The call to action often goes unheard because so many feel like there is little they can do to really affect change, yet change can only come about when others purposely decide to make it happen. There are two cases I would like to use as examples to further illustrate my point.. one comes form the extra readings "Funds of Knowledge" a look at work done by Luis Moll (I have read this research before) and by what I contend was an example Moll may have used when he started his work in the Southwest US... the Foxfire Magazine. Some of you may have heard or read this magazine / book series and some may even know its origins.... Our final chapter readings want to explore the importance and role that the communities and stakeholders have in the education system. In many cases schools lose focus on what's important to the local community because they have become so entrenched in state and federal mandates, which have their place, but are worthless without the support needed for student achievement. Eliot Wigginton found himself in rural Northern Georgia teaching freshman English. He needed a way to teach his students the importance of something that wasn't that important to them nor the community... using good or "formal" English. The Foxfire magazine seemed like a project that may accomplish the goal, but it went on to do so much more, because it (and Wigginton) placed value on what mattered to the community and their way of life (cultural education). It engaged education (and learners) beyond the classroom walls and again valued that education (and learners) as important, in fact, so important it needed to be shared and became a model for "how to" or DIY books in today's market. Whether initially knowing or not Wigginton impacted that community by partnering with the stakeholders of that rural Georgia school. In the same way, as outlined in the "Funds of Knowledge" those teachers partnered with members of the community to help bridge the language and cultural gap and build a stronger educational experience for all. I think if more teachers could recognize that they are really just more experienced learners than teachers they could discover the opportunities for engaging and affecting change. I have to remind my students daily that "I'm a student" just like they are because learning never ends. There is always more to learn and better ways to learn it... there are always better tools and better ways to use them... there will always be better learners so try to learn how they do it... I could offer so many more ways to think about this, but the bottom line for me is about creating an environment where everyone is engaged and valued in the learning community. Understanding how to think and use your learning is the most empowering gift any learner can pass on to another... That's the true Call to Action!
Your first line really jumped out at me! I feel like this applies to me in a great way. I have been trying to think of and implement some technology ways into my math class. But at the end of the day, I'm not on any board or in charge of anything except my class. So if I do have something super successful, it's unlikely that it will make a difference for anyone but me and my 30 students.
ReplyDeleteI also remind my students that I too am still a student and we talk about different ways of solving problems. Last fall semester, a student asked me why I didn't teach them the AC Method to factor trinomials?? I said well becuaseI don't know what that is! When I was in high school, we used the ole guess and check. But now, after researching and learning to LOVE it, I teach the AC Method in my class!
I think that some teachers and people are afraid of change so they just keeping doing what they have done for many years. Looking at teaching students and keeping them connected with the community is something that we need to continue to do. Our partnership with our stakeholders need to continue to grow and become stronger through time. The community needs to know what is going on in the school and vice versa. When you talk about always learning, I completely agree with what you said. I think students forget that we are human sometimes and get caught off guard if we make a mistake or do things in a different way than they do. I learn something new everyday in my position as the librarian whether it be with destiny, the technology carts, the copy machines, etc.. Every day is a learning experience for me because every day is not the same in our library. I learn from my students just as they learn from me.
ReplyDelete"teachers could recognize that they are really just more experienced learners than teachers they could discover the opportunities for engaging and affecting change" - I love this! It is so true! We never claim to be masters at everything, far from it. I tell my students all the time that I am not the be all end all know it all, so they need to seek out the answers to their questions and I will help them. Teaching is like brainstorming your way around a problem. There are always multiple ways of getting to the desired result, but often teaching is finding the effective way that is simple and straight forward. Unfortunately much of life isn't like that, so we need to consider options, possible outcomes and alternatives just as importantly in finding the answer. We are facilitators, not experts. Nice thoughts and post.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, very thoughtful. I find it interesting that we try to approach community members in the same manner across a county or district. Each school has its own culture, dynamics and needs. For example, if you are teaching in a school in which there is little to no parent involvement in a high poverty area, then the school has to reach out and support parents in a different way. It is hard work and time consuming, but research shows creating connections between school, families and communites has a direct impact on student achievement and improves student behavior.
ReplyDeleteI think that you are absolutely right wen you say that "change can only come about when others purposely decide to make it happen." In order to change the culture of teaching we have now into one that improves our students, and the community. I also agree that to be effective educators we have to view ourselves as students as well.
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