My Schooling Experiences Formed A Positive Outlook On American Education

“If you want a good education, you need to have good teachers,” states William Deresiewicz, author of Spirit Guides (1). His article, published in Slate Magazine, was written with the purpose of redefining what college teaching is and the elements that constitute a good teacher. In order to promote his ideas and fulfill his purpose, Deresiewicz supports an enthymeme founded on the claim that teachers should challenge and care about their students, because that is what their students truly want and need (2,3).

Both Erin Gruwell in Freedom Writers and Jamie Esclante in Stand and Deliver faced students stuck in low-income backgrounds and neighborhoods of crime. Despite the low achievement of these students, both teachers were able to foster a mastery of a subject to their students. Even though the subjects of English and math are extremely different, one method united both teachers and allowed them to teach their students effectively— trust. Erin and Jamie were successful because of the trust they put in their students.

My strongest belief is that education is the foundation for success. Knowledge opens so many doors and opportunities that would not exist without it. The American education system should be no exception to the notion that we live in the “Land of Opportunity,” and each child should have the opportunity to receive a quality education equivalent to their peers regardless of who or where they come from. Through the ED 105 course at Clemson University, the readings from that course, and my field experience working with middle school students I have solidified my views toward the field of education and established personal goals for the type of educator I would like to become in the future.

In the book, The Freedom Writers Diary, the students came from violent backgrounds and neighborhoods. Because they attended a school with many privileged people, they were looked down on as drug users or gang members who were destined to die or become nonentities. Many of their teachers thought that because they grew up around drugs and violence, they were lost causes and would never change. Through the students’ efforts and other people’s help, they proved the close-minded people wrong and ended out coming out on top. The book depicts how many of the students changed into better people, who eventually became role models.

At first, she claims, she was only “a little mass of possibilities,” but her teacher brought light into her life (1). Her teacher, from the very beginning, was more than just an instructor. She was a positive influence and an inspiration. She taught Keller to communicate and understand the world around her, even though she could not see or hear it. She did not force Keller’s mind to learn; she simply guided it, nourishing it with knowledge at the right moments (7-8). In this way, her teacher made learning enjoyable for Keller by ensuring she did not think of it as an obligation, but as an experience. This goes along with Keller’s belief that a student “will not work joyously unless he feels that liberty is his” (16). A student who feels that she has the power to make her own decisions will enjoy her schooling more than one who feels as if the power is out of her hands. The relationship between Keller and her teacher had a profound impact on the way Keller learned and later lived her life. Even once her school days had passed, she still felt the effects of her teacher’s instruction every day. She even went so far as to say that she felt her teacher’s being was “inseparable” from her own (22). Keller’s unusually intimate connection with her teacher offered a unique perspective on the topic of teacher-student relationships.

Living in America is often taken for granted, but many would risk their lives just to live in this free country. My parents risked their lives escaping from Laos after the Vietnam War in order to reach America hoping for a better life. My dad’s struggles in life has inspired me to pursue higher education in order to create a brighter future for myself. Being the first generation children born in America has given me the opportunity of free education. In America education

“I won’t learn from you” is a classic and powerful group of essays written by Herbert Kohl. The first three chapters “I won’t learn from you”, “The tattooed man”, and “Excellence, Equality, and Equity” all explore ideas that students are more in charge of their learning than most individuals believe. With these theories, students and teachers can help improve each other in every way. Kohl writes a variety of humorous stories, lessons on teaching, and inspirations to be a teacher to any child, regardless of their race, gender, religion or abilities. He addresses serious issues in the public school system, such as reforming to the demands of the school district, adapting the curriculum, and the many pressures as an educator. Kohl helps the

Everyone has, at one point in time, been taught how to do something. Whether it is how to tie one’s shoes or how to do long division, teachers have been around to help people learn forever. Teachers are an integral part of today’s society, and they will continue to be an outstanding asset in the lives of all the students across our country for centuries to come. Because of teaching’s impact on today’s world and children, I chose to interview my former North Allegheny GOAL teacher, Mr. Dan Williams for my Honors American History GREEF project.

“A good teacher not only improves a child’s test scores in the classroom, but also enhances his/her chances to attend college, earn more money and try and create a steady future for ourselves” (Bennett). Bennett is saying that a teacher can shape and create a child’s future for them. With the help of teachers, they change students for the better and provide help and teach our future leaders. This impact they have on us may only be a short-term impact because most students have their teachers for a school year and when that school year is over they almost all leave and never look back. They are shown as role models, they direct us to have a good education. Teachers will be always there for you if you need it, with personal life and school life. “This impact involves not only the teaching of particular academic skills, but as importantly, the fostering of student self-esteem. Reinforcing self-esteem in the classroom is associated with increased motivation and

A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind is an amazingly touching story for any future teacher. It gives hope to every student who is trying to make it in life. It enforces the importance of teacher expectations, human capital, and cultural capital. It touches on funding issues and the irrelevance of standardized testing. Cedric Jennings' life was everything but easy. He never had the opportunity to take the short, easy path, instead always being forced onto the long, winding road; in Cedric's case it gradually led to a world of success. Everyone, future teachers and others alike, should take the lessons in this story to heart, both as an example and as inspiration.

In the movie, The Freedom Writers Mrs. Erin Gruwell (Hillary Swank) plays a role of a dedicated teacher who did all she could, to help her students learn to respect themselves and each other. She has little idea of what she's getting into when she volunteers to be an English teacher at a newly integrated high school in Long Beach, California. Her students were divided along racial lines and had few aspirations beyond basic survival. Mrs. Gruwell was faced with a big challenge when a group of freshmen students showed her nothing but disrespect which made it hard for her to communicate, teach and understand them. However, Erin Gruwell was determined that no matter the cost she would teach her students not only

Nell Noddings is an American philosopher who believes that the ethics of care must be present in a teacher’s classroom. For that reason, while watching the documentary TEACH, I got the opportunity to learn about four determined and courageous teachers whose ultimate goal is to help his or her students become successful and active members of society. The documentary reveals four unique first year teaching stories, specifically what it takes to educate students in tough schools. Nevertheless, the four teachers depicted in the documentary foster the ethics of care in his or her classroom. To conclude, after watching TEACH, I was able to envision my future English classroom—where compassion and care for students is fostered.

The film Freedom Writers directed by Richard La Gravenese is an American film based on the story of a dedicated and idealistic teacher named Erin Gruwell, who inspires and teaches her class of belligerent students that there is hope for a life outside gang violence and death. Through unconventional teaching methods and devotion, Erin eventually teaches her pupils to appreciate and desire a proper education. The film itself inquiries into several concepts regarding significant and polemical matters, such as: acceptance, racial conflict, bravery, trust and respect. Perhaps one of the more concentrated concepts of the film, which is not listed above, is the importance and worth of education. This notion is

Education in the U.S. has changed my life. I am now a college student which means I have the chance to earn a lot of money in the future and have a successful life. I now value education more than I use to because I know that most kids in the world can't go to school. I am very lucky and thankful to have the chance to learn new things everyday because I know that most people don't

The education we receive today holds the power to shape the individuals we will be in the future. Not only does our education aid our choices throughout school, but also the choices we make in our personal lives like where we choose to work and how we portray ourselves to society. Personally, I have enjoyed my educational experience. I have enjoyed learning new concepts and interacting with new people. Of course, there are obstacles along the way. However, these obstacles have given me the opportunity to realize my strengths and weaknesses and learn to improve in both areas. As a student, I hold onto my perseverance, seek guidance from influential figures in my life, and embrace my challenges to which all contribute to my hope to become the finest version of myself.