OPC

"The answer is to accept students but also take responsibility to teach them." p. 38

This quote brought me a small sense of relief as I read this book. I was starting to feel like I couldn't quite grasp the argument being presented because I think I was distracted by wanting to know an answer. This quote helped me find a partial solution to the problem, a glimpse at a possible approach to the issues being presented. As I read, I was bombarded with experiences, thoughts, stories and viewpoints about many things: power, language, race, teaching, community and more. These are huge, huge topics, and I began to feel overwhelmed. I was understanding some parts, and became confused during other parts. I began to really question how I felt about these issues of power and learning.

The author wants us to consider that we can teach students the elements of a standard education (correct vs. incorrect writing in essays for example), and keep their personal knowledge of something different, alive. We don't have to drown what they brought to the table (Black English or Village English) but we can take responsibility for giving them the tools to learn another way too. She wants us to understand this division in learning as an element of codes of power and regarding our students, "They must be encouraged to understand the value of the code they already possess as well as to understand the power realities in this country." I appreciate the usage of the word value as a way to treasure something you possess so as not to lose it.

I am still struggling with how these ideas will impact my teaching. For now, I have taken away the idea that it is crucial to take into account the culture of the children and community we teach in. I have also absorbed the idea that just because I learned something one way, doesn't mean it's the only way, or the best way, or the right way. But, now where do I go with this? How do I provide a fair education for all students? Am I wrong (expressing power in a disempowering way) to want them to be able to get where they want in the world? Why do I believe that they will get where they want, by doing things the way society has already set up? Is it because that's how I learned?

I could not put this book down. I hope that as I make my way through it, and discuss further will all of you, that I will find a place for this valuable insight in my practice.