I am indeed enjoying my time exploring urban education. However, without reservation, I miss North Carolina. I enjoy the reality that I can do something anytime I want .... I can wake up at 3 am and go find something to eat .... the city indeed never sleeps .......... but I miss SWEET TEA, DRIVING, MY FRIENDS, and store personnel who get in trouble for not being cordial (It kills me when they don't say have a nice day :))
Happy NEW YEAR!!!!
I'll be back in 2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
My Updated View on Education
When I initially went into the classroom, I understood the importance of looking at students holistically to understand them. With this understanding, my educational philosophy could be summarized as all children can learn when given the proper educational supports. Furthermore, this philosophy extended to infer that with these educational supports properly implemented the drop-out rate would decrease and the educational achievement gap would begin to close.
Based on my experiences in the classroom, I believe that leaders around the world must realize that the pressure has indeed increased upon most teachers to deliver competitive services to students. However, leaders must recognize that in order to achieve far-reaching results, pressure must be applied proportionately to all parties who have bearing on the success of our children, i.e. principals, assistant principals, counselors, social workers, teachers, assistant teachers, parents, foster parents, etc. We must change the context in which we view education, if we hold out hope that the achievement gap will ever close.
In short, my view on education has become that all children can learn and excel when provided the appropriate supports in all settings by adults who are held accountable. I will end this post by stating that my experiences in the classroom begs an in dept critical investigation into the foster care system to see how they can best supports wards of the state and others they have contact with both during and after their secondary educations.
Stay Tuned ..................
Based on my experiences in the classroom, I believe that leaders around the world must realize that the pressure has indeed increased upon most teachers to deliver competitive services to students. However, leaders must recognize that in order to achieve far-reaching results, pressure must be applied proportionately to all parties who have bearing on the success of our children, i.e. principals, assistant principals, counselors, social workers, teachers, assistant teachers, parents, foster parents, etc. We must change the context in which we view education, if we hold out hope that the achievement gap will ever close.
In short, my view on education has become that all children can learn and excel when provided the appropriate supports in all settings by adults who are held accountable. I will end this post by stating that my experiences in the classroom begs an in dept critical investigation into the foster care system to see how they can best supports wards of the state and others they have contact with both during and after their secondary educations.
Stay Tuned ..................
Graduate School MS.Ed
One of the requirements of the New York City Teaching Fellows, NYCTF, is that you complete your Master's degree at a school of their choosing. I am working on my MS.Ed, Concentration: students with disabilities, at City College of the City University of New York. The degree is 31 hours, and is projected to take two years. However, I intend to finish it in 1.5.
It is strenuous to teach a full day and then rush to classes. However, it has not proven too much. In fact, it has simply allowed me to truly realize how much I enjoy being a student.
This semester, I will conduct the literature review and design my thesis... and as I work -- I will be sure to keep you guys posted .... those who know me already know I will struggle picking one simple topic --- but the experience is sure to be grand for us all!
Stay Tuned .....
It is strenuous to teach a full day and then rush to classes. However, it has not proven too much. In fact, it has simply allowed me to truly realize how much I enjoy being a student.
This semester, I will conduct the literature review and design my thesis... and as I work -- I will be sure to keep you guys posted .... those who know me already know I will struggle picking one simple topic --- but the experience is sure to be grand for us all!
Stay Tuned .....
The Teachers/Administration
I have made many observations in regards to my administrators and the overall teaching faculty. I believe that most people on both sides are working hard to serve our children. However, I feel that some lack the cultural sensitivity required to work with students from desperate backgrounds. With that said, I have had a blasts getting to know my colleagues over the course of the semester -- we do perform like no other school in NYC.
I have met a few colleagues that will become life-long friends ... for sure ... They challenge me when I need to be challenged (professionally and personally) and support me when I need to be supported .......... However, work would not be work if you did not have that pocket of folks that you have no idea why they do what they do :) :)
Stay Tuned ... I'm cranking the post out quickly ... hopefully without too many errors!
I have met a few colleagues that will become life-long friends ... for sure ... They challenge me when I need to be challenged (professionally and personally) and support me when I need to be supported .......... However, work would not be work if you did not have that pocket of folks that you have no idea why they do what they do :) :)
Stay Tuned ... I'm cranking the post out quickly ... hopefully without too many errors!
The Students
My students are truly amazing. I am truly privileged to have the pleasure to instruct them. They range in classification from learning disabled to health impaired. However, they give me a reason to come back everyday. And I'm delighted to know that many have expressed to me that I give them courage to return each day.
And this gives me great joy -- knowing both sides of the coin. Knowing that education is the key to success; but also knowing the abysmal situations that my students face on a daily basis both within the school (gangs, peer pressure, labels, etc.) and within their non-academic lives.
I would say the part that provokes the most pain is knowing that many students have given up on life and that any potential intervention is met with resistance. And -- in many cases, I ask who can blame the child for their outlook considering the circumstances. In fact, one of my students -- who I no longer have -- told me in one of our real conversations that he would be graduating from the streets and not the classroom.Yet, I hold out hope that some of those students who are on the brink of giving up will see me as an example to keep preserving. For example, one of my students after receiving a 100% on a test thanked me and let me know how he was grateful he hung in there and did not give up.
Some funny incidents that I remember (I'm getting old -- so bare with me)
And this gives me great joy -- knowing both sides of the coin. Knowing that education is the key to success; but also knowing the abysmal situations that my students face on a daily basis both within the school (gangs, peer pressure, labels, etc.) and within their non-academic lives.
