The Student Language

Educational Foundations

[Teachers] should recognize that the linguistic form a student brings to school is intimately connected with loved one’s community, and personal identity. To suggest that this form is “wrong” or, even worse, ignorant, is to suggest that something is wrong with the student and his or her family. (p.33)

When I was doing the reading, these few sentences stood out to me. Coming from a biracial background, I understood what Lisa Delpit was saying when she mentioned the "bilingual dictionaries" some students had to transition from at home, and at school. But I did not understand how a teacher suggest that a something was wrong with the student by the way he or she spoke. In my opinion, in order to be a teacher, you must not judge a student on their poverty level or the way they speak, but instead, show them the linguistic difference, and help create a switch or  "bilingual dictionary" so they are able to still feel comfortable at home and in the classroom.

    As our society continues to develop, so does the English language. For example, when we did the reading activity in class, that was written in English, but because of the English language changing over the years, no one in the classroom could comprehend. My point is, teachers shouldn't force the  formal English language upon a student and classify the student as “wrong” or “ignorant” if he or she speaks differently. The teacher should however, teach them the difference between the way a student speaks and when to use it whether its in the classroom or at home. 

Classroom Expectations

      After doing the readings, so many different questions have ran through my mind. For example, do I want to isolate my students so they feel uncomfortable but not distracted so they are able to learn, or do I want to make them feel comfortable risking the possibilities that they will get distracted? I thought it all through, I want me room to have a theme of game boards. I will use the analogy that like the board games they play, they will face obstacles throughout the school year but they will have to keep working to overcome them and get through it. In middle school, I had this teacher that let us sit anywhere, weather it was on the floor, window sill or even on top of the desk. Although at the time, I loved it, I look back and cannot recall too many things that I have learned in that environment because I was so relaxed. I want to find a happy-medium for my students so they are having fun, but also learning.

      Personally, I feel like each year I will change my teaching style based on the group of incoming students. With our society changing as much as it does today, I believe that each year there has to be something different. Also as a teacher, I want to set the mood of the classroom. its hard to learn when you have a negative attitude, so i want to make sure that each year, every day I come with a happy, uplifting spirit to help brighten the students day. I have so many thoughts and excited just thinking about the possibilities that a student's future is in my hand. I just want to make it perfect for them, and support them in anyway possible.

People Watching at Legacy Village

Description

• boy- early 20's, has rap band on shirt, white/black/purple/green Jordan's, has small bag in hand, hat with red rim
• girl- striped shirt (black and white) skirt (black) dark navy flats-close toed, tote(tan) ling black hair, Asian, early 20's, has oink Iphone in her hand
• guy- mid 30's, one earring black/red Nikes, jeans(Levi's) bag in right hand, rubbing chest
• girl- early 20's, pink hair tie, red shirt, black stripe across, leggings, flip-flops, phone in left hand
• girl-teens, shorts, gray shirt, short hair, tan Toms
• girl-teens black shirt, high waisted-shorts, purse, sandals, black hair
• light blue collard shirt with navy and white stripes, tan shorts, flip-flops, leaning on stand with legs crossed
• boy- teen(15ish) gray ninja turtle shirts, jeans, ripped by knees, skate boy hair cut, talking on phone

Interpretation

•  are they boy and girl walking together are a couple
• they guys with his ear piece is having chest pain or just got done eating
• the girl in the red either just got off work, or is on break
• the two teen girls have to be friends
• guy at stand broken his phone or wants to get a new one
• teen boy is looking for his friends

Parking Lot

• Does girl in red have a college degree?
• Does teen boy ride skateboards?
• Are teen girls running to get somewhere or just for fun?
• Does guy that broke his phone have a lot of money?

Personal Information

 

 

Personal Information

1. What name do you prefer to be called? My name is Justina but my friends and family call me Tina, so its whatever you prefer.
2. Hometown  Kent, Ohio
3. Grade level and subject(s) that you want to teach  I'm not really sure what grade level I want to teach, or the subject. Growing up, I've always wanted to be a Special Education teacher, to primary work with disabled kids so no subject or age area really interest me, just actually getting a chance to help educate them in some way
4. What are you into; what makes you special? Share a few “unique” aspects about yourself that would help our classroom community get to know you a bit better. Some of my interest include playing soccer here at John Carroll, spending time with my family and volunteering in my community back home. I think this makes me unique because not all athletes find time to help others and still balance a busy schedule while in school and a sport.

Learning Style and More

 

1 .Being as specific as you can, what must be in place for you to feel comfortable taking intellectual and creative risks in a classroom? I think in order for me to feel comfortable taking risk in the classroom, I have to be comfortable with my classmates and professor. In order for that to happen, I cant be the only one taking a risk, so all the attention isn't on me.
2. I am interested in your perception of yourself as a student. Please describe it. I think that I am a hard working student that learns by examples, which is also called a visual learner, in order for me to understand something, I have to see how its done by someone else and then understand and try it. I am responsible when it comes to my school work and getting it done on time and correctly, if given the right amount of time and if I create an outline for deadlines to get my work done. I prefer educators that are willing to help me one on one, because I don't understand things the first few times, when told to me. also when I come across a problem, I will try to figure it out, once or twice. then ask for help, ill be honest, I am very stubborn and hate asking for help.
Education Past and Present
1. Share a formative memory from your experiences as a student. A formative memory from my experience as a student was in middle school. I had a teacher who was very strict and hard. The work she gave us was very challenging. Along the way, I went to her for help, and she gave me the support I needed. She taught me new study habits, how to take notes (the right way) and built character by not letting me drop the class, like the other students she had did. This memory will always be with me because she got me ready for the harder work that I approached in high school and built a good work ethic that I did not have till after taking her class.
2. Please discuss what are, for you, some significant issues or concerns facing the field of education right now. I am concerned that if I do go into education that I will end up not liking it. Everyone tells me that I should choose a major/job that I "love" that way ill never have to work a day in my life, which is what I want to do, but I'm not sure if I'm passionate about education.  
About Dr. Shutkin:
Question:Will we get a chance to work in the Special Education area, to see if we would like to go into an education area like that, even though John Carroll doesn't have a major for Special Education?