How do we talk about issues that matter?

When one advocates for certain issues to be considered or noticed, it is commonly done by speaking, right? However, it is not as easy as said than done. Based on what I analyzed from my sources, it can significantly matter what the issue is about. It can a topic that someone could include their own opinion such as disagreeing, agreeing, or being neutral. From there, one can expand their opinion to more than a few words to speeches striving to make a point. It is effective in how and when someone opens up and expresses their own side of an issue before speaking up about other problems. Because it is due to the judgment that one clouds their mind of believing by speaking on their own ideas of the issue. I captured this result/experience from a video of an art teacher, Jonathan Dee. The video depicts Mr. Dee introducing his class to the barometer teaching strategy which is based on openly stating one's opinion on certain topics. Meaning, students were to move around the classroom depending on their answer (agree, disagree, or neutral) and ask for a few to explain why they chose or believed such a way. Later in the video, he conveys that trying out this strategy on his students, will boost their confidence or fear of criticism. Moreover, the other obstacle students face is comparing their own opinion to other peers/students. "....where one or two students seem to dominate the discussion, and that can shut off people’s opinions.” Based on these two main struggles for young ones to speak up for their own ideas/thoughts, such students should perceive to understand that it is more than fearing and comparing, it is a space to share. Mr. Dee seems to acknowledge that he considers methods such as the barometer teaching strategy so "...that students don't feel shut off ." On the other, it could also be that issues are not as simple to speak about on behalf of one's own opinion. What I'm saying is a topic, issue, matter, or event can lead someone to think irrationally or pursue to question the point of their surroundings and speak up about it. For instance, in a post by Dr. Steven Becton, they introduced their idea on the tragic and crucial death of Eric Garner. Dr. Becton expressed his grave shock and unsteadiness on the unrighteous way that such a person had been killed through a chokehold by an officer. That being said, the case had resulted in there being not sufficient justice towards Garner, just firing the officer from his position/job. This led Dr. Becton to advise his students “...to resist generalizations, to judge responsibly, to consider reliable sources, and to make conclusions without prejudice." Because it seems to occur in more than just this case from 2014 which is similar to the George Floyd case (2020). Highlighting that one has seen great changes through speaking yelling/hollering, marching, strikes, etc. But that has also brought along issues that remain the same as 'talking' about them is more than not enough, yet it doesn't signify a sign to give up. such should be sought with the right intentions and keeping in mind the ideas/opinions of others. To avoid wronging or selfishly helping one's own opinion.

References

Dr. Becton, S. (December 10, 2014). After eric garner: one school courageous conversation, Facing History & Ourselves. 

After Eric Garner: One School’s Courageous Conversation (facinghistory.org)

Mr. Dee, J. (December 20, 2018). Barometer, Facing History & Ourselves

Barometer | Facing History and Ourselves

Blog #2: What is the Purpose of Schools?

 

Truthfully, there is not one specific and only answer when it is asked about the meaning or purpose of public schools. Nevertheless, it has been stated that these schools go through a set of issues while keeping themselves standing, by even going beyond what’s to be expected from them. From one’s experience and certain perspectives, the educational system of public schools has continued a critical path in striving to teach its students. Using the same method/idea of students learning the same material as previous students and not considering the difference between each & every one of its students. This has been highlighted by a well-known YouTuber called Prince Ea, dedicating a video of his own on the matter of how messed up & unjust a school system really is. He expresses it is, “educational malpractice,” which has a teacher stands and teaches several children that “each one having different strains, different needs, different gifts, different dreams” but they are taught “the same thing, the same way. That’s horrific.” (2:45-48) What he also adds to oppose the corruption of the system is the effect it has on teachers’ skills worth. They are still given insufficient pay for the same efforts they are pushed to teach kids. While I’m currently bringing up what makes public schools inefficient and malicious, I do want to explain that it’s the students and teachers that fulfill the necessity for public schools to still be present. As known by most, we had been under a pandemic caused by a virus, Covid-19. This event/moment led to a great earthquake over the students & teachers to go to school (in-person) and public schools in the nation to take a hit from the absence of both sources that allow them to keep open & running. In the article, “What is the Purpose of school” by Stephen Sawchuk, he believes that the pandemic could've led parents/guardians and students to see public school in a different light. More as a foundation that provides 'social services' and more to serve a wide range of children and families. Unfortunately, Sawchuk had been to be proven wrong after things started to go back to before. He included that, “schools could be standing on less solid civic footing than they were before.... measured by the most tangible factor available: enrollment.” (Sawchuk, pg.2) As the number of students going to school gradually declined since the re-opening of schools, so has the increase of change for receiving the same education (home-schooled). Despite this, public schools are instead not giving any sort of gratitude while they took action in providing online resources (programs, devices/hotspots) for students and their families so they to continue learning under the conditions. Moreover, they had also gone beyond that an Edweek Research Center survey, in Sawchuk’s article, compiled “[showing] how far-reaching some of these services are.” (Sawchuk, pg.2) Public schools to reach out with services such as meals, health, and laundry. Though public schools are not righteous when it comes to their educational system, they are beyond expectations from just being a school. Being able to lend their support and help to its children and families. They push to keep their students active and connected with their teachers and each other in challenging times. It is understood that even when they’re unjust through their system, is it comprehended of the lack of recognition because of it. Nonetheless, they do acknowledge the value/worth of its sources to continue function, its students and faculty/teacher.

References:

Ea, P. (2023). I sued the school system, Youtube.com.

         I SUED THE SCHOOL SYSTEM (2023) - YouTube

Sawchuk, S. (September 14, 2021). What is the purpose of school, Edweek.org

          https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/what-is-the-purpose-of-school/2021/09

Introduction/Why Teach?

        

    Hi! My name is Andrea Hernandez, a freshman majoring in education. If I could ask myself 2 years ago what career or major, we'll be passionate about, I would have least expected it to be education. I wasn't someone fond of being the center of attention at school. That is to be during presentations, debates, and visual projects. Especially teaching assessments. It wasn't until I missed socializing and improving my learning skills while being in quarantine. Creating teaching-approved work for my peers. Pushing them to show their work to receive strong and effective feedback. To say, I admired my 12th-grade art teacher, which gave me the final push to what I chose to follow for higher education. From allowing my classmates and me to exceed the expectations of our skills, deeply analyzing or comprehending our work, to appreciate every improvement we made from start to end even if it didn't tally with each other.

     Moreover, I have taken account of my previous passion for art, specifically fine & studio arts major. Now a few months ago, I didn't feel as confident to fully risk myself. Will I really be happy with such a decision? So, as I strive to teach as my motivator and idol (my 12th-grade teacher), I've decided to advocate more on skills to actually teach. Becoming an elementary teacher is a goal and a challenge. A different aim/pace from when I chose to follow a broader path. But if reachable, I intend to preserve the ability to express and create a world that allows students to reach further from their limitations. Not as drastic, more to an extent that they can see how they make an impact that leaves students satisfied. To then continue such actions and ways of thinking after they get closer to embracing the struggles and challenges in every chapter of their path. 

      To conclude, I have looked over teachers' accounts on Twitter, and a few have caught my attention. One of them was Vicki Davis- a mom, author, teacher blogger, and host of a teacher podcast. some attributes that intrigued me. In a recent tweet, she posted a quote she rephrased in her own way of understanding it. Quite a motivator itself towards seeking for our own growth/improvement to have downsides, which is either you allow them to take you down or dismiss them.