Blog Post 6

When doing the post it note activity one specific idea stuck out to me. That was the idea of "Filling" kids. The idea that students in the class room were just containers that needed to be filled to capacity before they could move on to the next stage of their learning experience. Freire often spoke of the fact that teachers feel like it is there job to keep students moving forward as opposed to making a connection to them. Yet one of the ways that education seems to be most effective is when there is that connection. I have had both experiences in my life. The first being a negative experience of being pushed through. My sixth grade history teacher was an example of this negative teaching style. He was only focused on grades and everything had a grade. We were expected to read on our own and there was virtually no lecture in the class. At that age it was very stressful to be expected to know how to learn in that environment. My high school chemistry teacher is a positive example on how to "fill" kids while still having a relationship with them. This teacher used to use unique strategies such as letting us teach a class or create a lecture. We all looked forward to going to class and at the same time I think I learned the most  I ever have in that course. He is the huge reason that I am so interested in becoming a teacher so that I can make those connections with students as they grow.  

Rofes gave many strong opinions concerning homo and heterosexuality as well as the overall treatment of children. He spoke strongly about about equal rights of all people. This, Rofes believes, can be accomplished many ways. But one very significant one can be starting groups or clubs within the school system such as a Gay Straight Alliance. These types of organizations are made with the purpose of protecting kids in mind. A strong chapter of a GSA at a school could make or break a certain persons high school career. Whether it be through helping answer questions about feelings that may be confusing or just having a safe place to go sit and talk with people that you are completely comfortable with. I went to a small Catholic high school and we did not have any of these programs. But at the same time we only had four kids that were openly gay. Were there more? Definitely. But those men and woman may have felt afraid to be honest with themselves or others due to the fact that there was no safety net in case something did go down hill. Rofes also speaks about the rights of children and how in his eyes children are being oppressed. He believes this because of the structured social, educational, and home life that minors seem to be subject to. He believes that these young people have just as much of a right to make decisions for themselves and pursue interests that they genuinely are invested in as opposed to the bland serving of curriculum that many schools feed to children of that age. Rofes believes that just men and women of different sexuality should have equal rights so should all members of society, including children.

The ability to use spoken word is the ability to have power of an intellectual group. When someone has the ability to stand in the front of others and articulate freely his thoughts, then that man or woman will feel true power. So why would one want to take such a power away from people who at times may feel as they have none. This is what many teachers are doing today but trying to correct ones speech patterns such as when African Americans speak in "Ebonics". Teachers of today need to reflect on the fact that no matter where one is from they will have a speech pattern that reflects their heritage. Such as the accents that people carry even at John Carroll. Accents such as Buffalo, Pittsburgh, or Chicago. How often does that happen compared to when one may look down upon the speech pattern of an African American. The students in college are supposed to be part of a generation that is supposed to be taking steps to abolish racism. If people can not be open minded about how people can use the spoken word then how can we truly live in a world where everyone is equal.    

When a teacher designs their classroom how much does it really relate to the kids? Everything we do in our lives is based on things that we have experienced or seen. So how could one honestly say that they are creating an environment where the kids can be comfortable when really it is just an expression of their own learning styles. This is why I believe it is ever so important to have a strong sense of observation and be able to adjust when different problems come up. Going into the school year the teacher has no idea what type of kids her students will be. They are all new so they must learn to adapt to their individual learning styles. As opposed to the teacher that finds something that works once and assumes that it is the right answer. A teacher should never be in a rut. A teacher always needs to be prepared to go down new roads.

Blog 2: People Watching at Jerusalem Deli

Physical Descriptions: Inside of a Jewish restaurant in South Euclid, Ohio.

1There is a non-Hasidic Jewish family of four at the table across from us.

• The parents look to be in their late forties or early fifties.
• They have two sons, a teenager and one around eight years old. 
• The two sons have a bright multicolored yarmulke on as opposed to the father who wears a plain black one. 
• The elder son is very energetic and is talking about college football with his father.

2. The waiter we have is an African- American man.

• He has the word ISIS shaved into the side of his head.
• He wears tight jeans and a button up shirt.
• He also has "hipster" glasses on

3. There is a group of four thirty-something men.

• They all came in excited and seemed very confident.
• One larger one was wear a Seattle Sounders FC scarf.
• Two had knit sweaters on.
• All wore light blue jeans.

Interpretations:

1. When I first came in and saw these four I assumed they would be having a strict, non-talkative dinner. It was nice to see that they were a happy fun loving family. I think much of my assumption was based on the fact that the neighborhood to the north of John Carroll is heavily populated by Hasidic Jews. And when one sees the all black clothes and the long sideburns it can be intimidating. They are also traditionally very strict people.

2. This waiter came off as seemingly out of place. I think because stereotypically one does not picture Jews as African-American. But this was clearly not the case seeing as he was confident enough to have Isis in his hair. He seemed very ahead of the time fashionably and was also not wearing a yarmulke which made me think he was not as serious of a practicing Jew.  

3. These  men immediately made the impression that they were regulars. They came in confident and went quickly to their table of four. I do not believe these men were Jewish, but much like us just patrons at one of their favorite restaurants.

Reflection:

   The one thing I did not expect to find when I went to a Jewish deli in a Jewish neighborhood was diversity. Yet that was exactly what I found. It was interesting looking at people from all walks of life and trying to pick out what my own personal biases may be regarding first impressions. I do believe that in the end I was very fair in my assumptions about the people I encountered. I did my best to see the world through their eyes, which truly is what one must do in order to understand others. Especially when it comes to students in the class room. A teacher has no idea that background of all the new children funneled in each year and it is their job to be prudent in judgment before they accomplish a true understanding of the child.

WebPost1: Class Survey
1. What name do you preferred to be called? - Mike
2. Home town and picture. - Lisle, Illinois
3. Grade level and subject?- High School Chemistry
4.Share about yourself. - I am going to be on the wrestling team this year at JCU. I live in Pacelli. And I love the Chicago White Sox
Learning Style and More:
1.What makes you comfortable in the classroom?- Knowing and being able to understand the point of view of my professor and other classmates is vital. The closer we are as a class the more I will learn.
2.What type of student are you?- I am the type of student that will more then likely start off the year on the quiet side. But as time moves on, and I can get a feel for the rhythms of the class, then I will be a very active participant. I like having discussions and even arguments over topics I feel are relevant. My work ethic is strong, but definitely took a year off as a senior in high school. I keep focus well, but I do allow my mind to wander if the material doesn't pull me in. When I don't understand something I will usually check the text, but I appreciate the help of a teacher. I will most likely take advantage of office hours if I need help.
Education Past and Present:
1. Formative memory- The memories that are important to me are the bonds I made with so many great high school teachers. The whole class felt connected because they treated us as adults.
2. Concerns- My biggest concern for the field of education is the cookie cutter model used in so many schools across the country. As a nation we try to assess success in a way that would only work if humans were intellectually equal.
About Dr. Shutkin:
1. What/Who inspired you to teach?