I Must Be The Best On Your Worst Day

In the mid 1800s, the question of whether slavery was ethical or not was a particularly contentious matter. Slaves struggled to withstand the harsh treatments from their master’s, along with getting an education, until 1865 when the Thirteenth Amendment formally abolished slavery. Although slavery was no longer tolerated, the racial bigotry did not end. Fast forward to the 1950s, and racial inequality is still prevalent in society. Segregation existed in almost every aspect of life ranging from miniscule topics such as where one can sit on the bus, to more serious topics such as quality of education one child receives. This discrimination was fought through protests in the civil rights movement throughout the 1950s and 1960s. As an American high school student in a country still plagued with racial discrimination today, it is imperative to remember the true value of a quality education. While James Baldwin’s “A Talk to Teachers” and Frederick Douglass’s “Learning to Read and Write” both emphasize the need for racial equality in education, Baldwin’s forceful and angry tone ultimately make his speech the more rhetorically effective of the two.

Since prior to the 1980’s, the American education system has rapidly declined in all areas. The article, “A Nation at Risk,” written by President Ronald Reagan, depicts the many issues in the U.S. school systems regarding the content, standard and expectations, time, teaching, and leadership and fiscal support. This piece, apparently, has led the country into an extreme educational reform to improve all aspects of our school system. Based on my experiences in high school, student test scores, and current school conditions, I believe that while all issues raised by the commission in the report are not necessarily a problem anymore, issues with student growth.

America’s education system is one of the most respectable, reputable and sought after commodities in our society, but it is also the most overcrowded, discriminatory, and controversial system ever established. Most people yearn for a higher education because it 's what 's expected in this society in order to get ahead. It means a better job, more money, power, prestige and a sense of entitlement. But this system has let down the children that are supposed to benefit from it. Education discriminates against minorities, and poorer class students are not expected nor encouraged to attain a higher education. The education system is set up to ensure that every child get a basic

For generations African Americans have been disadvantaged in America and effects of these injustices have made a lasting impression. Education is one of the leading problems in the black community. Though there have many reforms in education over the years, racial injustices still exist because no attention in placed on how legislature affects people of color. I was raised in a middle-class family of educators. My entire life I’ve been told to “stay in school, get an education, and work hard so that you can beat the system.” Recognizing the structural forces in my life has helped me understand my place in society. Being able to “understand everyday life, not through personal circumstances but through the broader historical forces that

Taking on the role as a teacher puts me in a leadership role. I chose for my artifact the ESO online training from Mr. Moss, EDEE 4330 Math class. Math seems to be the subject across the board most people is afraid of, but the ESO training provided fatal information for student’s success. I understand that I am responsible for setting an example for my students that I would be proud of them to emulate. I would love for my students to follow in my footprints and make a difference in others’ lives. It has been said, “it takes a village to raise a child”, and I know that I can be most effective when I reach out to families, colleagues, and the community, to employ the approach. It takes all that to raise well-adjusted productive members of our community, being it locally or

In one short paragraph Blij summarized how America’s illiteracy began, which this then becomes the central theme of his book that relates to the educational field. Blij writes that professional educators took control of the system and combined the subjects of history,

Also the harsh, unjust acts we have faced being black, growing up in America. After the passage of Civil Rights Acts, after the Economic opportunity act of 1964, which has paved the way for new rulings, laws, white’s attitudes towards African Americans has improved. This has resulted in providing more opportunities for blacks in America. Even though more opportunities have been open for blacks we still have a lot of progression to accomplish. As stated in the article “high schools in black neighborhoods receive less local, state, and federal support than those in white areas.” This statement supports my point of progression, to improve high schools in black neighborhoods we must gain the support of our community, government, and state to have more interest in educating young African American students. The authors audience seems to be African Americans because he is informing readers of what blacks had to go through as people, and what we must do to continue to improve our people. I feel the authors opinions are valid because he does in fact states opinions I have witnessed myself growing up as an African American in the united states. He expresses how he believes we still have room for progression especially in mostly high populated schools filled with African American students. Majority of schools which are primary dominated by blacks seem to have lower graduations

