Let's go to school!

I find little room to argue against (not that I feel inclined too) any of the classrooms that we discuss and read about in class. The responsible classroom consists of many qualities to be successful; the following are some of the most recent ideals that I have been thinking about:

I believe that teachers need to believe in the potential of all students. This is harder than it sounds. Everyone makes assumptions; everyone looks at the world through the lens of their own human experiences. Teachers are just as affected by this truth as the next person. However, we are by no means bound by our presumptions. We are charged with the burden of fighting against our immediate judgments, so that our students can come into our class with as much opportunity for growth as the next. I see that at the core of social justice is the call to raise up all people, to encourage participation in community and the larger society. If I demonstrate to my students that I believe that they are capable, then I will be true to the teaching profession and myself.

I believe that schools need to emphasize community action. Schools that build community inside and out of the building inherently invest in the lives of the students that they teach. I have a feeling that the more schools paid attention in meeting the needs of the community, the more students would invest in their education. If teachers and staff know the people and environment of their students, then the more equipped they are in developing curriculum that meets the direct and immediate needs of the students. School does not exist separate from the neighborhood that it serves. Therefore, it is necessary for schools to know the people, the issues, the places and the history of the neighborhood, as is essential for social justice education.

I believe that children should be encouraged to explore the things that are important to them. The role of the teacher is to provide opportunities for learning and knowledge. I believe that you cannot force anyone to learn. You can, however, encourage learning to occur. Students are immediately attracted to issues that directly relate to them. However, teachers will need guide the students through revelations and discoveries. These journeys can be challenging, and students may become frustrated and overwhelmed. Teachers, good teachers, know when to push the students to think, and when to back off. I suppose that it takes a lot of time and consciousness. The issues that are important to students, as they see it, directly relate to their experiences. By teaching the students according to their interests, we give them the opportunity to really participate in their education. Now, this is not to say that we ignore the “basics” of schooling education, like the conventions of spelling or multiplication, because the students do not demonstrate a natural interest. These things are necessary to participate in the world. However, these things can and should be taught through the contexts of the intrigue and issues of the students. Again, this is another aspect of social justice education.