WHAT’S AT STAKE? ADVOCATING FOR YOUNG CHILDRENECE8200

January 31, 2008

Dr. Rhina Fernandes Williams

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Book Talk facilitation with whole group – see new uploaded schedule on Wiki

2. Capstone Proposal due Feb. 7– template on uLearn. Submit proposal through uLearn.

3. Check out my blog page at http://rhinablogs.edublogs.org/

QUOTES FROM YOUR BLOGS…

“I’m wondering what we that know better can do to help…”

Diana’s comment on Katy’s blog

QUOTES FROM YOUR BLOGS…

“I have noticed this year outspokenness and fervor in myself at school as I talk with others about education.  I’m not sure where my “fight” will take me, but I am thinking about switching schools and seeking an environment where the philosophies match my own. ”

-Michelle

QUOTES FROM YOUR BLOGS…

“What then does one make of the notion that the “dominant culture” has used education as a means to maintain power and oppress minority cultures?  Is that not in itself a stereotype?  What’s more, how does this stereotype, which I believe it is because it addresses the actions of a group, affect me as a teacher and a member of the “dominant culture”?  Should members of the “dominant culture” be allowed to teach?  Are they just perpetuating this cycle, maybe even subconsciously?  And if we are allowed to teach, what makes us qualified?  What ensures that we won’t perpetuate this cycle?”

-Julie

QUOTES FROM YOUR BLOGS…

“What can we do as educators today to make things right?  I mean no disrespect, but I feel like I have exhausted my resources in trying to make sense of minority, majority, domination, oppression, prejudices, privileges, racism and responsibility without in the same context trying to understand and establish ways to address and correct these tribulations. ”

-Julie

QUOTES FROM YOUR BLOGS…

“I agree with Jaeger that the issues they were dealing with in West Contra Costa were more control issues than anything.  I wondered where she is now and what she is doing.  I was curious about her and so had to know the ‘rest of the story.’  I did some digging and found out a little more about the story.  I also wanted to see where she led her protests.  It makes it more real for me to see the context of the story.  I am including my findings. ”

-Teresa

SILENCING TEACHERS (JAEGER ARTICLE)

What does it say about teachers that it was okay for a textbook company to monitor them in their classrooms and “chastise” them in front of their students?

Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed – description of oppressed group. Are teachers an oppressed group?

FREIRE’S SECOND LETTER – “DON’T LET THE FEAR OF WHAT IS DIFFICULT PARALYZE YOU”

When faced with fear:1. Are reasons for the fear real?

2. If real, what are the chances of overcoming them?

3. If not immediately overcome, what are the steps to take to get there?

STAGES OF MULTICULTURAL SCHOOL TRANSFORMATION

BY PAUL C. GORSKI

1. Status Quo2. Heroes and Holidays (Food, Festivals,

& Fun)3. Intercultural Teaching and Learning

(Cultural Dictionary)4. Human Relations (Why-Can’t-We-All-

Just-Get-Along)5. Selective Multicultural Education (We

Did Multicultural Education LAST Month)

6. Transformative Multicultural Education (Social Justice and Equity Education)

STATUS QUO

Traditional educational practices are maintained with no critique of existing inequities in any aspect of the school or the education system. Curricula, pedagogies, counseling practices, and all other aspect of education continue to reflect primarily White, male, upper middle class, Christian, and other privileged perspectives and approaches.

HEROES AND HOLIDAYS (FOOD, FESTIVALS, & FUN)

Small changes to curricula or classroom materials focus exclusively on surface-level cultural traits, often based on generalizations or stereotypes. Multicultural education is practiced as an international food fair or a celebration of a particular representative of a group. Students make headdresses or tomahawks to learn about Native American culture. Teachers purchase and display a poster of a famous woman or African American figure (usually during the paralleling history “month”).

INTERCULTURAL TEACHING AND LEARNING (CULTURAL DICTIONARY)

Teachers study the customs and behaviors of the cultures from which their students come in an attempt to better understand how they should treat those students. They may have a handbook that describes how they should related to African-American students, Latino students, Asian American students, Native American students, and other groups based on an interpretation of the traditions and communication styles of those particular groups.

HUMAN RELATIONS (WHY-CAN’T-WE-ALL-JUST-GET-ALONG)

Members of the school community are encouraged to celebrate differences by making connections across various group identities. Teachers show an enthusiasm for learning about “other” cultures beyond the Intercultural Teaching and Learning approach, drawing on the personal experiences of students so that the students learn from each other. Diversity is seen as an asset that enriches the classroom experience.

SELECTIVE MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION (WE DID MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION LAST MONTH)

Recognizing the inequities in various aspects of education and the need to address them, teachers and administrators initiate one-time or temporary programs. They might call together a town meeting to discuss racial conflict or hire a consultant to help teachers diversify curricula. They might create a program to encourage girls to pursue math and science interests. This approach is usually reactive—in response to a particular issue or critique that has become public.

 

TRANSFORMATIVE MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION (SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY EDUCATION)

All education practice begins with a determination to make all aspects of schools and schooling equitable and to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential as learners. All educational practices that benefit white, male, upper-middle class, or any group to the detriment of other groups is transformed to ensure equity.

BREAK OUT GROUPS

What’s worth fighting for? What do you fear by fighting for it? What kind of support could you find?

REPORT BACK