairness?
I encourage everyone to watch this documentary from beginning to end. It is an honest representation of how we are not giving a fair chance to students in this country. This trailer from Waiting for Superman was more than enough to convince me to watch the documentary. I hope it does the same for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFN0nf6Hqk0
Champion of Education Reform
Michelle Rhee is a champion in the education world. The day she was appointed Chancellor of the DC school system, she set out change it, drastically. She fired many teachers and principals, even her own children's principal. Those who did not perform up to Michelle's standards were let go. Many people were outraged with the maverick who set out to change the ways everyone was used to. However, Michelle was never affected by anyone's criticisms of her. With Michelle's reforms, DC became the only major city school system that had a double-digit growth in reading and math scores. This is just one example of the incredible impact Michelle.
She did not care about being popular as she stated in this interview with CNN http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJtUKsfOA-I. Rhee decided to resign after she served her time as the Chancellor. She still continues to be a pioneer for a better school system in America. She has set up a website, Twitter account and Facebook page in an effort to keep continuing her mission. She is still a very outspoken figurehead, which is made quite evident by her blog on the issue of No Child Left Behind, which can be read following this link http://www.studentsfirst.org/blog/entry/michelles-reaction-to-sec.-duncans-announcement-on-nclb-waivers/.
Michelle is an inspiration to me. It is satisfying to see that if the right person is appointed to do a difficult task, it will get done. We need more people to speak out about troubling issues in the education system.
She did not care about being popular as she stated in this interview with CNN http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJtUKsfOA-I. Rhee decided to resign after she served her time as the Chancellor. She still continues to be a pioneer for a better school system in America. She has set up a website, Twitter account and Facebook page in an effort to keep continuing her mission. She is still a very outspoken figurehead, which is made quite evident by her blog on the issue of No Child Left Behind, which can be read following this link http://www.studentsfirst.org/blog/entry/michelles-reaction-to-sec.-duncans-announcement-on-nclb-waivers/.
Michelle is an inspiration to me. It is satisfying to see that if the right person is appointed to do a difficult task, it will get done. We need more people to speak out about troubling issues in the education system.
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