Blog Post #10

 Blog Post #10

“We have to reclaim these lost and discredited words so that we can use them to name and make sense of truth of what’s going on” (Johnson 13). I find this quote important because we have to SAY THE WORDS. Instead of "sweeping" sensitive topics "under the rug, we4 must talk about them. If we discuss these topics we can make positive changes.

Kohn Lenses: As a future teacher, I want to have open communication in my classroom, build positive relationships with my students, make my classroom a fun environment, and have my students engaged.

Class Culture: It is important to remember that everyone when we meet comes from a different circumstance. When teaching in the future, I will keep these ideas we came up with in class. It is important to know that each child is their own individual with their own circumstances. You do not know the crosses that someone may carry on a daily basis. 

Blog Post #9 "Queering Our Schools" By:

Extended Comments 

    After reading the RI Laws and Policies and Queering Our Schools, I decided to look at some of my peers' blogs to gain a better understanding of the readings. In particular, Liv's blogs always stand out to me. As I read her blog, the same question she discussed resonated with me as well. The question was: How do we create classrooms and schools where each child, parent, and staff member’s unique, beautiful self is appreciated and nurtured?” (23)Similar to Liv, there was also a lack of in the schools that I attended growing up. I attended Catholic school for pre-k to 12th grade. During those years, there was little to no discussion of the LGBTQ+ Community and its history. It was something that was almost never brought up in my schools and when it was the children were silenced because of it. I find this to be concerning because everyone has the right to their own individuality. The silencing of this at such a young age can be harmful in my opinion.

As I continued reading Liv's blog, I gained an appreciation for the quotes that she chose to incorporate into it. One quote that she used was “Community is built by working through differences, not sweeping them under the rug” (25). When explaining this quote, Liv emphasized the phrase "swept under the rug". I think that this is something that occurs far too often. Whether it be due to bullying or because the subject is deemed too controversial. When subjects like this come up, people who deem them uncomfortable believe it's best to not talk about them at all. However, in order to spread awareness and end this cruel stereotype, they need to be discussed.

Attached below is a link to a music video. The song discusses that everyone’s sexual preferences matter no matter what they are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VG1bj4Lj1Q 

Blog Post #8 "Toward Ending Ableism in Education" By: Thomas Hehir

    As I read "Toward Ending Ableism in Education", by Thomas Hehir, I was able to connect it to "Privilege, Power, and Difference" by Alan Johnson.  Hehir defines ableism as "the devaluation of disability". He then goes on to say that this results in societal attitudes. For example, it is better for a child to speak rather than sign. After reading this article, I related it back to a quote from Johnson. "If we feel afraid, it isn't what we don't know that frightens us, it's what we think we do know" (p.16). This quote stood out to me because Johnson explains that we are taught to tiptoe around sensitive subjects. I believe this to be relevant because many people feel as though the discussion of disabilities/ableism is one of those sensitive subjects. However, instead of fearing these uncomfortable situations, we need to reclaim them. 

As I continued reading, I was also able to make a connection between “Defining Racism: Can We Talk?” by Tatum and "Toward Ending Ableism in Education", by Thomas Hehir. One of the main arguments that tatum addresses is that in order for there to be change/end prejudice stereotypes, we must not stay silent. Instead, we must speak up as an advocate for others. “We have to talk about it in order to change it”. These two quotes are similar, but they are both very powerful. They both address that there is still discrimination present within our society. Instead of being prejudiced because of our differences, we should embrace one another’s differences. 

Point for Class: How can we as future educators make sure that ALL of our students are valued.

Despite their race/abelsim how can we be the best teachers for them? 

This is a hyperlink to a video that discusses what ableism is:

https://vimeo.com/492480733 

Examined Life Sentences:

Similar to Hehir's article, I found this video very educational and interesting. I think that one of the things that stood out to me the most was being able to hear about this for a person who is disabled. I think it is one thing for able bodied people to discuss the matter. However, hearing it from someone who lives it is very different.