I would say the part that provokes the most pain is knowing that many students have given up on life and that any potential intervention is met with resistance. And -- in many cases, I ask who can blame the child for their outlook considering the circumstances. In fact, one of my students -- who I no longer have -- told me in one of our real conversations that he would be graduating from the streets and not the classroom.Yet, I hold out hope that some of those students who are on the brink of giving up will see me as an example to keep preserving. For example, one of my students after receiving a 100% on a test thanked me and let me know how he was grateful he hung in there and did not give up.
Some funny incidents that I remember (I'm getting old -- so bare with me)
- The heat came on for the first time -- and I had never heard the kickback sound -- and jumped like hell and they all fell out laughing
- One of my para's wanted to play a game before we left for break-- if you know my school, you know which para -- she asked for a volunteer, got one then proceeded to tell them they must be blindfolded -- she then told them to "take off something you don't go to bed with" -- then the removal begin -- so the person and I started to get nervous and I stopped the game -- but the para ended by saying the only thing that should have been removed was the blindfold (You had to be there -- I died laughing)
- During the first week of school ... a kid threw a piece of paper ... missed the trash can ... and I reacted without processing saying "if you are going to throw shit in my room -- at least make it" -- I thought I would be fired.
- I will try to type them as they happen from now own so I don't forget
High Expectations
I truly believe that teachers MUST raise their expectations if they intend to prepare students to compete in a 21st century world. To this same end, I believe that standards must increase everywhere, not just in the general education setting.
Thus, I instruct my special education students at a high level with maximum educational supports. However, the hidden curriculum behind every lesson that I deliver boils down to creating a love for learning and preparing scholars to think critically and ask questions.
Nevertheless, what I'm finding as I instruct my students is that while higher expectations are preached by everyone few believe that our children can actually succeed. For example, I recently assigned four page papers to all my classes, allowing 4 weeks for completion. Despite the fact that most of my students completed the papers, consultants rebuked the assignment as too rigorous for special education students. (I don't care, as I will continue to have high expectations -- but my concern is that policy makers and consultants must look at all children with the same compassion and optimism that they look at their own children with each night)
In sum, while having high expectations is sometimes met with resistance, high expectations are the only way that we will ever close the achievement gap that exists within this country.
Thus, I instruct my special education students at a high level with maximum educational supports. However, the hidden curriculum behind every lesson that I deliver boils down to creating a love for learning and preparing scholars to think critically and ask questions.
Nevertheless, what I'm finding as I instruct my students is that while higher expectations are preached by everyone few believe that our children can actually succeed. For example, I recently assigned four page papers to all my classes, allowing 4 weeks for completion. Despite the fact that most of my students completed the papers, consultants rebuked the assignment as too rigorous for special education students. (I don't care, as I will continue to have high expectations -- but my concern is that policy makers and consultants must look at all children with the same compassion and optimism that they look at their own children with each night)
In sum, while having high expectations is sometimes met with resistance, high expectations are the only way that we will ever close the achievement gap that exists within this country.
The Individualized Education Plan (I.E.P.)
As many of you know, I teach students with disabilities, or special education, at the Bronx High School for Law and Community Service. At BHLCS, I also serve in the capacity of special education coordinator which requires me to oversee the IEP process.
It is important to note that the rights of students with disabilities are protected under federal legislation, known as IDEA, which was reauthorized in 2004. These rights are important because these students were once treated like every other minority group (asian, black, hispanic, etc.) with regard to education. They were rejected and written off as unfit to mingle with the general population -- and even denied the right to attend school in some cases.
Moreover, when I arrived at BHLCS, the school was out of compliance with the state because IEP's were not up-to-par according to the New York State Board of Education. However, as we go into the new year, thanks to the dynamic IEP team, BHLCS is in compliance -- and working towards becoming the model for the New York City Public Schools.
Our next task is to ensure that every teachers are using the IEP to drive the instruction of students who have been identified as having disabilities. (Most of our students are classified as learning disabled) Also, it should be noted that our school believes that students should truly be in the LRE (least restrictive environment), and we fight to have students in as many general education settings as possible.
Stay Tuned .............
It is important to note that the rights of students with disabilities are protected under federal legislation, known as IDEA, which was reauthorized in 2004. These rights are important because these students were once treated like every other minority group (asian, black, hispanic, etc.) with regard to education. They were rejected and written off as unfit to mingle with the general population -- and even denied the right to attend school in some cases.
Moreover, when I arrived at BHLCS, the school was out of compliance with the state because IEP's were not up-to-par according to the New York State Board of Education. However, as we go into the new year, thanks to the dynamic IEP team, BHLCS is in compliance -- and working towards becoming the model for the New York City Public Schools.
Our next task is to ensure that every teachers are using the IEP to drive the instruction of students who have been identified as having disabilities. (Most of our students are classified as learning disabled) Also, it should be noted that our school believes that students should truly be in the LRE (least restrictive environment), and we fight to have students in as many general education settings as possible.
Stay Tuned .............
Updates Forthcoming
I hope everyone is enjoying this intense period, as 2008 comes to a rapid close.
I will be taking time to update my blog over the next few days to provide you with a picture of how 2008 ended up for me as I begin tackling the problem of educational inequality head-on.
I will be addressing the following topics:
I will be taking time to update my blog over the next few days to provide you with a picture of how 2008 ended up for me as I begin tackling the problem of educational inequality head-on.
I will be addressing the following topics:
- The Individualized Education Plan (I.E.P.)
- High Expectations
- The Students
- The Teachers/Administration
- Graduate School (MS.Ed)
- My Updated View on Education
- Life in the City
- Southern Withdrawals
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