Voices Unheard Sparknotes

In the newspaper article by author: Sara Drumm, “Protests outside School Board”. There is debate surrounding the issues teachers face throughout every school. Many Americans fail to realize that teaching is no easy task and that it takes full dedication as well as unique skills to teach, while masterfully controlling and executing a classroom.

Linda Barry’s “The Sanctuary of School” explains in great detail of how the education system works today. Barry believes

Judith Bradford and Crispin Sartwell in their essay “Voiced Bodies/Embodied Voices” helps articulate the difficulties of being heard. One voicing their opinions to others is not going to always work as planned because of the many biases of others as well as the social construct of society. Bradford and Sartwell explain the three conditions that allow individuals to have their voices heard. Physically being in a position where one can speak to certain people is one of the conditions. This notion means that if people are physically in an area where there is an agreement being made, they can have the ability to voice their opinion since they are present at the event. Another condition is if one has the ability to speak. Words and phrases need

The promotion of pupil voice is a complex task which demands the commitment of the entire school community. Critically discuss the rationale for the development of pupil voice throughout all aspects of school life and consider how teachers and senior managers can facilitate pupils in forming and voicing opinions while also ensuring the equality of opportunity for all.

Education is something that has historically been a valuable asset to asserting one’s power and place in

By both crowds believing that their way of teaching and classrooms routines is the best way to go, these walls are created, blocking communication and instructors of color feel that the white instructors think they know everything and the teachers of color are not being listened to. The author also states concerns about skills as opposed to process methods to writing lessons in respects to exactly how these methods impact students who do not belong to what the author often refers to as the culture of power. The culture of power is present in many schools and universities which creates the silenced dialogue. The silenced dialogue emanates from the African, Native and such American educationalists that feel totally estranged from the dispute on what is the most productive way to teach minorities

“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

This film makes it clear that many of our public schools are failing and takes you through the struggles and disappointments that five children and their families endure going through a rough system of conflicting education regulations, avoid the academic hardships that are public schools in order to receive a proper education that may guarantee them a fulfilling and career

In my interview session I interviewed John Daniels, who has been working with in the STEM and CIS community for many years. In this session we spoke on his trials and tribulations, the career paths he chose, and where it landed him in life. Mr. Daniels was raised in a segregated community where every neighborhood was divided based on race. Even though everyone was close in each neighborhood, there was still a division in the community as a whole. When John was growing up, teachers were like an extension of his parents. They worked as a team to control their conduct and ensure their educational needs were being met. Later the school system became intergraded and the atmosphere changed drastically. There was tension amongst students and in most cases communication gaps between student and teachers.

The content of the video “What Teachers Make” or “objection overruled” or “if things don’t work out you can always go to law school” by Taylor Mali was definitely a collaboration of the many experiences that a teacher may and does encounter. What a remarkable way to capture an audience’s attention from the very beginning. Although the name of the video gives the impression that the main topic would be in reference to a teacher’s salary, instead he explained in a short, but effective video, what teachers make students accomplish. On November 12, 2005, at the Bowery Poetry Club, Taylor Mali began this fascinating video with the intent to enlighten his listeners his expectations of his students. His choice of words and the manner in which he

One may think of education as a bridge to a successful life. But it is more than just that; it is a special gift. Many people in first world countries undermine education. They take it for granted without realizing the good it can do for them. It is up to the government to provide equal and quality education available to everyone, regardless of color and class. However, that is not the case in Detroit Public Schools. The Detroit schools are in terrible conditions. The buildings are deteriorating, there is a lack of sanitization, a lack of school supplies, such as books and many other health concerns. Not only that but the school’s educational quality is decreasing as many teachers leave and school officials are caught in scandals. The Movement,

Thus far the discussions of how race, culture, and socioeconomic status plays a role in education has been a very enlightened one. Up until now I really have never thought about how many things play a part in the education a child receives and how a teacher’s career is also impacted. Like many others I assume, education is something that we all receive and never think about it in great detail. For me going to school each day was just a routine and the end goal was to graduate high school and go onto college, always thinking that it was that easy for all others. Not until now have I discovered that it is not that easy and that there are many obstacles in the way of a good education.

What mattered is that we needed to examine everything that had influenced us and develop new ideology, words, and actions that mirror new understandings of social justice and equality. In today’s schools, teachers are expected to meet the needs of diverse students and colleagues, and yet many teachers report feeling unprepared because they do not have the social and cultural competencies needed. How can teacher advocate for their students and how can students have space to advocate for

There was a significant community field that lingered through the day. I was allowed to observe Mr. Lenny’s 9th grade class where the first order of business was allowing students to listen to a song by rap artist Drake. The teacher mentioned that he liked this song. However, in Ms. Kravitz’s the students were subjected to jazz played while the students worked on board work. Even more telling was the conversation between Ms. Kravitz and students while she was correcting the board-work. The students read one of the sentences aloud, which prompted another student to make a comment. The conversation shifted to students discussing what they would do if they were in a car being carjacked at a red light. The teacher chimed in to suggest that the car is replaceable, but their life is not. Therefore, give up the car. The students were not buying into her thoughts, but they continued with the activity. Although music selections may show subtle glimpses into the teachers’ lives, this interaction was telling. The students seem to be experiencing a different reality than the teacher where they were willing to stand up for their belongings and risking harm to themselves. The teacher seemed to understand this, but didn’t push them to change their minds, potentially acknowledging this difference in lived

As an undergraduate at the University of Alabama, I enjoy conversing on ways that citizens can make a change in public policy regarding the educational system, specifically the public educational system that so many children undergo. Naturally, when I received notification on the upcoming 2015 Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, I immediately began the application process. I was particularly drawn to this specific conference in order to have conversations about, what I feel, is an inadequate educational system plaguing our country. In my college environment, many students come from privileged backgrounds which hinders them from understanding the educational restraints that low income public schools face every day. Being able to talk with people who may or may not share similar views as myself has always been essential for my continuing success. Being part of a minority, I am continuously searching for professional development programs that challenge my analytical thinking on sociopolitical issues affecting this country, such as the educational system and how it correlates with poverty, and other countries across the globe. Every semester, I constantly enroll in classes where I know that I will learn about topics that would not be conversed openly. Thus, this conference will help me to network with other students and hear conflicting perspectives that will help me to speak on these issues in a public environment and, most of all, my college campus.