Correspondingly, nobody can inflict a massive transition like the students themselves. The student's program like minority scholar at my school place emphasis on thrusting minority students into advanced class (AP). As an African American myself I often struggle to voice my opinions on the educational matter because I feel like nobody regards my issue as serious. As a fellow peer member, my responsibility lies in uplift minority students to excellence on a land beyond their boundary. Nonetheless, the students need to believe in themselves and their goal considering the fact that not all teachers will partake in their journey for success. There are teachers who care about the student's success and those who could care less. The States and government must step up to the plate and aid the school through funding program to hire the true teachers who are willing to dedicate their time and effort promoting the success of all

Summary: The 1983 report, A Nation at Risk, issued by the National Commission on Excellence in Education and the Goals 2000 report of 1991 by the National Governors Association created calls for education reform in the United States. They resulted in stricter standards for teaching certification, changes in standardized testing, and a raise in teachers salaries especially in the South. President Bush passed the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002 to also try to boost education performance especially for racial minorities and urban centers. NCLB required schools to give mandatory tests to determine student aptitude in core subject courses. Schools are rated according to the Adequate Yearly Progress scale which determines how much a school's testing

Leading up to the 21st Century quality of education finally was addressed. In 1983 under the Reagan administration A Nation at Risk, was published and exposed the poor quality of education in the United States. A Nation at Risk noted that 23 million American adults were functionally illiterate, 13% of all 17 year olds were functionally illiterate, and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) demonstrated a significant decline in English and Math scores. A Nation at Risk exposed to the world that the United States educational system was broken (Toppo). Charter schools, schoolwide choice, and area wide choice, allowed

A Nation at Risk was and is a document that in essence gave/gives a call to arms to wake up the American nation in regards to mediocrity within education. The report changed high schools to include more necessary core classes for the American high school student and brought about other forms of changes for American schools. It has brought about both negative and positive results in the reform towards successful education of all students. It was imperative to bring about awareness of the decline in educational results, but the modes of transition are still in need of great adjustments. Overall, the A Nation at Risk document set in motion the road for alteration within the American education system which

For more than 50 years black students lag behind their peers from other racial groups on achievement. Educators play a huge role in the equality of education for all students. Interventions, reforms, and legislation have been proposed in various forms for several decades. The question is what can educators do to assist African American students in being successful and having an unbiased educational experience? How do we create children to be new thinkers and inventors that tackle racial disparities? How do we destroy biased social structures in America?

My decision to be a teacher did not come easily to me. This choice was dependent on a reflection about what I was passionate about and how I could make a difference. I have chosen to become a teacher, as I believe teachers have the ability to provide future generations the stimulation for one of the most significant roles in life; to become a lifelong learner. Many teachers that I have had during my education have had a positive impact on my decision to grow and develop the skills that are fundamental to pursue a successful teaching career. My aim is to be a part of an honorable profession with the optimism that one day I will become an efficacious teacher who can provide future teachers with inspiration, as my teachers have provided for me. Through personal educational experiences and peer-reviewed academic literature, I am able to shape my approach to my pre-service teaching, as it will influence my future practice. As a teacher, there is not just one singular approach to educating students; there is a need for flexibility, diversity, adaptation and reflection.

Silence, rows of desks, and cold hard plastic seats. What’s the first image that comes to mind, a classroom. Close your eyes, imagine yourself sitting in this classroom, a clock keeps ticking, tick-tock, and a test with no instructions has been placed in front of you. You have fifteen minutes to perfectly complete it or you’ll fail. Now raise your hand if you felt your blood pressure rise, and anxiety develop. You felt the uneasiness, stress, worry, the emotions that consumes one in every five teenagers in America under our current education system. Hours of homework, extracurriculars, standardized tests, busy work, and tremendous amounts of pressure. This was the solution devised based A Nation at Risk, which told of America’s downfall as

This past semesters has been an eye opening experience that has changed my views on teacher. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a fourth grade teacher. However after being placed in a second grade classroom my views have changed. I liked the idea of teaching fourth grade because my fourth grade teacher was my inspiration in life. When I was in Ms. Petro’s class I enjoyed being able to watch the students progress over time. Being able to see the drastic improvements in little children is very rewarding and that is why I want to continue to teach lower grades. I have learned that being a teacher requires a special someone, a person who knows that sometimes you will have to deal with tough situations leaving you exhausted and feeling like you are not able to help more. But at the same time, being a teacher allows one to be a visionary for the world and those who surround you.